Coharie Hog Farms Inc. said this year’s outbreak of the H1N1 virus, often called swine flu has depressed the market for the other white meat. The company filed for Chapter 11 protection Friday in Wilson, N.C.
“Even though this virus is spread by humans and not by hogs or pigs, the outbreak caused a sharp drop in pork sales,” the company said in court papers. Slumping demand for pork in 2009 came after feed prices “skyrocketed” in 2008. The combination has caused Coharie to lose $13.3 million last year and $17 million so far this year.
More infomration on this story at the Wall Street Journal.
