The Meatex News Page delivers the latest news and updates in the meat industry

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19 Nov 2024

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices Update: Latest Figures and Trends

Throughput There were 38,791 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants last week, a reduction of just over 1,500 head from the previous week. This uplift is primarily due to an increase in the cow kill when compared to the previous week. Prime cattle throughput YTD is currently...

14 Nov 2024

Lamb prices soar on tight supply

Festive demand has taken off for the lamb sector, with processors appearing keen to stock up ahead of Christmas. Some abattoirs have been quoted at up to 650p/kg in the past week while the overall GB average deadweight SQQ lifted by 11p/kg on the week to 625.2p/kg. Trade at bo...

12 Nov 2024

Jeremy Clarkson to attend London anti-budget farmer rally

Jeremy Clarkson will attend next week’s anti-budget rally as thousands of farmers are expected to descend on Westminster. The star of Clarkson’s Farm will attend the 19 November protest, according to The Telegraph, but it is not yet known whether he will give a speech....

10 Nov 2024

EU and UK Ban Brazilian Beef Imports over Hormone Concerns

On 5th November, the European Union and the United Kingdom took the significant step of suspending all beef imports from Brazil, citing serious concerns over the use of estradiol in livestock production. Estradiol, a hormone prohibited in EU markets due to potential health ris...

10 Nov 2024

Record Year for Australian Meat Exports

Australian beef exports in October reached 130,049 tonnes, breaking the record for the most beef exported in a single month for the second time this year. Goatmeat exports also reached record-breaking numbers, with lamb and mutton recording very high export numbers. Australian...

10 Nov 2024

Smithfield Market Move Paused

The City of London’s current plan to move Smithfield and Billingsgate markets to a new purpose-built site in Dagenham has been halted. The City of London Corporation, which owns and manages both markets, has not cancelled the move altogether but has stopped its initial plan...

10 Nov 2024

Tönnies Rebrands as Premium Food Group

German meat producer Tönnies Group will operate under the new name of Premium Food Group from next year. The corporate rebranding comes amid the company’s “development” in recent years from being purely a meat processor to a broader food manufacturer. With the new name ...

08 Nov 2024

Russian Firm Boosts Meat Exports

MOSCOW. Nov 7 (Interfax) – Damate Group, Russia’s leading turkey meat producer, exported 8,300 tonnes of turkey and duck meat in 9M 2024, double the amount exported in the same period last year, the company said. Turkey meat exports stood at 8,000 tonnes, of which ...

06 Nov 2024

NZ to Boost China Exports

The New Zealand Government has signed off on a deal to co-invest $8 million to beef up New Zealand’s meat exports to China. New Zealand is currently the second largest source of international lamb for Chinese consumers behind Australia, and the sixth largest supplier of bee...

06 Nov 2024

Pickstock’s New Meat Plant Avoids Environmental Assessment

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been ruled unnecessary for a multi-million pound expansion by an English meat processing firm into Scotland. Shropshire-based Pickstock wants to build an abattoir close to the A74(M) near Ecclefechan in Dumfries and Galloway. The co...

05 Nov 2024

Dawn Meats Lands Korean Contract

Dawn Meats has welcomed the opening of the South Korean market to Irish beef for the first time this week, and announced that it has secured an initial multimillion euro contract for monthly shipments with a leading South Korean company. Dawn Meats Secures Korean Beef Deal Two...

05 Nov 2024

Welsh Red Meat Body Seeks New CEO

Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) is looking to recruit a new CEO to lead the organisation into its next phase of development. The body stands at the forefront of the Welsh red meat industry, championing its development, promotion, and marketing. It has a statutory remit and delivers...

04 Nov 2024

NZ Red Meat Exports Stumble Amid Processing Slowdown

Fewer animals being processed is hitting red-meat export volumes in New Zealand. Meat Industry Association data shows $564 million of red-meat was exported in September – eight per cent less than September last year. The US was the largest export market at $143 million &...

03 Nov 2024

Irish Sheep Trade & Prices: Supply, Demand, and Stability

Quotes Base quotes from the major processors have improved slightly this week with €7.30/kg – €7.55/kg for well finished lambs (+QA bonus) on offer. With well fleshed lambs in demand, some major processors have also increased paid carcass weight limits, with all ma...

