The Full Picture

Our Impact

The North Carolina pork industry’s impact reaches far beyond the farm, across the environment, the economy, our local communities, and the world.

01 Environmental Impact

Our pork producers are committed to sustainability and protecting the planet.

State officials annually inspect every hog farm in the state. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) is the lead stewardship agency for the preservation and protection of North Carolina’s exceptional natural resources.

State Inspections

Every hog farm is inspected annually by state officials from NC DEQ to ensure compliance with stringent environmental standards.

Highly Regulated

The North Carolina pork industry is one of the most highly regulated in the country. Producers must comply with environmental regulations at local, state, and federal levels.

Innovation

NC producers have adopted innovative technology and practices to lower their negative impacts on the environment, doing more with less.

Did You Know?

There has been a 22-year moratorium on building new pig farms in North Carolina.

Despite this, NC pork producers continue to play a significant role in supporting the state’s agricultural economy, contributing billions to rural communities.

02 Economic Impact

Pork is an economic powerhouse.

North Carolina’s hog and pork processing industry generates more than $11 billion in economic output for the state, with pork production and processing categories directly contributing $7.1 billion in sales.

For every job in pork production, an estimated 2.2 additional jobs are created, meaning the industry supports more than 46,000 total jobs in North Carolina.

$11.2B

Economic Impact

$7.1B

Direct Sales

42,000

Full-Time Jobs

03 Local Impact

Pork has a long history in NC. We’re proud of that continuing legacy.

Impacting Education

Through educational seminars, we provide pork producers with current information from animal scientists, veterinarians, researchers, and experts in waste management, food safety, animal health, and environmental sciences.

NCPC also provides scholarships to students wanting to further their education.

Impacting Community

Our producers are involved in their communities as firefighters, teachers, coaches, and so much more. Committed to bettering the communities where they live and work, their impact goes beyond producing protein.

NCPC works with producers and businesses to give back to local communities financially, and of course, through donating pork.

Worldwide

Global Impact

Feeding our neighbors here at home and around the world. The vast majority of pork products produced in North Carolina stay right here in the United States, but there is a growing demand for American pork around the world.

“From North Carolina barbecue to Japanese Tonkatsu, pork brings home a taste of the world that we can all enjoy.”

$650M

Annual NC Exports

10,000

Jobs Supported

The vast majority of pork products produced in North Carolina stay right here in the United States. But there is a growing demand for American pork around the world, a testament to the quality and safety of the food we produce. It also reflects an increasing appetite for pork, which is the world’s most popular meat.

Importers of U.S. Pork

Regardless of where we live, food brings us together. It’s an experience. And pork allows us to connect with others. Each year, North Carolina alone exports about $650 million worth of pork. In 2022, the top 5 countries to import US pork were Mexico, Japan, China, Canada, and South Korea.

Funding Families, Feeding Nations

Pork exports allow our farm families to provide safe, nutritious protein to families across the state and around the world. It keeps agriculture and our rural economy here at home in NC strong and healthy.

The NC Pork Council strongly supports free trade agreements that will expand the market for U.S. pork exports by eliminating tariffs and other trade barriers. Exports raise the value of each hog sold and boost the bottom line of pork producers, and support nearly 10,000 local jobs.

Meet the People Behind the Pork

Learn more about the farmers, families, and communities that make North Carolina the 3rd largest pork producer in the nation.