(The Center Square) – Illinois’ meat producers say they are concerned about the prospect of tariffs on their industry, but they’re working to maintain their market share.
President Donald Trump’s tariff policies continue to bring uncertainty to various markets, including agricultural markets and exports.
During an Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee hearing Tuesday afternoon, Jennifer Tyree with the Illinois Pork Producers Association laid out the strengths in her industry.
To the question of prospective tariffs, Tyree said they are a big concern they’re monitoring closely, but Illinois’ pork industry is focused on maintaining their market share.
“Closer to 30% of our product is exported,” Tyree said. “At this point we are holding our own. We are just trying very hard to continue to keep that market share because I think what is our biggest concern is if we lose market share, it’s very hard to get it back.”
Illinois’ pork industry touts an estimated $13.8 billion for the state’s economy and supports more than 57,000 jobs.
Illinois Beef Association Executive Vice President Josh St. Peters told committee members even with challenges, Illinois’ beef production is growing.
“Market prices have actually been very strong for beef production right now and it’s a good time to be feeding and selling cattle,” St. Peters said. “It’s helping buoy farms in Illinois while other commodity prices have been on the decline. But we do need help protecting and preserving this opportunity.”
St. Peters said there are around a million head of cattle in Illinois on any given day spread across approximately 14,000 family farms. He encouraged legislators to support the beef industry.
