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Rabobank Forecasts 3% Expansion Of Canadian Pig Herd This Year

Rabobank expects the global pork market will remain weak in the first quarter of 2016.

The bank's five nation hog price index is forecast to bottom-out in the coming months, hitting it's lowest point since 2006.

One of the nations in that index is China.

Rabobank's forecast calls for pork supply there to stabilize or even decline, suggesting China may further increase pork imports in 2016.

The report calls for a 2 per cent increase in U-S pork production this year.

However, it says any boost in American hog prices will have to come from stronger exports.

As for Canada, Rabobank is predicting a 3 per cent expansion of the pig herd this year.

The bank also believes ractopamine-free producers in this country could cash in on export opportunities to China in 2016.

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