W10: Weekly Pork Update
Global
The FAO Meat Price Index Continues to Fall Globally (Mar 6)
The FAO meat price index stood at an average of 112.0 points in February, a slightly lower figure (0.1 points and 0.1%) than in January and 1.9 points (1.7%) below its value a year ago. International pig meat prices rose, supported by market concerns about the low availability of pigs ready for slaughter, in the context of increasing domestic demand in Europe.
Long-Term Projections for World Meat Production (Mar 9)
Globally, pork production is expected to reach 126.2M MT in 2031, a value that represents a growth of 13.4% compared to the estimated total in 2022. Compared to other proteins, pork is expected to grow at a faster pace than beef, although outpaced by growth in poultry production. For Brazil and Mexico, the main countries in the region, volumes are expected to reach 5.4MT and 1.9MT in 2031, which means a growth compared to 2022 of 20.8 and 24.7%, respectively.
Europe
European Pork Exports Fell 15% in 2022 (Mar 7)
In 2022, the European Union exported a total of 5.203M MT of pork and pork products, representing a 15% decrease compared to 2021, when, suffering a smaller decrease (-3%), EU exports exceeded 6M MT for the second time. The main cause of this significant decrease in exports was China, the leading destination, which imported 40% less pork and pork products from the EU last year (1.542M MT in 2022 vs. 2.575M MT in 2021). After reaching a 52% share in 2020, the share has been decreasing to 42% in 2021 and 30% last year. Exports to Hong Kong have also been reduced by almost 50%, and now stand in 13th place with 77.60K MT (in 2020 they reached 283.59K MT and were in 4th place). Exports to the United Kingdom, the second leading destination with a 16% share, decreased by 9% to 811.26K MT. Exports to Japan and the Philippines, third and fourth largest destinations respectively, with shares of 9% and 8%, increased by 23% and 21%, reaching 466.51K MT and 422.63K MT, respectively.
Pig Population in the European Union Decreased by 5.2% In 2022 (Mar 8)
The pig herd in the 27 member states of the European Union has fallen by 5.2% in 2022 to 134.3M animals. The decline in the pig herd mainly occurred in Germany and Denmark. In Germany, the decrease was 10.2% and in Denmark, 12.2% fewer pigs were kept at the end of last year than at the end of 2021. In Spain, the pig herd is no longer expanding. The contraction there was limited to 1.1% last year. The pig herd in the European Union is also expected to decrease in 2023 because the number of breeding sows has decreased by 4.6% and the number of sows covered by 3.7%.
Restructuring Is on the Horizon for the EU Swine Industry (Mar 10)
High feed and energy prices and environmental restrictions are pressing swine farmers in the European Union (EU), leading to a reduction in operations. Additional factors that the industry faces are African swine fever outbreaks in Central Europe and the reduced demand for pork from China. With declining sales to China, EU exporters have diversified their export destinations. However, these alternatives, mainly Asian markets cannot make up for the lost volumes shipped to China. Furthermore, domestic consumption is dwindling, particularly in Germany. These negative market factors collectively led to a record drop in the total swine and sow stock in 2022. With a smaller breeding herd, the supply of animals for slaughter will inevitably fall this year. The lower availability of animals for slaughter will also encourage the sector to restructure. In 2023, pork production is forecast to decline by roughly 0.75M MT carcass weight equivalent (CWE) to reach 21.75M MT, and pork exports are projected to fall back to 2016-2019 levels remaining at 3.75M MT, nearly 500K MT less than in 2022.
Spain
The Slaughter of Iberian Pigs in the Present Montanera Decreases by 12.6% (Mar 6)
The Iberian Pig Inter-professional (ASICI) presented the results of the 2022/23 montanera in the framework of Meat Attraction. As of March 2, 2023, the data reflects a 12.6% decrease in acorn slaughter compared to the previous season, with 86.22K fewer animals. According to the data registered in ÍTACA (Identification, Traceability, and Quality System), in the 2022/23 campaign, 596.27K acorn-fed pigs have been slaughtered, compared to the 682.49K animals slaughtered in the previous montanera. Of the total number of animals slaughtered, 86.7% (516.99K animals) correspond to Quality Standard acorn-fed pigs and 13.3% (79.29K animals) with PDO productions. This decrease in the figures is marked by the severe drought suffered the previous year, which has caused a decrease in the number of acorns available and consequently a reduction in the entry of Iberian pigs into the pasture for fattening.
