DES MOINES, IOWA — Following the conclusion of the 2024 World Pork Expo, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) estimated that 12,000 people attended the event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

The association said more than 400 industry exhibitors from North America, Europe and Asia displayed pork industry products throughout the event.

Highlights from the NPPC included its policy panel, which covered current legislative, regulatory, legal and trade priorities for the pork industry. Some emphasized topics included the ongoing fight for the 2024 Farm Bill, California’s Prop 12, agricultural labor, an enhanced swine traceability system, international trade and foreign animal disease preparation and prevention.

Some speakers from the expo included Jennifer Moffitt, undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs at the USDA, and Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig. Each spoke at two exclusive NPPC Strategic Investment Program (SIP) luncheons. 

Lawrence MacAulay, Canada’s minister of agriculture and agri-food was also in attendance at Pork Expo.

Another initiative launched during the expo was the “Young Pork Advocates Issue Meet,” a speaking competition for young people aged 17-22. Participants discussed the industry issues and developed motions to address subjects relevant to pork. 

Following two rounds of competition, four finalists competed for the top honor with Emma Kuhns winning a $2,500 scholarship and a trip to Washington, DC, for NPPC’s fall legislative fly-in. NPPC said the other finalists — Amanda Ostrem, Graca Goettsch, and Bella Stouffer— will also receive scholarships.