| | Over the past decade (1999-2008), Alberta was the fourth largest exporter of pork in Canada and the third largest exporter of live hogs. Quebec remained the number one exporter of pork; and Manitoba led the nation in exports of live hogs. During this period, Alberta accounted for an average 15% of the Canadian total value of pork exports and 13% of live hog exports. Both categories combined, represented on average, $360 million or 6.4% of the province's total agri-food exports (1999-2008).
During the past ten years, exports of pork experienced periods of significant growth, as well as notable declines in recent years. Between 1999 and 2006, the province's exports of pork more than tripled in quantity, from 41,955 tonnes, to a record 159,132 tonnes. Following this increase, pork exports declined 18% to 130,679 tonnes in 2007, and another 11%, to 116,623 tonnes in 2008. Also, in 2008, the value of exported pork declined by just over one per cent from 2007, to $342 million. Based on the ten-year average value, the top five markets for Alberta's pork were Japan, the United States, South Korea, Australia and Mexico. In 2008, higher exports were reported for all of these markets, with the exception of the United States (down 48%). Japan has been Alberta's largest market for pork since 2001, replacing the United States which used to be the major market. On average, more than one-half of Alberta pork exports were destined to Japan and 30% to the United States (1999-2008). With respect to other countries, record increases in value of exported of pork were noted for Hong Kong, New Zealand, Taiwan and Russia in 2008. The majority of exported pork has been in the form of fresh or chilled and frozen swine cuts (92.5%), followed by swine carcasses (4.2%), and edible offal (3.3%).
Exports of live hogs reached a peak of 732,113 head or $124 million in 2001. Following this increase, the value of exported hogs has declined mainly due to low prices. Between 2004 and 2008, Alberta's revenue from exported hogs dropped from $73 million to $50 million. In 2008, the value of hogs declined 7.0% from 2007, while the number of hog exports increased over one per cent to 611,515 head. The United States remains the major market for Alberta's live hogs.
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