03 Nov 2024

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices Update: Throughput and Outlook

Throughput There were 39,969 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants last week, a slight reduction of just over 500 head from the previous week. This uplift is primarily due to an increase in the cow kill when compared to the previous week. Prime cattle throughput YTD is cu...

03 Nov 2024

Freshness Sealed: The Power of Antimicrobial Packaging

As the food industry seeks ever-more efficient ways to extend product shelf life and ensure safety, antimicrobial packaging is emerging as a promising solution. This cutting-edge technology utilizes materials that actively reduce or inhibit the growth of microorganisms, helpin...

02 Nov 2024

BRF Takes Stake in Addoha Poultry

Brazil-headquartered meat major BRF has signed a binding agreement to acquire a 26% stake in Saudi Arabia-based Addoha Poultry Co. The deal, struck through the BRF Arabia joint venture with the Halal Products Development Co. (HPDC), is aimed at bolstering the meat packer’s �...

01 Nov 2024

Australian Cattle and Sheep Market update

Key points: Restocker demand across sheep and cattle returned, with prices rising despite more yardings. Quality young restocker lambs lifted above 900¢/kg in Wagga. Sheep slaughter reached the highest number since 2006 due to price-driven demand. Cattle market The cattle mar...

31 Oct 2024

Kepak Expands into Chilled Sandwiches and Frozen Snacks

Kepak has made its first move into the chilled sandwiches and frozen snacks sector with the acquisition of UK group, Summit Foods. Summit Foods is an established player in the UK’s convenience food sector, turning over about £24 million (€29 million) per year and employin...

31 Oct 2024

Sysco Acquires Campbell’s Prime Meat in Strategic UK Expansion

Sysco, the global foodservice provider, has acquired Campbell’s Prime Meat in a strategic move to expand its footprint in the UK. The acquisition signals Sysco’s commitment to strengthening its supply chain and enhancing product offerings to UK customers, particularly ...

31 Oct 2024

Minerva Foods Completes Acquisition of Marfrig Assets

Minerva Foods has finalised its acquisition of several key assets from Marfrig Global Foods, consolidating its presence as a major player in the industry. The acquisition, first announced earlier this year, received final regulatory approvals and marks a milestone in Minerva�...

28 Oct 2024

New Zealand’s Silver Fern Aims to Strengthen Presence in China

WELLINGTON, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) — New Zealand’s largest red meat exporter Silver Fern Farms expects to leverage the spill-over effect of the upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE) to enhance its understanding of the China market, said Silver Fern Farms Limite...

28 Oct 2024

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices Update: Throughput and Trends

Throughput There were 40,777 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants last week, an uplift of just over 430 head from the previous week. This uplift is primarily due to an increase in the cow kill when compared to the previous week. Prime cattle throughput YTD is currently o...

28 Oct 2024

Irish Sheep Trade & Prices: Uplift in Base Quotes

Quotes Base quotes from the major processors have improved this week with €7.30/kg – €7.40 for well finished lambs (+QA bonus) on offer, with tightening lamb numbers contributing to this uplift. The improvements in the trade are also being supported by stable deman...

27 Oct 2024

Rising Crisis: Government Urged to Address Illegal Meat Imports

The government is under pressure to stop illegal meat being smuggled into the UK, amid warnings of a “foot-and-mouth” level crisis for British farmers. The amount of meat seized by Border Force officials has doubled in a year, according to data obtained by BBC News...

26 Oct 2024

Food safety fee hike ‘catastrophic’ for UK’s small abattoir network

The Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) proposals to increase its fees risks the future of the UK’s dwindling small abattoir network, the sheep sector has warned. The food safety body launched a consultation in the summer concerning recent proposals to raise fees paid by...

26 Oct 2024

Greek Farmers Concerned about Exports Amid Slaughter Ban

As Greece approaches a peak export season for lambs to Italy, Germany and Spain, a ban on slaughtering small livestock due to an outbreak of sheep and goat pox has sparked concerns among farmers. Agriculture Minister Kostas Tsiaras stated the ban will be reassessed in 10 days,...

