Swine genetics firm sounds the alarm for the US pork industry

The US pork industry faces declining consumer interest, with swine genetics firm Genesus warning that prioritising leaner pork has reduced flavour and stalled consumption. Genesus calls for quality improvements to avoid an industry decline, while the National Pork Board promotes studies on pork’s flavour potential and cooking methods to boost appeal. Last year, Pig Progress reported Genesus President Jim Long’s assessment that breeding ever-leaner pork has been a big mistake. He stated that “many [pig farmers] know the pork they produce, they do not want to eat…many restaurants do not have loin on the menu. Why?… We all know the problem. We are producing loins that taste like crap.” Looking at hard numbers, he pointed out that from 1960 to 2023, whilst annual average chicken consumption per person in the US increased from 28 lbs (12.7 kg) to over 100 lbs (45 kg), pork dropped from 59 lbs (26.8kg) to about 54 lbs (24.5 kg). Now Genesus is again just sounding the alarm. Director of ...