There are approximately 84,000 hogs offered for sale week beginning April 3. This dramatic reduction impedes our ability to fulfill our obligations and to take advantage of other markets. View a summary of the week's statistics . This is as result of changes in the U.S. National Cost prices. The slaughter level in the U.S. is estimated at 1,871,000 head this week, up 8,000 from last week.
Processors continue to experience negative margins in Canada.
There are some reductions in slaughter for next week as result. The increase in hog costs continues to outpace the change in wholesale value of the cuts. The Canadian dollar has gained 145 basis points this week in relation to the U.S. dollar and this has negatively impacted Ontario prices. The near term and long term contracts experienced similar change. Quebec sales for the week were 4,005 head lower than the previous week.