26 Oct 2024

Amazon Deforestation: Brazil’s Actions Against Meat Packers

São Paulo, Brazil – In a significant environmental enforcement move, Brazilian authorities have imposed multimillion-pound fines on several of the country’s largest meat-packing companies for purchasing cattle from farms linked to illegal Amazon deforestation. This ac...

24 Oct 2024

FSA Appoints Two Businesses for Meat Inspections in the UK

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has announced the appointment of two businesses to provide inspectors and veterinary professionals for future meat inspections in the UK. The two companies, Eville & Jones and HallMark Veterinary & Compliance Services, have been awarde...

24 Oct 2024

NCBA Challenges Shift from Beef to Plant Proteins in the USA

NCBA challenges shift from beef to plant proteins The National (NCBA) is speaking out against the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s latest recommendations, which advocate for a dietary shift from beef to plant-based proteins such as beans, peas, and lentils. NCBA...

24 Oct 2024

The Latest Trends in the Australian Lamb Market

Key points: Lamb prices have bounced back to late 2021 and early 2022 levels. Producer cautiousness will likely impact market prices. Seasonal conditions have impacted quality and timing of new season lambs being sold. The spring flush is in full swing, with more new-season la...

24 Oct 2024

French Farmers Rally Against EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement

PARIS — French farmers are taking to the streets again. Two of the country’s main farming unions say they are planning a new wave of protests next month to voice their opposition to the trade deal being negotiated between the European Union and South American countries of ...

24 Oct 2024

Concerns Over New Zealand’s Rising Afforestation Rate

Beef and Lamb New Zealand says updated figures of entrie farms being sold into forestry show New Zealand’s current rate of afforestation is not sustainable. The new land use report by Orme and Associates, commissioned by Beef and Lamb New Zealand, showed 261,000 hectare...

23 Oct 2024

Defra Mandates Sheep Abattoir Price Reporting

Large abattoirs will be required to report lamb prices, use standardised dressing specifications, and weigh carcasses to the nearest 0.1kg, under new government measures. The announcement by Defra has been widely welcomed by the farming sector and follows an industry consultat...

23 Oct 2024

Rules eased for free-range poultry

Outdoor-reared poultry that are compulsorily housed during an avian influenza outbreak look set to retain their free-range status, no matter how long they are contained. Currently broilers can only be labelled as “free range” for up to 12 weeks after a compulsory housing o...

23 Oct 2024

China-Brazil Beefs Up Meat Trade

(Bloomberg) — Brazil is in talks to gain Chinese approval for more meat plants to export to the Asian nation, according to Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro. Negotiations are currently under way to obtain clearance for another 10 to 15 beef, chicken and pork facilities,...

17 Oct 2024

The History of Spam: From Wartime Rations to Global Delicacy

The History of Spam: From Wartime Staple to Global Culinary Icon Spam, the iconic canned meat, has had an unexpected journey from wartime necessity to beloved food staple across the world. While some see it as a quirky throwback, Spam’s rich history reveals a versatile p...

17 Oct 2024

The Rise of Australian Beef Exports as US Cattle Numbers Decline

COOMA, Australia, Oct 17 (Reuters) – In a refrigerated room, around two dozen staff in hats, gloves and blue plastic aprons carve and pack carcasses into boxes within minutes of their slaughter. The Monbeef slaughterhouse, owned by Bindaree Food Group and located about 1...

17 Oct 2024

Dismay as Abattoirs Cut Lamb Prices in Bluetongue Zone

Sheep farmers have reacted in dismay at lower prices being offered by abattoirs for lambs from within the bluetongue (BTV) restriction zone. Price cuts of up to 50p/kg have been imposed by some sites looking to cover the additional costs associated with the disease. National S...

17 Oct 2024

UK Sausage Week 2024: A Showcase of Sausage Craftsmanship

The countdown begins for UK Sausage Week 2024. Running from Monday, 28th October to Sunday, 3rd November 2024, the week will see butchers, wholesalers, caterers, and food lovers across the country come together to celebrate one of the nation’s favourite foods: the sausag...

