On Air Now

Chinese pork tariffs expected hurt bottom line for area farmers

Illinois pork producers say they don’t need anything that will get them a worse price for their hogs. That includes a proposed 25 percent tariff from China. Illinois is the fourth largest pork producing state in the country. China is Illinois’ second largest market for pigs. Henry County hog farmer Gary Asay says adding a 25 percent tax to every pig or pound of meat that Illinois sends to China would all but eliminate the small profit farmers make.

“A hog farmer would usually make about $10 to $20 per hog going to market,” says Gary, “when the animal is actually worth $150 going to market. So it’s very small percentages.”

Asay says Illinois farmers, and all farmers for that matter, depend on foreign markets for their products. He says more than 25 percent of Illinois’ hogs are exported, it’s about 50 percent of the state’s soybeans, and almost as much corn. China is getting a good chunk of all of it.

Recommended Posts

Loading...

Share Contact

contact-chris-mcintyre-qr-code