It's late 2023 - I just saw in the news, more announcements about Chinese owned Smithfield Farms closing more processing plants and farms. This year it has already closed operations in California, North Carolina and now Utah. They say the operations are not making enough profit.
It’s always sad to hear about closures and all the jobs impacted. These Utah operations are in a rural area so there are not many alternatives. (Pausing to send a prayer for them and any others facing job losses …)
With the economic pressures that families are facing, the pork industry is surprised that they are not seeing pork demand increases. Beef and chicken market prices are climbing faster than pork relative to inflation. Across the industry, they are reporting market prices below breakeven. The cost of feed is the driver, so hopefully it does not lead to compromises that negatively impact the quality of the pork we get. It will add to pressures to consolidate further. It is expected that there will be more consolidations next year as smaller players can’t make enough money. The bigger Chinese, Brazilian or globalist owned companies in this industry can gain more control.
This announcement is hard on the heels of the release of the UN’s roadmap for agriculture to reach net zero emissions and to reduce meat consumption to achieve the commitments in the Paris climate accords.
I also saw several articles come across my feed this week on how bullish alternative protein companies (like Meati Foods, Konscious Foods, Tofurky, Beyond the Butcher) and lab created pork (like Clever Carnivore). Investors are putting money into these industries over real foods even though the consumer demand is not there yet. It’s disappointing.
I know these events are not related, but it feels like it. Companies forcefully shaping the marketplace. Reduce and consolidate to drive up prices and change consumer behaviors, whether we like it or not.
It is up to us - any bacon, ham and pork loving consumers - to fight back from these pressures. We need to vote with our forks (and our wallets) to support the companies that share our values.
If you have a local butcher or local farmers to get pork from - AWESOME! (If you use an online butcher / farmer please share some information in the comments on them so others can benefit from ordering from them.) The time we bought half a pig from a local farmer or when my brother-in-law shared some wild boar, it was the tastiest pork we ever had!
If you are like most and need to get your pork from the grocery store, here's a little bit more information so you can make decisions on what company you give your money to. They do have to declare country of origin, so do make sure you have American Pork regardless of which company you decide to purchase.
When you look to buy raw pork (not processed like bacon, ham, sausage). There are only a few major players that are publicly traded with majority globalist shareholders, owned outside the US. These are
- Smithfield Foods is owned by a Chinese company (pork related brands are: Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan’s, Farmer John, Farmland, Armour, Carando, Cook’s, Curly’s, Gwaltney, Healthy Ones, John Morrell, Kretschmar, & Margherita)
- Tyson Foods is a publicly traded American company with globalist major shareholders (pork related brands are: Wright, Hillshire Farms, Jimmy Dean).
- JBS USA is owned by a Brazilian company (pork related brands are: Swift Meats & Pilgrim’s Pride)
- Seaboard Farms is in a holding company that is traded on US Stock market. >70% of the shares are owned by Seaboard Flour LLC – which is solely owned by Bresky family, globalist institutional shareholders are minority (pork related brands are: Prairie Fresh, Daily’s Premium Meats, Seaboard Farms, St Joe Pork)
- NOTE: Applegate / Hormel & Oscar Mayer / Kraft Heinz process meat, neither produces pork.
When you go to the grocery store and buy non-branded raw pork that is indicated as being from the US, you are most likely supporting a private American farmer, co-op or farmer working through a larger management company.
As you look for bacon, ham or sausage, the major brands are owned by globalist or foreign owned companies. Look for small boutique brands, private label or use your butcher if you are looking to Buy American.
Once you finally find a company works for you and your family and is a tasty pork product - there is one remaining concern. It is unknown if the pig received a mRNA vaccine, since there is no disclosure required on the label. There is growing evidence that the vaccines are killing the pigs - so what happens when humans eat it? The industry really needs to be listening to the consumers more, at least get us labelling to make a choice! As the states debate making laws around use of mRNA and other bioengineering technology, please add your voice to make sure we get at least transparency in labelling.
I know pork is not a food that everyone believes fits within their dietary guidelines. In my house – we LOVE pork! It is consumed more than any other meat – daily as breakfast ham or bacon plus multiple times per month for dinner. I’m always able to count on finding an affordable cut. We also keep lard or bacon grease on hand to use instead of butter in a lot of recipes. If you haven't ever tried it ... lard or bacon grease makes great popcorn!
One thing that gives me hope is that the global trend for meat (and pork) consumptions continues to grow. Maybe the consumers can shape the market instead of the companies!
We all define Buy American a little differently based on the food product. Some are satisfied so long as it is made or grown in the US. Others want to avoid giving globalists or foreign companies our hard earned money. Others want to ensure that they are supporting companies that share values or are using technology in a way that is aligned with values. Regardless of how you define Buy American, what we all share is a desire to Make America Great Again!
Vote with your fork (and your wallet)! Eat Ancestral Foods as God Intended! Real pork from a pig - not some lab created alternate protein or meat protein imitations.