The Price of Spanish Pork Belly Shipped to the Korean Market Increased by 8% In 3 Weeks (Mar 10)
One of the largest Spanish pig slaughterhouses in Europe has shipped 30 FCL of Pork Belly Single Rind Off to the Korean market. The deal was closed at USD 5.30/kg CIF in W10, an increase of 8% from USD 4.90/kg CIF in W7. The increase in pork price is mainly due to the increase in live pigs' cost of around 16% in the last two months and the decrease in production in Europe.
Pork Products Adaptability to New Challenges and Demands (Mar 11)
A delegation of importers from Malaysia, South Korea, and Chile met with Spanish pork companies during the Meat Attraction exhibition, in which they were highlighting the Spanish white-coated pork products' adaptability to the new challenges and demands of the world population. These are reverse missions, visits by foreign professionals, organized by the Inter-professional del INTERPORC together with ICEX, within the collaboration agreement between both organizations. During their stay, accompanied by representatives of the Inter-professional, they were making visits to the facilities of seven companies, to learn about the diversity of Spanish pork meat and products, as well as the Spanish white-coated pig production system.
United States
Pork Variety Meat Exports’ Record Performance Boosts Per-Head Value (Mar 8)
Exports of US pork variety meats topped USD 1.27B in 2022, up 3% YoY and setting an annual value record, according to USDA data compiled by the US Meat Export Federation. Export value equated to USD 10.15/head slaughtered, also an annual record. Export volume was the second largest on record at more than 530K MT, trailing only in 2017. "Pork variety meats play a key role in maximizing the value of every animal, and expanding exports of these products is critical because there is little domestic demand," said Dan Halstrom, USMEF president, and CEO. "In this respect, the 2022 results were very encouraging, as exports not only trended higher globally, but achieved growth in some markets where muscle cut shipments were lower."
USD 14.28 Genesus Pigs’ Competitive Edge per Ton (Mar 8)
USD 14.28/MT is the current competitive edge in average finisher diet savings for (55-290 lbs.) while for finisher diet savings for Genesus pigs compared to DNA pigs its value is USD 7.53/MT Apart from that, the current competitive edge in average finisher diet savings for Genesus pigs compared to those of Topigs Norsvin pigs is USD 15.74/MT. Over the past four years, 13 trials were completed involving over 25K nursery and finisher pigs to determine the optimal dietary requirements. The results are published in the Genesus Feeding Guidelines book and on the website www.genesus.com. In this time of high feed costs, genetics that can use a lower cost for a ton of feed is an advantage. Genesus does that but continually challenged the given recommendation that the rations were very different than all other genetics.
Meat Production Estimates Mostly up on Month (Mar 8)
The USDA has increased its outlooks for 2023 red meat and poultry production, with gains in beef, broilers, and turkey canceling out a cut in pork. Pork is estimated at 27.410B pounds, down 35M because of lighter carcass weights, with an average barrow and gilt price of USD 66 per hundredweight, USD 0.50 lower, and no changes to imports, exports, or consumption.
US Achieves PRRS-Resistant Pigs Through Gene Editing (Mar 9)
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus was first detected in the US in 1987. Pigs that contract the disease have extreme difficulty reproducing, do not gain weight and have a high mortality rate. The disease costs American ranchers USD 660M a year. A team of researchers from the University of Missouri and Kansas State University has bred pigs that are not affected by the disease. The PRRS virus, once inside pigs, needs help to spread. It gets that help from a protein called CD163. The researchers bred a litter of pigs that did not produce that protein, and as a result, the virus did not spread. They found that when the pigs were exposed to PRRS, they did not become ill and continued to gain weight normally. The researchers worked to prevent the pigs from not producing CD163. To do this, they edited the gene that produces the CD163 protein, so that the pigs could no longer produce it (gene editing does not mean inserting a new gene, just deleting, inserting, or replacing existing ones).
Lean Hog Futures Close Mostly Higher in the US (Mar 9)
CME lean hog futures closed mostly higher, led by the nearby April contract which settled up 0.950 cents at USD 1,890.46/MT (85.750 cents per pound). June hogs rose 0.200 cents to end at USD 2,210.68/MT (100.275 cents.) Firming cash hog and wholesale pork prices lent support. The CME lean hog index, a two-day weighted average of cash hog prices, rose by 18 cents to USD 79.09 per cwt. For pork, the USDA priced the carcass cutout late on Mar 8 at USD 87.66 per hundredweight (cwt), up 64 cents from Mar 7 and the highest since Feb. 20.