16 Oct 2024

Philippines Lifts Import Ban on UK Cattle and Meat Products

The Philippines has officially lifted its import ban on cattle and meat products from the UK, in a move welcomed by British exporters and the wider agricultural industry. The ban, which had been in place since 2021 due to concerns over bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), o...

16 Oct 2024

Scotland’s Red Meat and Offal Exports Surge to £137m, QMS Survey Reveals

Scotland’s red meat and offal exports beyond the UK have experienced a significant rise, reaching a value of £137 million, according to the latest survey by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). The report highlights a remarkable recovery in the sector, with a 26% increase in ex...

14 Oct 2024

Irish Pig Trade & Prices: Demand Outpacing Supplies

Prices Deadweight pig prices in Ireland are on an upward trajectory in response to relatively tight supplies for slaughter. Prices have increased steadily week on week from a low of 190c/kg in mid February 2024. The average price paid for grade E pig prices in Ireland for the ...

14 Oct 2024

Irish Sheep Trade & Prices Update: Improvements in Lamb Quotes

Quotes Base quotes for lambs from the major processors have improved slightly this week with €7.00-7.05/kg (+QA bonus) on offer. Relatively tight lamb supplies combined with some stability in demand from the domestic and export markets have contributed to this firming of t...

14 Oct 2024

Latest Update on Irish Cattle Trade and Prices

Throughput There were 40.956 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants last week, an uplift of just over 1,000 head from the previous week. This uplift is primarily due to an increase in the heifer kill of almost 800 head when compared to the previous week. Prime cattle through...

11 Oct 2024

The Rise of Raw Pet Food: What’s Behind the Trend?

In recent years, the pet food industry has seen a significant shift towards raw feeding, with more and more pet owners swapping traditional kibble for fresh, raw ingredients. Known as the “raw food diet,” this approach mimics what animals would eat in the wild, off...

11 Oct 2024

Danish Crown Implements Job Cuts to Save Costs

COPENHAGEN, 11 October (Reuters) – Danish Crown, a major meat producer and exporter, announced on Friday plans to cut around 500 white-collar jobs as part of a significant reorganisation aimed at saving approximately 500 million crowns (£59 million) in annual costs. “...

11 Oct 2024

AIMS Challenges FSA Claims on Veterinary Presence in Meat Establishments

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has hit back at recent claims by Food Standards Agency (FSA) Chair, Susan Jebb, regarding the necessity of constant veterinary oversight in meat establishments. AIMS contends that the FSA’s stance undermines the legal ...

11 Oct 2024

Strong Demand Supports Firm Cattle and Sheep Prices: AHDB

The latest market update from the AHDB has revealed that cattle and sheep prices are holding steady as strong demand continues to support the market. In its report for the week ending 10 October 2024, AHDB highlighted key trends in the livestock sector, with both cattle and sh...

10 Oct 2024

UK Government’s Brexit Border Plans Hit Another Roadblock

The UK Government has revealed two more delays in its post-Brexit border control plans, further extending the timeline for the full introduction of checks on goods arriving from the European Union. This marks the latest in a series of postponements since the UK’s departu...

10 Oct 2024

AIMS Welcomes Reopening of Poultry Export Market to South Korea

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has welcomed the recent reopening of the export market for poultry to South Korea, following the UK’s earlier success in securing poultry export access to South Africa for the first time in eight years. Tony Goodger, s...

09 Oct 2024

McDonald’s sues major beef producers in US price-fixing lawsuit

NEW YORK (AP) — McDonald’s has some beef with today’s largest meat packers. The fast food giant is suing the U.S. meat industry’s “Big Four” — Tyson, JBS, Cargill and National Beef Packing Company — and their subsidiaries, alleging a price fixing scheme for bee...

07 Oct 2024

Latest Update on Irish Cattle Trade and Prices

Throughput There were 39,854 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the w/e 28th September 2024, taking throughput for the year to date to 1,302,187 head. This is a <1% decrease on the corresponding period in 2023 when a total of 1,304,095 cattle were processed. Th...

