Pork Farming in Canada: 15 Facts & Statistics

15 Canadian Pork Farming Facts

#1 - The pork industry is the fourth-largest farming sub-sector in Canada, contributing immensely to the economy, creating jobs in rural and urban areas, and providing high-quality protein for Canadian families as well as millions of people worldwide ^[3]

#2 - Canadian pig farms supports 31,000 farm jobs, which underpin another 103,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs nationwide ^[3]

#3 - In total, Canada’s pork sector supports 134,000 jobs across the country ^[3]

#4 - Canada's pork sector generates approximately $23.8 billion in economic activity annually ^[3]

#5 - Canada was home to nearly 14 million hogs on 7,160 farms in 2023 ^[1]

#6 - Quebec (31%), Ontario (26%), and Manitoba (24%) account for 81% of Canada’s total hog inventory ^[1]

#7 - Canada is the seventh largest pork producer in the world, accounting for 1.8% of global production with 2.09 total metric tons produced in 2024/25 ^[2]

#8 - Between 2015 and 2024, Canada saw compound average growth in pork production of 0.94% ^[2]

#9 - Canada’s 10-year pork production average is 2.02 million metric tons ^[2]

#10 - Canada produced close to 2.3 million tonnes of pork in 2023 ^[1]

#11 - Canada exported 1.35 million tonnes of pork valued at $4.71 billion in 2023 ^[1]

#12 - Canada exported 6.75 million hogs, of which 60% were weanlings, valued at $635.3 million in 2023 ^[1]

#13 - Canada exported pork to more than 94 countries in 2019 with Japan (1), US (2), China (3), Mexico (4), South Korea (5), Philippines (6), Taiwan (7), Australia (8), New Zealand (9) and Hong Kong (10) being the largest consumers (latest available data) ^[4]

#14 - Canada also imports significant quantities of pork; in 2023, nearly 257,000 tonnes of pork were imported into Canada, valued at $1.64 billion ^[1]

#15 - Farm cash receipts from hog sales totaled $5.9 billion in 2023, accounting for 5.9% of Canada’s total receipts ^[1]

Canada’s Pork Farming Regulations

Canadian pork farmers comply with some of the most rigorous regulatory standards around. Overseen by the Canadian Pork Council and Agriculture Canada, these regulations ensure the highest product quality and animal welfare standards.

Here are some of the best practices followed by Canadian pork farmers:

Animal Care and Welfare: Farmers adhere to codes of practice set by the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC), which outlines specific standards for housing, feeding, and care to ensure the well-being of pigs ^[5].
State-of-the-Art Farming Techniques: Most farms employ innovative feeding methods to optimize livestock nutrition, improving both productivity and animal health ^[6].
Biosecurity Measures: Strict pork farming regulations are in place in Canada to prevent the spread of diseases. This includes controlling farm access, quarantining new animals, and regular health check-ups ^[6].
Focus on Quality: Pork producers follow stringent quality control protocols, ensuring safe and high-quality pork for consumers in Canada and abroad ^[6].
Training and Education: Farmers continually update their knowledge by participating in workshops and training programs provided by agricultural organizations such as the Canadian Pork Council and NFACC ^[5][6].

Pig farmers follow the Canadian Quality Assurance (CQA) program—now replaced by the Canadian Pork Excellence initiative—to monitor food safety and traceability. They also maintain meticulous records of medication use, vaccination programs, and feed compositions to align with federal food safety requirements.

Additionally, strict biosecurity protocols mitigate disease risks, such as disinfecting equipment and clothing between farm visits. Regular audits and certifications ensure compliance, keeping Canadian pork among the safest and most reliable in the world.

These are just a few of several quality-control measures utilized by Canada's pork farming families!

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Canada’s pig farmers help put food on the table for millions of families here at home and worldwide, something all Canadians should support.

Join us today to learn more about Canada’s world-class natural resource industries and the hard-working families that make these key economic sectors possible.