Pork Exports Robust in January (Mar 9)
US pork exports, which posted a strong finish in 2022, maintained momentum in January, according to data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. January pork exports totaled 236.77K MT, up 13%YoY, while export value climbed 16% to USD 643.4M. Exports to Mexico, which finished 2022 on a remarkable run on the way to an annual record, set another volume record in January. Exports also trended significantly higher YoY to China/Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Honduras, and the ASEAN region.
Netherlands
The Pigs in Need Foundation Points Out Abuses in Slaughterhouses (Mar 7)
Stichting Varkens in Nood once again points to serious violations in Dutch slaughterhouses. These also take place in slaughterhouses with voluntary camera surveillance and inspectors from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). According to the foundation, things go wrong mainly with the checks that have to determine whether pigs are actually unconscious or dead. The organization bases itself on requested inspection reports from the NVWA for 2021. Varkens in Nood states, based on an analysis of NVWA reports, that slaughterhouses regularly make mistakes when stunning pigs and cutting the carotid artery. Due to poor controls, these errors are not always noticed and corrected. NVWA inspectors had to intervene several times because the pigs were still conscious after being stunned. Inspectors also regularly found pigs at the end of the slaughter line whose carotid artery had not been cut or had not been cut properly, so that the animal had not bled to death. Varkens in Nood asks the government for a 'zero tolerance policy' for violations via an urgent letter.
Brazil
Pig Performance on the Farm in W9 of 2023 (Mar 6)
During W9, the pork market continued to show low movement with consumers, and, as a result, the business carried out with live pigs with pig farmers absorbed three casualties over the period. The result was an average weekly price of USD 22.18/arroba (R$116.52) for a live hog, which meant a 3.8% drop over the previous week and an increase of 27.1% over the same week last year. For now, the accumulated average price at the beginning of March reached USD 22.01 (R$115.65), signaling increases of 0.2% in relation to last February and 30.4% over March of last year. During W10, the consumer will be completely reestablished in their purchasing capacity. This may favor greater pork movement in all marketing sectors. If slaughterhouse demand for barley increases, pig farmers may have the opportunity to compete for better marketing conditions.
Researchers Will Examine PSA Stability (Mar 6)
The Pig Health Information Center (SHIC) received a grant for research aimed at reducing the risk of imported feed ingredients spreading African swine fever. The four-year project will specifically examine the stability of ASF in soy products commonly imported into the United States for complete diets and will improve diagnostic capabilities and surveillance tools for the detection of ASF. The USD 650K grant is from the US Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Soy products, widely used in complete pig feeds, are traded globally and pose a potential risk if imported from ASF-endemic countries or regions. Dr. Megan Niederwerder, associate director of SHIC, will serve as project director. This work will benefit pig producers by better equipping them to deal with foreign animal disease vectors.
Paraná Seeks to Open the Japanese Market for Pork and Beef (Mar 8)
Governor Carlos Massa Ratinho Junior participated in a series of meetings with businessmen in Tokyo, Japan, Mar 8. After the meeting with the deputy minister of Agriculture of the Asian country, whose objective was to open up the market for pork and beef imports, he presented commercial representatives from large companies such as Sumitomo, Mitsui, and Marubeni, who purchase food throughout the world, the possibilities they can find in Paraná, the main producer of animal protein in Brazil.
International Pork Sales Increase 14.9% In 2023 (Mar 8)
Surveys by the Associação Brasileira de Proteína Animal (ABPA) show that Brazilian exports of pork (considering all products, between fresh and processed) totaled 78.6K MT in February, a volume 10% higher than that registered in the second month of 2022, with 71.5K MT. In revenue, the comparative high reached 25.4%, with USD 184.9M in February 2023, against USD 147.4M in the second month of last year. Already in the first two months, sales of pork accumulated an increase of 14.9%, with 167.9K MT this year, against 146.1K MT in 2022. With this, the revenue obtained in dollars reached USD 397.3M, a number 28.9% higher than the effective one in the same period of 2022, with USD 308.3M. The numbers for the first two months are in line with ABPA projections, which indicate a possible increase of more than 10% in exports throughout 2023, which should be reinforced by recent market openings.
Fewer Pig Slaughters in Belgium in 2022 (Mar 8)
After 3 years of growth, pig slaughters in Belgium in 2022 fell by 9% to 10.52M units compared to 2021. The Belgian data is therefore in line with the European trend, which shows a decrease in the number of slaughters in almost all Member States. According to statistics, an average of 877K were slaughtered each month. The amount of pork produced is estimated at 1.03M MT. A noticeable decrease in the pig stock Joris Coenen, manager of the Belgian Meat Office, explains the falling number of pig slaughters primarily by the fact that pig farmers have significantly reduced the number of animals kept as a result of recent difficult years for the industry. Following the successful eradication of ASF, the coronavirus pandemic has emerged in wild boar herds in southern Belgium. Finally, the Russian invasion of Ukraine caused worldwide unrest and increased inflation.
