U.S. pork industry boosts jobs and economy

Jul 24, 2024

Report highlights industry's economic impact

By Farms.com

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) released a report showcasing the U.S. pork industry's substantial impact on the nation's economy.

The industry employs hundreds of thousands of people in various sectors, from farming and processing to transportation and related services. It generates over $62 billion annually and supports over $37 billion in personal income.

Pig farmers play a crucial role, raising millions of hogs each year. In 2023, pig farms sold over 149 million hogs, contributing significantly to the agricultural sector. The industry also relies heavily on feed inputs like corn and soybean meal, boosting demand for these crops.

The report highlights the importance of pork exports. Roughly a quarter of U.S. pork is exported globally, valued at over $8 billion in 2023. This international trade creates jobs not only in the pork industry but also in related sectors like shipping and logistics.

Despite recent challenges like increased production costs, the U.S. pork industry remains a powerful economic engine. It fosters job growth, supports rural communities, and contributes significantly to the nation's agricultural sector and international trade.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.