Canadian hog inventories were higher as of mid-year, with increased production outpacing gains in both slaughter and international exports.
Statistics Canada reported Monday that producers had 14 million hogs on farms as of July 1, up 0.6% from the same date a year earlier. Inventories increased in both Eastern and Western Canada, StatsCan said.
On Jan. 1, Canadian producers had 13.9 million hogs on farms, down 0.8% from a year earlier.
Producers reported 1.2 million sows and gilts on July 1, up 1.2% from a year earlier, while the number of boars increased 0.7% to 15,400 head. Meanwhile, the pig crop rose to 15.8 million in the first half of 2026, a 4.2% year-over-year increase.
At the same time, demand for Canadian hogs remained firm at home and abroad.
Live hog exports climbed 10% year over year during the January-to-June period to 3.8 million head, supported by favourable prices. Domestic processing also increased. Canadian hog slaughter reached 11.2 million head in the first half of the year, up 2% from the same period in 2025, reflecting strong domestic demand for pork, StatsCan said.