Brazil Should Produce More Pork in 2023 Than in 2022 (Mar 9)
According to the Gain Report, released by attachés of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), pork production (in carcass equivalent) in Brazil in 2023 should reach 4.455M MT. In 2022, the volume produced was 4.35M MT, while to reach the expected production in 2023, it will be necessary to slaughter 45.840M pigs, compared to the 45.150M animals slaughtered in 2022. As for exports, the forecast is that the country will export 1.405M MT of protein in 2023, compared to the 1.319M MT exported in 2022. Domestic consumption should remain at 3.052M MT next year, compared to 3.033M MT consumed in 2022.
Zoetis Reinforces Care for the Prevention of Classical Swine Fever (Mar 10)
Pig farming has gained an increasingly prominent role in Brazil. With the emergence of new technologies, management tools, and products aimed at pig health, this market has shown productive and competitive strength, helping to maintain the country as the 4th largest global producer and exporter. Knowing the economic weight of the sector, it is necessary to maintain good practices in breeding areas, especially with regard to the presence of classical swine fever (CSF) in part of the national territory. Classical swine fever is a highly infectious disease, with a high rate of contamination, and is fatal to pigs. Also known as swine fever or swine cholera, it poses no risk to human health or other animal species, but it is identified as one of the most relevant diseases in pig farming, not only because of the direct loss it causes to herds, but also because of its potential harm, exports, and serious economic consequences for the chain.
Belgium
Belgium Will Pay Extra for Giving up Pig Farming (Mar 10)
The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, a USD 213.42M (€200M) Flemish scheme to compensate pig producers for the reduction or complete closure of their production capacity. The aim of the program is to reduce nitrogen emissions in the agricultural sector, which are the result of pig production. The program is open to micro, small, and medium-sized pig farms in Flanders. Under the program, aid will take the form of direct grants of up to 120% of the loss in value of assets, ie pigs and facilities, related to the closure of production capacity. The program will run until June 30, 2025.
France
Pig Inventory and Pork Production Decrease in 2022 (Mar 6)
The French swine industry has lost 24K sows, down 2.5% of its breeding herd, which is now close to 900K head. This is a continuing, long-term trend (-200K sows since 2012, -18%). The total number of pigs, with respect to 2021, has seen a similar decrease of 2.5% (-326K head). Since 2012, the slaughter in France has decreased by 5.3%, a loss of 1.3M pigs between 2012 (24.1M head) and 2022 (22.8M head). Carcass weights, which in 2021 were still slightly up (94.6 kg), fell back in 2022 (93.7 kg). This breaks an almost continuous 10-year trend and testifies to a tense market situation due to decreasing supply but also to a drought effect that affected the growth of pigs during the summer. Consequently, compared to 2021, slaughter decreased more in volume (-2.3%) than in the number of heads (-1.4%). With pork production down to 2.2M MT carcass weight equivalent (CWE) in 2022, France nevertheless remains the third largest European producer, behind Spain (5.2M CWE, +0.2%) and Germany (4.6M CWE, -8.3%).
Prospects for French Pork Production in 2023 (Mar 6)
In 2023, it is expected that the French pig herd will continue its progressive decline. Given this trend, and despite productivity gains, a decline in French production seems very likely. France's export capacities appear to be limited, especially as production tends to decline. Domestic consumption is traditionally seen as the natural outlet for French production and exports are often only considered for surpluses. Even under favorable conditions, exported quantities thus tend to "peak", as we saw in 2020/21. Taking into account the forecast prices of cereals and soybean meal, it is likely that pig feed costs will remain high, at least in the first quarter of 2023. Therefore, the issue of sustainability of less profitable farms is likely to become increasingly important. Furthermore, it is very likely that the drop in production will have an impact on the slaughter/cutting sector, leading to a possible restructuring of some facilities. A big unknown is the issue of the spread of ASF (African Swine Fever) in Europe, which is getting closer and closer to France's borders. This is why the agreement between France and China on the recognition of zoning and compartmentalization is an important step forward as if France is affected by ASF, exports of pork products to China could continue from the country's PSA-free zones.
Poland
German Stock Exchange Unchanged, How Much Pigs Cost in Poland (Mar 9)
On Feb 22, prices rose to a record level of USD 2.44/kg (EUR 2.28) of a fattening pig with a meat content of 57% (equivalent to our E-class). The next two quotes, including Mar 8, did not bring any changes. This means that at least until Mar 15, the price set in February will apply. German fatteners currently cost USD 2.44/kg (PLN 10.72) against USD 2.47 (PLN 10.84) a week ago. The difference is due to the lower exchange rate of the European currency.
