What are the economic benefits of pork production?
A. Pork production is a vital and growing part of the nation’s economy and the industry’s economic impact on rural America is especially significant. Annual farm sales usually exceed $11 billion, with the retail value of pork totaling about $30 billion. When the economic impact of wages and profits spent in other sectors is included, pork producers are responsible for generating more than $66 billion in total domestic economic activity. Through direct, indirect, and induced effects, the pork industry supports over 600,000 jobs and adds nearly $27.4 billion of value to production inputs. Efficient production methods keep consumer pork prices in the United States among the lowest in the world. The pork industry also produces non-food items used in medicines, and cleaning agents. Pharmaceutical by-products include insulin, various hormones, materials used to dress wounds and burns, and replacement heart valves. Industrial by-products include cleaners, adhesives, proteins, dyes, insulation
