Agricultural News
National Pork Board CEO Bill Even Insists US Pork Industry Growing at a Dramatic Pace
Fri, 24 Feb 2017 17:35:35 CST
Kicking things off at the Oklahoma Pork Congress in Norman Friday, was National Pork Board CEO Bill Even, who gave attendees an update on the NPB's recent activities since the former South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture accepted his new role roughly seven months ago. Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Associate Farm Director Carson Horn was there to speak with Even about some of the changes he's made and his outlook on where the US pork industry is headed.
"The National Pork Board has got a strategic plan that really is focused on those three pillars - how do you build consumer trust, how do you grow production sustainably and then how do you grow demand as well," he said. "Those are in line with our statutory obligations."
In order to best serve the producers that fund the NPB, Even has taken measures to meet goals guided by those three missions, more efficiently and effectively, by merging and streamlining certain operations within the organization. Part of this effort, entails reviewing and refreshing the NPB's domestic marketing tactics and strategies.
"One example of something the Pork Board has done quite well is our emphasis on multicultural marketing, particularly speaking with the Hispanic population in the US," Even reported.
According to him, the Caucasian demographic is only projected to increase over the next several decades by about 1 percent. On the other hand, the Hispanic population is expected to grow by nearly 160 percent.
"That's really good news for the pork producers and the pork industry because the Hispanic culture is a culture that enjoys pork, enjoys eating it as part of their family culture," he said. "Our opportunity to engage with this very young demographic really bodes well for domestic pork consumption."
In fact, since taking the helm at NPB, Even has lead the charge in ramping up promotion efforts focused on the Hispanic community, tripling NPB's investment. He believes this is a wise decision for a quickly developing industry.
"Number one takeaway is that the pork industry in the US is growing and growing at a pretty dramatic pace," Even pointed out. "That doesn't mean there aren't going to be growing pains, but you're much better off to be part of a growing industry then one that's on the decline."
Listen to Horn's complete interview with National Pork Board CEO Bill Even at the Oklahoma Pork Congress, by clicking or tapping the LISTEN BAR below.
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