04 Oct 2024

‘Atypical BSE’ Case Halts Irish Beef Exports to China and Korea

Irish beef exports to China and Korea have been suspended after the Department of Agriculture confirmed a a case of ‘atypical BSE’ in September. It comes just weeks after the Department of Agriculture and Bord Bia led a trade mission to China and Korea to promote Irish bee...

04 Oct 2024

Kepak Invests €8m in Westmeath Meat Plant

Irish meat-processing group Kepak on Thursday cut the ribbon on an €8 million upgrade of its facility in Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath. The investment, which was supported by the Government through the agri-food Capital Investment Scheme, will position the facility to become a hub...

03 Oct 2024

China opens up to 4 Argentine meat plants

A total of four new Argentine meat plants were allowed by China to send beef shipments to the Asian country, it was announced this week by Buenos Aires’ Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Secretariat. According to Argentina’s National Agri-Food Health and Quality...

02 Oct 2024

Why Pork Deserves a Prime Spot on Your Table

When it comes to versatile and flavour-packed meats, pork often flies under the radar. While beef, chicken, and lamb tend to get all the glory, pork has been a culinary staple for centuries—and for good reason. Whether you’re a fan of rich, slow-cooked belly, juicy por...

02 Oct 2024

Tired of Turkey? Delicious Main Course Ideas for Christmas

For many, the centrepiece of Christmas dinner is the iconic roasted turkey. Yet, not everyone is a fan, and for those looking to switch things up or cater to different tastes, there are plenty of equally festive and mouth-watering alternatives. Whether you’re planning a more...

01 Oct 2024

Aldi Scotland Doubles Pork Range with Quality Scottish Meat

Aldi Scotland is doubling its primary pork range, further reinforcing its dedication to Scottish farmers and high-quality, locally sourced produce. In partnership with Browns Food Group, one of Scotland’s leading pork suppliers, and with support from Quality Meat Scotland (Q...

29 Sep 2024

Export returns boost for Welsh red meat

The value of Welsh red meat exports has risen substantially with Welsh Beef enjoying a 14 per cent rise and Welsh Lamb six per cent year on year, according to Hybu Cig Cymru-Meat Promotion Wales’ (HCC) analysts. Some 9,000 tonnes of beef were exported in the first six months...

28 Sep 2024

The Impact of Food Safety Charge Increase on Small Abattoirs

Rural campaigners have warned that any increase in Food Standards Agency’s charges could ‘decimate’ the small abattoir revival effort. The FSA, the UK’s food safety regulator, has issued a call to evidence in relation to its charging structure for offic...

27 Sep 2024

UK Cattle & Sheep Trade Update: Fluctuations in Cow Prices

Cattle The average GB deadweight prime cattle price once again saw another jump for the week ending 21 September of just over 2p/kg to sit at 504.1p/kg. This now sits 27p higher than the same week in 2023, and over £1 higher than the five-year average. Breaking this down in...

27 Sep 2024

How Does the Australian Red Meat Industry Compare Globally?

Earlier this week, MLA released the 2024 State of the Industry Report, a catch-all document on the economic importance of the Australian red meat sector and how we stack up against our global counterparts. The report uses calendar and financial year data from 2023 to cover in...

27 Sep 2024

Australian Cattle and Sheep Market Report update

Cattle market The cattle market generally eased this week, with the exception of the Dairy Cow Indicator. The easing in prices has been motivated by a slight decline in quality. Overall cattle yardings lifted by 5,064 head or 8% to 66,907 head, and Queensland experienced the s...

27 Sep 2024

New Zealand: Alliance Group’s Proposal to Close Smithfield Plant

Alliance Group has announced a proposal to close its Smithfield meat processing plant in Timaru, South Canterbury. If confirmed, the proposal would mean that sheep meat, calves and night shift venison processing would cease at the Smithfield plant. Alliance would continue veni...

27 Sep 2024

Isle of Man Meats Launches Butchery Apprenticeship Programme

Isle of Man Meats has officially launched its butchery apprenticeship programme. Aimed to combat the growing global shortage of skilled butchers and to ‘invest’ in the future of local talent, the new programme provides young people with valuable training in the trade, offe...