Chile
Chilean Pork Producers Question New Odor Standard Law (Mar 8)
A union leader representing Chilean pork producers noted that the odor standard issued to the national industry creates uncertainty in the sector. In this sense, he listed a series of factors that affect the union, among which he mentioned the lack of regulation of land use, the high demands of the sector, and the consequent loss of competitiveness against foreign production, which could harm pig farming. The president of the Association of Beef Exporters of Chile and president of Asprocer, Juan Carlos Domínguez, said that "having a clear regulation on the emission of odors was an old desire of the industry, because it allows us to have clarity about the norms by which we must guide ourselves for new projects in the sector”.
United Kingdom
Breeding Pig Herd Declines in England (Mar 9)
England's hog breeding herd dropped 20% to 237K in December 2022 from 295K in 2021, after two years of heavy financial losses across the sector. The latest numbers were 25% below the 317K head recorded in 2020, the National Pig Association said. The overall English pig herd was down 9.2% YoY to 3.7M, including a 7.9% reduction in the number of fattening pigs, the NPA added. The December breeding herd numbers follow the June 2022 census data showing an 18% YoY decline in production levels. Producers have weathered two torrid years, with farm backlogs reaching more than 200K hogs at the worst of a crisis caused by a flood of supply in Europe and a post-Brexit shortage of butchers. The implications of such a drop in production "are likely to be significant" for British production, the NPA warned, especially when the impact of lower slaughter weights was also taken into account.
Eustice Issues Warning on Pork Imports Under Canada Trade Deal (Mar 9)
Former Defra Secretary George Eustice has warned that a post-Brexit trade deal with Canada could pave the way for low-welfare pork imports. The Cornish MP has also raised the prospect of a deal with Mexico to facilitate imports of beef produced with a much higher carbon footprint than British beef. The Guardian has highlighted that ongoing negotiations over future deals could result in splits within the Conservative Party on the issue of food import standards. This includes fears of a Conservative party revolt, with Mr. Eustice raising concerns over low welfare standards for pigs in Canada, and an influential group of Tory MPs and peers gearing up to oppose the deals. Mr. Eustice, who criticized the Australia trade deal after he left his Defra role last year, said it appeared that Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch had taken a tougher line than her predecessors on beef imports.
UK Pig Prices Show No Signs of Slowing as Supplies Remain Tight (Mar 10)
UK pig prices show no sign of slowing down as they continue to be driven higher by a combination of tighter domestic supplies and record prices across the EU. The EU-spec SPP increased by a further 2.04p to reach 209.75p/kg during the week ended 4 March. The National Pig Association (NPA) said this figure would, in the past, have been "unimaginable". This followed two relatively modest increases that saw the price index increase by 1.3p over the previous fortnight. It means it has now gained 9.5p in the space of just eight weeks, with the latest record high standing at nearly 72p ahead of a year ago. The NPA said that along with lower input costs, many pig producers were now starting to return a profit on their production. However, the industry body warned that there was still a "very long way to go to claw back the losses of the past two years".
Hungary
In 2022, Fewer Animals Were Slaughtered in Slaughterhouses Than the Year Before (Mar 10)
The total live weight of the 4.532M pigs slaughtered in Hungarian slaughterhouses last year was 532K MT, and their carcass weight was 428K MT, both figures were more than 7% less than the previous year. Pig slaughter in live weight averaged over 44K MT per month, with the highest monthly value exceeding 48K MT in May. Within pig slaughter, the slaughter of sows fell sharply, by 25.5%, from 88.7K to 60K in the previous year.
Russia
The First Outbreak of African Swine Fever in 2023 Was Recorded in the Volgograd Region of Russia (Mar 6)
The first outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in 2023 was detected in the Volgograd region in a personal subsidiary plot. This was reported to TASS in the department of the Rosselkhoznadzor for the Rostov, Volgograd, and Astrakhan regions and the Republic of Kalmykia. It is noted that the outbreak of ASF was detected in the personal subsidiary plot of the village of Lugovoi, Svetloyarsky district. As a result of laboratory studies of material taken from the corpse of a domestic pig, a positive result for African swine fever was obtained. Currently, a set of necessary measures is being taken to prevent the spread and eliminate the outbreak. African swine fever does not pose a threat to humans but poses a threat to livestock. A quarantine zone is defined in which all pigs are subject to destruction.
