Rick Préjet, Chair of Manitoba Pork and a long-time Manitoba hog producer, recently reflected on the industry’s progress, pressures, and prospects. Speaking after a meeting with the Chinese ambassador to Canada, he described a frank discussion about trade tensions and their direct impact on agriculture.
The Chinese ambassador met with a number of agricultural organizations in Winnipeg, MB to explain his government’s position. Préjet said the message was clear: China wants Canada to drop tariffs on electric vehicles, which Beijing views as inconsistent with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. “They made it very clear they felt Canada was out of line,” he explained. “They’ve retaliated, and now the ball is in our court.”
Préjet noted that Canadian agriculture is feeling the pain from this trade friction. Retaliatory tariffs have affected multiple sectors—peas, canola, and pork among them—cutting into export revenues and undermining farm profitability. “We can’t just blame the Americans,” he said. “We’ve got to fix our own problems. Agriculture can’t keep paying the price for other sectors.”
Despite these external challenges, the Manitoba hog industry remains on solid footing.
“Margins are very good right now,” Préjet said. “Over the last year, we’ve seen record returns that encouraged producers to reinvest in barns built in the 1990s.” Producers have been upgrading slats, feeders, and ventilation systems, strengthening the foundation for future production. “The base in Manitoba that’s producing pigs is strong,” he added. “People are staying in the business and continuing to invest.”

Still, one theme shadows this optimism – uncertainty. Préjet heard the same concern during recent tri-national meetings in Mexico involving Canadian, U.S., and Mexican pork leaders. “In agriculture, there’s always uncertainty -weather, markets – but uncertainty created by governments is the one we need to reduce,” he said. “Producers are ready to invest, but uncertainty is holding a lot of people back.”
Labour supply is one of the biggest sources of that uncertainty. Skilled labour shortages, especially in rural and small-town Western Canada, have become chronic. “It’s not just about numbers,” Préjet stressed. “We need people with the knowledge and experience to manage a hog barn profitably.” He compared the situation to other sectors facing similar gaps – such as a restaurateur near Quebec City who can’t open full hours for lack of staff. “It’s the same story,” he said. “Without a skilled workforce, productivity suffers.”
Another major discussion point in the industry is the National Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs. Manitoba Pork, along with producers across the country, has urged regulators to maintain the current code rather than impose new requirements.
“Producers say, leave it alone,” Préjet explained. “We already face a mandatory switch to group housing by 2029, which will cost farms millions. We can’t add another round of capital spending that doesn’t improve animal care.”
He emphasized that producers have adapted to past changes and are committed to high welfare standards. “The current system works,” he said. “We don’t need new regulations that make production more expensive without a clear benefit.”
While national uncertainty continues, Préjet credited Manitoba’s provincial government for its pragmatic approach. “Premier Wab Kinew and his ministers understand what it takes to be a successful province,” he said.

“Exports drive Manitoba’s economy – agriculture, energy, and other sectors – and focus on enabling that growth.” He praised Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn and Trade Minister Malaya Marcelino for maintaining open communication with producers and prioritizing industry consultation.
“They understand our situation and look for ways to advance our industry sustainably,” he said.
On the trade front, Préjet sees reasons for cautious optimism. International partners appear committed to keeping the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) intact.
“Everyone I talked to in Mexico was on the same page – this trade agreement works,” he said. “Republican states in the U.S. love it because it supports their farmers and businesses. There’s strong pressure on Washington to leave it alone.”
He believes that despite political noise, practical economics will prevail. “Politics gets in the way sometimes, but agriculture contributes too much to ignore,” he said.
“Governments are realizing they must respect what agriculture brings to their economies.”
As 2026 approaches, Manitoba’s hog sector stands at a crossroads of opportunity and risk. Strong prices, solid production, and supportive provincial policies provide momentum. But global trade uncertainty, labour shortages, and costly regulatory expectations remain real challenges.
Préjet remains confident that resilience and collaboration will carry the industry forward. “We have a strong base of producers,” he said. “If we can reduce uncertainty and keep our trade relationships stable, there’s every reason to believe the future will be positive for Manitoba hog farmers.” •
— By Harry Siemens