Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Pork Featured Articles

Better Pork magazine is published bimonthly. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Pork belly futures a thing of the past

Monday, October 3, 2011

The mid-July notice from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange was simple and terse.
"Because of a prolonged lack of trading volume and after significant discussion with industry participants, CME will be delisting Frozen Pork Bellies Futures and Options effective Monday July 18, 2011."

According to Minyanville Media, which reports on commodity trading, pork belly trading, which celebrated its 50th birthday this year, was the most recognized and glamorous of the commodity trading contracts. Pork bellies, frozen in the winter when demand was low, were thawed in the summer to meet the high demand when bacon and tomato sandwiches were peaking. The seasonal demand produced a need to hedge against higher prices. A single contract consisted of 40,000 pounds of frozen trimmed bellies from which bacon was made.

Minyanville said trading in hog bellies declined for a number of reasons. The packing industry has switched to fixed price contracting. A few huge companies producing both pigs and bacon dominate. On top of that, demand is no longer seasonal, with hamburger chains adding bacon to make their sandwiches more palatable. BP
 

Current Issue

June 2026

Better Pork Magazine

Farms.com Swine News

Ag in the House: June 8 – 12

Friday, June 19, 2026

During question period on June 8, a Bloc MP wanted answers related to a provision about agriculture placed inside Bill C-30, the Spring Economic Update Implementation Act. Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, the MP for Rimouski—La Matapédia, wanted to know if the government will remove parts of the... Read this article online

Canadian Meat Council Welcomes Food Security Strategy

Thursday, June 18, 2026

The Canadian Meat Council (CMC) has welcomed the federal government’s newly announced National Food Security Strategy, highlighting its support for measures designed to strengthen Canada’s domestic food processing sector. At the same time, the organization has expressed concerns about... Read this article online

Wild boar eradication efforts continue across Alberta

Thursday, June 18, 2026

Province reports nearly 600 animals removed since 2018 Alberta’s Wild Boar Control Program says efforts to eradicate invasive wild boar from the province are continuing to advance, with nearly 600 animals removed since 2018. In an update shared through the Alberta Invasive Species... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2026 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top