Russia’s DPR Introduced Quarantine on the Territory of the Penal Colony Due to ASF (Mar 9)
Acting head of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) Denis Pushilin on Mar 9 signed an order that introduces quarantine on the territory of the Snezhnyansk penal colony due to the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF), the document is published on the website of the head of the DPR. For the period of quarantine, the document prohibits visiting the outbreak by unauthorized persons, as well as the export of livestock and crop products. ASF is a viral disease that affects wild boars and domestic pigs. In its acute form, the disease kills 100% of affected animals. For humans, the disease is not dangerous. In Russia, the first outbreak of ASF was registered in 2007.
Italy
In Italy, ASF Continues to Spread in Wild Boar (Mar 7)
Since the beginning of 2023, almost as many ASF cases as in 2022 as been reported. In Italy, the risk of further spread of African swine fever (ASF) has not been reduced. While there has been no new evidence of the disease in the Lazio area near Rome since September, evidence of sick wild boar in Piedmont and Liguria has increased dramatically since the turn of the year. According to the health ministry, the animal disease is spreading west and east of the original infection area. Last year there were about 200 cases of ASF. Since the beginning of the year, almost 200 cases of ASF have been identified, almost as many as in the whole of last year.
China
Liuzhou, Guangxi Strikes Down an Illegal Pig Slaughtering Den (Mar 6)
On February 15, the Liuzhou Agricultural Comprehensive Administrative Law Enforcement Detachment, together with the Municipal Yufeng Public Security Bureau and the Market Supervision Bureau, organized more than 100 people to carry out a joint law enforcement operation and raided a simple shed with asbestos tiles on the west side of Liantang Village, Liujiang District, Liuzhou City. Live pig slaughtering dens indiscriminately. The Liuzhou Agriculture and Rural Bureau attached great importance to this operation and arranged for the deployment of law enforcement personnel to conduct in-depth visits and investigations in the early stage to identify the dens. They worked with the public security department to formulate a detailed action plan, and successfully destroyed the private slaughter dens in one fell swoop. 20 people involved in the case were seized on the spot and 1 slaughtered pig carcass, 16 pigs, a batch of slaughtering tools, and a set of Guangxi quarantine inspection stamps. At present, the case has been transferred to the Yufeng Branch of the Municipal Public Security Bureau for further trial. The pigs and pig products involved in the case It has been detained by the Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, pending further inspection and testing.
USDA Forecasts a Rise in Chinese Pork Imports by 2023 (Mar 8)
In the latest of its forecast reports on the evolution of meat production and trade in China, the USDA estimates that the Asian country will keep pork and beef production up due to greater demand due to the restrictions resulting from COVID-19. In the case of swine, USDA estimates point to a drop in the census due to the fact that in 2022 there were fewer breeding censuses. As for the production of pork, it will be around 55.5M MT, a slight increase due to the elimination of restrictions and also due to the high prices of cattle for slaughter. Regarding meat imports, the USDA expects an increase of 4% to reach 2.2M MT due to greater demand, but it could be slowed down by the increase in national production.
Lianyungang City demonstrates the establishment of animal disease-free communities as an important means of implementing the normalized prevention and control of African swine fever. One of the province's first national-level African swine fever-free communities, one provincial-level African swine fever-free community, one national-level animal disease purification field, and two provincial-level animal disease purification fields have been built. It has greatly promoted the steady recovery of pig production and high-quality development. Lianyungang City actively deploys and initiates the establishment of epidemic-free communities. The director in charge of the bureau assumes the leadership of the creation leading group, with a clear division of labor and responsibilities assigned to individuals.
Australia
Australian Pork Production Expected to Decrease in 2023 (Mar 9)
Australian pork production is forecast to decline 3% in 2023 to 425K MT after stronger-than-expected production in 2022. Pork producers in early 2023 are being challenged by high feed grain prices relative to pork prices which are anticipated to have an impact on slaughter numbers and pork production in the latter part of 2023. Pork consumption is forecast to decline slightly in 2023 to 630K MT (CWE). Consumption in 2022 was the highest on record at an estimated 642K MT (CWE) but may in part be related to importers taking advantage of lower prices of EU pork than the previous year. Analysts anticipate imported EU pork prices to be higher in 2023 which could dampen Australia's enthusiasm for pork imports in the forecast year.
