The Canadian pork industry is facing mounting concerns as the 30-day freeze on U.S.-imposed tariffs provides only a brief window to seek solutions. Industry leaders warn that if the 25% tariff on Canadian pork exports takes effect in March, it will have severe consequences for farmers, processors, and consumers on both sides of the border.
No Time to Waste
Cam Dahl, General Manager of Manitoba Pork, is calling for an immediate and coordinated response from Canadian agricultural groups. “We cannot waste these 30 days,” Dahl said. “If a tariff war comes to pass, each step in the pork processing chain will face additional costs, ultimately increasing pork prices for consumers.”
The Canadian pork industry relies on an integrated North American supply chain, where pigs from Canada are exported to U.S. facilities for processing before being shipped to various markets, including back to Canada and the U.S. Any disruption in this system could lead to major financial losses and job cuts.
Contracts in Jeopardy
Even the threat of tariffs has already had a chilling effect on the industry. Tara Terpstra, Chair of Ontario Pork, emphasized the financial strain on Canadian producers. “Many are concerned about whether contracts will be renewed under these uncertain conditions,” she said. “These tariffs threaten to disrupt a sector that supports thousands of jobs and contributes to food security across North America.”
Cross-Border Collaboration Needed
Dahl and other industry leaders stress the need for collaboration between provincial governments, industry groups, and U.S. stakeholders. “We need a strategic plan for agriculture and food trade that ensures stability,” Dahl said. Manitoba Pork is actively engaging with partners in Iowa and Minnesota to push the message that tariffs and border disruptions would be detrimental to farmers and consumers in both countries.
In addition to potential tariffs, the industry is also grappling with broader trade uncertainties, including discussions on voluntary country-of-origin labeling (COOL) and the upcoming renegotiation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) in 2026. Darcy Fitzgerald, Executive Director of Alberta Pork, said these issues add further instability to an already tense situation. “It’s a lot of trade issues to navigate all at once,” he said.
Long-Term Implications
Bill Alford, General Manager of H@MS Marketing Services Co-op, highlighted a key concern for producers in Manitoba: the lack of alternative markets for live hogs. “Overnight, there’s no real alternative to the U.S. market for Manitoba’s exports,” Alford said. A prolonged trade dispute could force the industry to rethink its long-term strategies and explore diversification.
Despite these challenges, Fitzgerald remains optimistic about the strong relationships between Canadian and American pork producers. “We work well together, and we depend on each other to move pork back and forth. The issue isn’t with producers or processors—it’s an administrative hurdle that we need to address collaboratively.”
With less than 30 days before the tariff decision, Canadian pork industry leaders continue to push for a resolution that will protect farmers, jobs, and trade stability across North America.
