U.S. pork producers are under immense financial pressure and the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the situation, NPPC explained in a letter to Congress on Tuesday.
“The financial situation of U.S. hog farmers is perilous, and their livelihoods are at stake...If the problems in the sector are left unchecked, without rapid government intervention, the situation will spiral out of control,” NPPC explained.
Labor shortages, trade retaliation, and logistics impacts and unfavorable market conditions were issues highlighted in the letter, all of those issues are made worse by the COVID-19 outbreak.
“U.S. pork producers need your help in asking USDA to intervene in the market to ensure that our hog farmers survive and that American consumers are able to continue to purchase high-quality U.S. pork at affordable prices,” the letter added.