Vietnam
Live Hog Prices in Vietnam (Mar 12)
Live hog prices in the North specifically, in Hanoi, Hung Yen, and Thai Nguyen, live hog prices were at the highest level in the region at USD 2.08/kg (49K VND). Live hog price in Central - Central Highlands specifically, in Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Hue, Quang Nam, Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, and Lam Dong provinces, was at USD 2.12- 2.16/kg (50K - 51K VND). In the South, in Ho Chi Minh City, Ca Mau, and Bac Lieu, the price of live hogs was purchased at USD 2.21/kg (52K VND).
Singapore
17 More Cases of African Swine Fever Found in Wild Boars in Singapore (Mar 10)
Another 17 cases of African swine fever have been detected in wild boars in Singapore. According to the latest report by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on Feb 24, there are now 18 cases recorded in Singapore, more than two weeks after the National Parks Board (NParks) confirmed the country's first case on Feb 7. Of the 18 cases, 15 were detected in wild boar carcasses while the remaining three were trapped wild boars. The three trapped boars were killed and disposed of, said WOAH. In its epidemiological comments, it said the virus has been detected in wild boars in forested areas and nature parks in several parts of Singapore. The situation is deemed "sufficiently stable", it added. In response to CNA's queries, an NParks spokesperson said on Mar 10 that the virus samples were largely found in the north of Singapore. "NParks is currently studying how ASF (African swine fever) came to be found in wild boars in Singapore," said Dr. Chang Siow.
Bulgaria
More Than USD 35M Have Been Approved for the Humane Treatment of Pigs and Birds in Bulgaria (Mar 9)
Pig farmers and poultry farmers will receive a total of USD 35.32M (BGN 64.43M) under welfare schemes in 2023, the Board of Directors of the State Fund for Agriculture (DFZ) decided at its meeting. The approved financial resource under the scheme "Assistance for the implementation of voluntarily undertaken commitments for humane treatment of pigs" is USD 20.13M (BGN 36.72M) and USD 15.92M (BGN 27.71M) for "Assistance for the implementation of voluntarily undertaken commitments for humane treatment of birds". Aid under both schemes is granted to a holding to cover additional costs or foregone income linked to the implementation of voluntary animal welfare commitments made for at least 5 years.
Ukraine
Imports of Pork in Ukraine Decreased by 2.6 Times in February (Mar 7)
Imports of fresh, chilled, and frozen pork in February amounted to 743MT worth USD 1.5M, according to customs statistics. This is 2.6 times less than a month earlier and is the lowest indicator for February since 2018. The total import of pork for the first two months of the year amounted to 2.66K MT, which is 4.6 times less than the volume of external deliveries of pork in January-February last year.
Cutting Stock Market in Ukraine in W10 (Mar 9)
Purchasing prices for pork at the end of the first decade of March continued to grow, analysts of the Association "Swine Farmers of Ukraine" state. Trading for the 10th week ended with a revision of prices for slaughtered pigs by USD 0.082/kg (UAH 3) upwards. So, most of the commodity lots this week were sold in the range of USD 1.88- 1.93/kg (UAH 69-71), although higher prices were also found in some places. Therefore, the weighted average price increased by 4.3% compared to last week and amounted to USD 1.92/kg (UAH 70.5).
Retail Pork Prices in Ukraine Fell in February (Mar 9)
The average price of chilled pork in February was down 1.4%, USD 0.068/kg (2.5 UAH) cheaper than a month earlier. Such a change was noticed by the analysts of the "Swine Farmers" Association of Ukraine" during the monthly monitoring of national retail prices trading networks. Prices of chilled pork semi-finished products on supermarket shelves were lower in February than in January.
Assessment of the Risks of ASF Spread Through the Eyes of Meat Processing Enterprises in Ukraine (Mar 9)
With the support of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Association of “Swinemakers of Ukraine" (ASU) interviewed representatives of slaughterhouses and meat processing plants regarding their assessment of the risks of the spread of swine diseases since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The survey of representatives of the meat processing industry and other participants of the domestic pork market (industrial and home pork producers, hunters, etc.) is carried out by the ASU within the framework of the project "Ensuring animal health in Ukraine". 80% of the respondent slaughterhouses did not note the deterioration of the epizootic situation regarding ASF due to the post-war and did not refuse to cooperate with pig farms because of the suspicion of an ASF outbreak on them. In addition, only 15% of respondents noticed an increase in spontaneous meat trade over the past year, and according to processors, the increase in such sales varies from 15% to 50%. Although the majority of surveyed slaughterhouses and meat processing plants do not believe that the risks of ASF spread are higher than in previous years, the operators do not relax anti-epizootic measures.
