Event Summary: The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) played an active role in the Third Intercontinental Congress of Pig Farmers, held from May 14-18 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Key NPPC representatives included President and Minnesota pork producer Lori Stevermer, President-elect and Ohio pork producer Duane Stateler, Vice President and Iowa pork producer Rob Brenneman, and Past President and Missouri pork producer Scott Hays, who chairs NPPC’s Trade Policy Committee. NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys and Vice President of Government Affairs Maria C. Zieba also attended the event.
Congress Highlights: The Congress brought together pork industry leaders from around the world to discuss industry challenges and best practices to enhance business outcomes. Key topics included animal health, biosecurity, succession planning, and sustainability practices. A significant outcome was NPPC accepting an invitation from the Mexican pork organization Opormex to be the honored guest for the 2025 Congress.
Trilateral Meeting: At the start of the Congress, leaders from the Canadian Pork Council, Opormex, and NPPC held a trilateral meeting to discuss critical issues in North American pork production. Topics included animal welfare and health, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to mitigate the risk of animal diseases.
NPPC’s Perspective: The Mexican Pork Congress offers a vital platform for pork industry representatives to exchange ideas, address mutual challenges, and explore collaborative opportunities. Maintaining strong relationships and open communication with Canada and Mexico is crucial, as Mexico was the top market for U.S. pork in 2023, with Canada ranking fourth.
Significance: The strong trade relationships between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are essential for the U.S. pork industry. In 2023, Mexico was the leading market for U.S. pork, both in volume and value, while Canada imported nearly 220,000 metric tons of U.S. pork worth approximately $876 million.