27 Sep 2024

Defra tightens pork import rules to reduce ASF risk

Defra has tightened the rules around personal pork imports to strengthen safeguards against deadly African swine fever entering the UK, protecting the country’s £8bn pig industry. From 27 September, personal imports of pork and pork products from the European Economic Area ...

27 Sep 2024

AIMS Raises Concerns Over FSA’s Meat Charge Increase Plans

The Head of External Affairs for AIMS (Association of Independent Meat Suppliers), Dr Jason Aldiss, has expressed growing concerns over the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) plans to raise charge rates for the meat industry. “Inflationary pressures are affecting all sectors, y...

26 Sep 2024

Paraguay Plans to Boost Exports to the UK

Mercosur partner Paraguay, with a most unfavourable trade balance with UK is planning an ambitious project to enable the country in a few years reach an export bill of some US$ 900 million annually. The ambitious forecast was revealed in the report «Opportunities UK – Parag...

26 Sep 2024

GB Pig Prices Update: Drop in EU-spec SPP

Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain. The EU-spec SPP dropped back again during the week ended September 21, losing 0.29p to 208.97p/kg. It has now lost 1.21p over the past four weeks to dip below 209p/kg for the first time since February 2023, and stands 1...

26 Sep 2024

New Zealand’s Red Meat Sector Welcomes New Trade Agreement with the UAE

New Zealand’s red meat sector has warmly welcomed the announcement of a new trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), viewing it as a significant opportunity to expand market access and strengthen economic ties with the Gulf region. The UAE is a key trading part...

26 Sep 2024

Global Poultry Markets Remain Bullish Amid Rising Demand

Global poultry markets are poised for continued growth, with strong demand driving bullish forecasts, according to the latest quarterly report from Rabobank, which points to rising global consumption and constrained supply as key factors bolstering market optimism. The report ...

26 Sep 2024

Minerva’s Acquisition of Marfrig Plants Receives Regulatory Approval

São Paulo, September 2024 – Minerva Foods, one of South America’s largest meat processors, has successfully received regulatory approval for its highly anticipated acquisition of several key processing plants from Marfrig Global Foods. The deal, valued at approximatel...

25 Sep 2024

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices Update

Throughput There were 33,058 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the w/e 24 August, 2024, taking throughput for the year to date to 1,134,248 head. This is on par with the corresponding period in 2023 when a total of 1,132,248 cattle were processed. There have been...

25 Sep 2024

New Isle of Man Meats Chairman: Tackling Abattoir Challenges

The newly appointed chairman of the Isle of Man’s abattoir Meat Plant has said his priority in the role was to get to understand the challenges facing the facility. Damien Corcoran is one of five new directors appointed to the board of the Meat Plant, which receives abou...

24 Sep 2024

Neil Powell Butchers crowned Britain’s Best Butcher’s Shop

Abergavenny’s Neil Powell Butchers has won the prestigious title of Britain’s Best Butcher’s Shop at the 2024 Meat Management Industry Awards. This award is a proud moment for the entire Powell family, whose roots in traditional butchery roots span decades across Herefor...

24 Sep 2024

Irish Pig Trade & Prices Update: Upward Trend Continues

24 Sep 2024

AIMS Appoints New Executive Director

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) is proud to announce the appointment of Dr Jason Aldiss BEM BVSc MRCVS as its new Executive Director, effective from January 2025. Jason was selected after a rigorous selection process, emerging as the ideal candidate f...

23 Sep 2024

Scottish prime cattle prices reach record amid strong demand

Prime cattle prices in Scotland surged to unprecedented levels in the first half of September, driven by a seasonal reduction in beef production and strong demand. The price of R4L grade steers reached £5.17 per kilogram deadweight (dwt) during the second week of September at...

23 Sep 2024

Halal meat brand announces plans for new drive-thru stores

A halal butcher has unveiled plans for the launch their new drive-thru stores in the UK and Dubai. Tariq Halal Meat said the launch of the new concept drive-thru stores aims to service the ‘modern consumer’s need for quick, hassle-free access’. Kunal Patel, CEO of ...

