Today's U.S. Pork Industry

Today’s U.S. pork industry is experiencing phenomenal growth as it continues to meet worldwide consumer demand for what has become the most popular meat product. The key to this growth is the American pork producer, who continues to incorporate high-quality standards into every level of his or her business.

Pork production in the United States is a vital part of the economy. Nearly 19 billion pounds were processed from about 97 million hogs in 2001. The economic impact of the industry on rural America is immense. Annual farm sales typically exceed $11 billion, while the retail value of pork sold to consumers reaches $38 billion each year.

Pork also provides employment well beyond the farm. The U.S. pork industry is responsible for over $72 billion in total domestic economic activity. In addition, the pork industry supports over 800,000 jobs and adds over $27 billion of value to basic production inputs such as corn and soybeans.

There are approximately 85,760 pork operations today compared with nearly 3 million in the 1950s. Farms have grown in size; nearly 80 percent of the hogs are grown on farms, that produce 5,000 or more hogs per year.

Major technological advancements have allowed for production to grow dramatically over the years. North Carolina, a state not known for pig production, has now become the second largest pork producing state in the country through the use of genetic capabilities for higher reproductive efficiencies and enhanced lean muscle growth, capturing economies of size, and developing pig raising methods that have controlled diseases and therefore improved productive efficiency. Many producers in other areas of the nation have adopted these same methods. In addition, U.S. pork producers are increasingly taking advantage of new state-of-the-art innovations designed to provide an environmentally efficient operation that are ensures safe, high quality food for consumers.

Today the United States is one of the world’s leading pork-producing countries and is second to only Canada as the largest exporter, tied with Denmark. U.S. production accounts for about 10 percent of the world’s supply.