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U.S. pork sector feeling pinch of low unemployment

The U.S. pork industry is suffering from a shortage of workers.

National Pork Producers Council manager of competition, labor, and tax issues Christina Banoub says the low unemployment rate is causing problems nationwide.

“But in the top ten pork producing states the average is 2.9 percent unemployment.”

Speaking to Brownfield at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, she says there are two job openings for every person available.

“Things are really tight and we are continuing to try and rely on agricultural guest workers, but that also has its own stresses of getting those visas and getting those workers here. So it’s just tough all around.”

Banoub says Congress is considering reforms to the H-2A visa program to remove seasonal requirements opening the door for a year-round labor pool.