21 Sep 2024

Australian Cattle and Sheep Market Report update

Cattle market This week, cattle yarded through saleyards eased 21% to 53,161 head, though year-to-date throughput remains 29% above 2023 levels. The cattle market was mixed this week. Restockers experienced some recovery, with the National Young Cattle Indicator lifting 7¢ to...

21 Sep 2024

Australia: Lamb Prices Soaring 79-158% Above Last Year

The national lamb market today is very different to what it was 12 months ago. Drying conditions and concerns of an emerging El Niño event have impacted market confidence, lifting turn-off through saleyards. Last year, the flock had been rebuilding for three years and was o...

19 Sep 2024

New Directors Appointed to Isle of Man’s Meat Plant Board

Five new directors appointed ‘Substantial’ changes to the board of the Isle of Man’s Meat Plant have been made with immediate effect. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture says it follows months of review and consideration, with the aim of stabi...

19 Sep 2024

British Red Meat Showcased at Miami Food & Beverage Show

Quality British red meat has sparkled in the sunshine state for major food service sector players from the US and beyond. Four red meat export businesses joined AHDB at the Americas Food & Beverage Show in Miami from 16-18 September to showcase British pork and lamb. Visit...

18 Sep 2024

AIMS Calls for Change to Make Food Safer, Cut Costs, and Stop Food Crime

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) is calling for big changes to how we check the safety and quality of food in the UK. Right now, the systems in place have allowed some high-profile failures, putting both businesses and consumers at risk. But there’s good ...

18 Sep 2024

Inconsistencies in border inspections ‘crippling’ meat industry

Varying standards of both physical checks and paperwork requirements for meat products at the UK’s border control posts (BCPs) are causing major issues for processors. The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (Aims) says veterinary failures are costing the industry mill...

18 Sep 2024

UK’s ‘not for EU’ meat and dairy labelling plan postponed indefinitely

Government plans to force food manufacturers to put “not for EU” labels on all meat and dairy products sold across Britain next month have been indefinitely postponed after warnings that the scheme could cause “chaos” for producers and suppliers. The government will i...

18 Sep 2024

New Zealand: Innovative Spray to Extend Red Meat Shelf Life

Researchers from Otago University, led by Dr. Sam Wardell and Dr. Daniel Pletzer, have secured a $1 million grant from New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to develop an innovative spray aimed at controlling red meat spoilage. This spray u...

17 Sep 2024

Australia reaches trade deal with UAE to boost agriculture exports

SYDNEY, Sept 17 (Reuters) – Australia said on Tuesday it had reached a trade deal with the United Arab Emirates that would remove tariffs for about 99% of Australian products, and resulting in savings of A$135 million ($91 million) in the first year. The UAE is Australia...

17 Sep 2024

Irish Pig Trade & Prices Update: Tight Supplies Drive Upward Trend

Prices: Deadweight pig prices in Ireland are on an upward trajectory in response to relatively tight supplies for slaughter. Prices have increased steadily week on week from a low of 190c/kg in mid February 2024. The average price paid for grade E pig prices in Ireland for th...

17 Sep 2024

Quality Meat Scotland launches marketing campaign

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has proudly launched its new marketing campaign, ‘When You Know, You Know’ developed with Edinburgh-based creative agency, Multiply. It highlights to consumers that there is simply no match for the livestock born and reared in Scotland under the...

16 Sep 2024

Fray Bentos: The History and Rise of an Iconic Brand

The Story of Fray Bentos: From Beef Boom to Iconic Brand Fray Bentos is a brand that has become synonymous with hearty pies and canned meats, but its story is rich in history, innovation, and international connections. Originating in South America, it has evolved into a househ...

15 Sep 2024

Why Venison Deserves a Spot on Your Table

Why Venison Deserves a Spot on Your Table: A Delicious and Sustainable Choice When it comes to choosing meats for your next meal, venison might not be the first option that comes to mind. However, it’s a meat that is becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. One of...

15 Sep 2024

Nottingham Council Implements Meat and Dairy Ban at Meetings

A city council has banned meat and dairy, promising to only serve plant-based food and drink at internal meetings from this month. Nottingham council confirmed the move at a meeting on Monday (September 9). Animal rights campaigners have praised the local authority following t...