South Korea
On the 7th, Vice Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Kim In-joong visited the wild boar blocking fence facility located in Eumseong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, the base disinfection facility in Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do, and the African Swine Fever (ASF) quarantine control situation room to inspect the quarantine situation. This field inspection by Kim In-joong, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Food, had a high risk of additional outbreaks, such as the recent successive outbreaks of ASF in pig farms in Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do, and especially, due to the increase in the population of wild boars in March and April. Since it is a time when activities are active, the biosecurity situation to prevent further occurrence of ASF is checked, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Environment.
The Handon Future Research Institute (Director Kim Seong-hoon, hereinafter referred to as the Research Institute) plans to promote five projects, including public interest, universal, future value discovery, and awareness improvement projects, as the main projects of the research center this year. The research institute recently completed a public contest in relation to 'improvement research to discover the changed value of the hand pork industry and suggest ways to improve consumer (national) perception (image)', and at the end of this month, to establish a strategy for upgrading hand pork, improvement measures such as distribution and consumption-friendly quality, etc. As the first round of research is completed, a follow-up study for the 'establishment and proposal of a strategy for upgrading consumption-friendly Korean pork' will be held next month.
New Zealand
High Volumes of Imported Pork Fail New Zealand’s Animal Welfare Standards (Mar 10)
It is time for all imported pork to meet New Zealand’s high animal welfare standards, NZ Pork says. In a presentation to Parliament’s Primary Production Select Committee, the industry body batted strongly to get a fair deal for local producers. “NZ pig farmers deserve a fair go,” NZPork chief executive Brent Kleiss said. “High volumes of imported pork are failing to meet NZ animal welfare standards, leaving local producers severely disadvantaged.” Kleiss acknowledged the situation is not an easy fix but said he is encouraged by the engagement of the presentation.
Kenya
Scientists at the University of Nairobi are developing a healthier and more affordable alternative to antibiotics to address disease in pigs known as porcine infectious diarrhea (PID). The scientists in Kenya are collaborating with counterparts from The Ohio State University to identify probiotics that could save pig farmers the trouble of buying and (mis)using antibiotics. The IDRC-supported project is looking into which probiotics would work best to combat rotavirus in pigs and in what doses. The probiotics under trial are currently being administered in solution form to the farm animals. PID is caused by rotaviruses that animals are exposed to in contaminated environments, said Dr. Joshua Onono, a veterinarian who is leading the team of scientists in the research project. He explained that rotaviruses affect piglets in particular, causing diarrhea that can lead to stunted growth.
Philippines
Philippines Confirms African Swine Fever Outbreak in Cebu (Mar 8)
The Philippines' agriculture department on Mar 8 confirmed an outbreak of African swine fever in central Cebu province and has deployed response teams to detect the extent of infection. The department's Bureau of Animal Industry said 58 out of 149 blood samples from Carcar City in Cebu tested positive for the disease, which is not harmful to humans but is highly contagious among pigs. The latest outbreak adds to the list of active African swine fever cases in 12 of the Southeast Asian country's more than 80 provinces, based on the agriculture department's latest data.
Philippines Ban Pork Products From Singapore After ASF Detection (Mar 9)
The Philippine Department of Agriculture imposed a temporary ban on Mar 6, confiscating pork products from travelers carrying items from Singapore, following the detection of African swine fever in the Republic. The ban applies to products transported by hand, including pork, pork skin, and pork semen, despite Singapore not being an accredited exporter of pork products to the Philippines. Philippine Department of Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said the ban will remain in effect until a repeal is issued in writing. In addition to confiscating products at all major ports of entry, the Philippines would not issue any sanitary and phytosanitary import permits for pork products from Singapore. The latest restriction comes after African swine fever was detected in a wild boar carcass in the northwest of the island in February.
Taiwan
Taiwan’s Hog Trading Price Hits Record High Amid Shortage (Mar 12)
The hog trading price in Taiwan reached a record-high USD 3/kg (NT$90) in W9, amid a domestic supply crunch and a reduction in pork imports, the Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture (COA) said. On March 12, Chiang Wen-chuan, deputy head of the COA's Department of Animal Industry, told CNA that the current shortage was a result of fewer piglets reaching slaughter age beginning in the latter half of 2022, as well as higher operating costs due to widespread pig house renovations and rising feed prices. Compared with a year ago, when Taiwan's hog trading price sat between USD 2.28- 2.60/kg (NT$70-NT$80), consumers will likely have to spend more on pork until at least around May, with major holidays such as the Tomb Sweeping Festival and Dragon Boat Festival set to drive up demand. It is why Taiwan currently sees a shortage of roughly 800 pigs per day, Chiang said, forecasting that the average pork supply in H1 2023 is likely to drop by 4-5% from H2 2023.