14 Sep 2024

Beef exports under threat from EU deforestation rules

Meat processors are warning of a total loss of access to the all-important EU market for beef from next year, blaming Defra for failing to comply with the EU’s new deforestation regulations. These rules will kick in fully in 2025 and are designed to ensure that any products ...

13 Sep 2024

Australian Cattle and Sheep Market Report w/e 6th Sept 2024

Cattle market The cattle market has been generally positive, with the exception of the Feeder Steer Indicator. Yardings eased by 818 to 61,603 head and year-to-date yardings are up by 27%. The Feeder Steer Indicator eased by 7¢ to 364¢/kg liveweight (lwt), yardings eased sli...

13 Sep 2024

Calls to reinstate Orkney abattoir

Calls to reinstate an abattoir in Orkney have gained the attention of Scotland’s agriculture minister, Jim Fairlie. A meeting has been secured with Mr Fairlie by MSPs, amid cross-party calls for support of bespoke abattoir solutions in Orkney. Speaking at Rural Affairs Quest...

12 Sep 2024

Brazil asks EU to hold off on implementing deforestation law

BRASILIA, Sept 11 (Reuters) – Brazil on Wednesday asked the European Union not to implement regulations in its deforestation law at the end of the year as scheduled and asked for it to be revised to avoid hurting Brazilian exports. In a letter to the European Commission ...

10 Sep 2024

Ireland: Tighter Cattle Supplies Set to Boost Autumn Trade

Prime cattle supplies are set to tighten for the last quarter of this year and into early 2025, according to Bord Bia. And while the cow kill is up 10pc for the year to date, an improving milk price and some improvement in grass supplies may see farmers holding back on culling...

09 Sep 2024

Why Lamb Deserves a Spot on Your Table

When it comes to culinary delights, lamb stands out as a uniquely versatile and delicious option among meats. Whether you’re hosting a lavish dinner party or enjoying a family meal, incorporating lamb into your menu not only elevates the dining experience but also of...

07 Sep 2024

Tönnies to buy Vion’s German Beef Operations

Vion Food Group has successfully brokered a commercial agreement with Tönnies Group for the acquisition of the majority of Vion’s German beef operations. This proposed transaction is a direct outcome of the German portfolio review initiated in January 2024 and signifies a s...

06 Sep 2024

UK Cattle & Sheep Trade & Prices w/e August 31st 2024

Cattle Finished prime cattle prices ticked up again across most regions in the week ending 31 August. This week included the Bank Holiday Monday, as prime cattle numbers saw a dip of an estimated 2,600 on the week before to 29,500 head. However, estimated slaughter remained e...

06 Sep 2024

Irish Pig Trade & Prices w/e August 24th 2024

Prices Deadweight pig prices in Ireland are holding relatively stable after increasing strongly from a low of 190c/kg in mid-February until early August. The average price paid for grade E pig prices in Ireland for the w/e 24 August 2024 was 231c/kg excluding Vat. The curren...

06 Sep 2024

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices w/e August 24th 2024

06 Sep 2024

Australian Cattle and Sheep Market Report w/e 30th August 2024

Cattle The cattle market, although generally mixed, was still supported by a strong foundation this week. Yardings eased by 5,897 to 48,642 head, with year-to-date yardings 7% above current levels. The Heavy Steer Indicator eased by 2¢ to 345¢/kg liveweight (lwt), and prices...

06 Sep 2024

BMPA calls for new veterinary agreement with EU

The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) has called for the government to press ahead with negotiating a new veterinary agreement with the EU, in a new Meat Industry Manifesto. Launching the manifesto, the BMPA warns that the British abattoir industry is under threat f...

06 Sep 2024

Isle of Man bans some EU imports to prevent ‘goat plague’

Importing certain sheep and goat products from the European Union to the Isle of Man has been banned to prevent the highly contagious infection known as “goat plague”. The strict controls, which include postal imports of meat, cheese and milk, are to protect Manx a...

05 Sep 2024

Fall in number of British abattoirs risks ‘seriously jeopardising’ food security

Abattoir numbers have declined from about 2,500 in the 1970s to just 203 today, the British Meat Processors Association said. The fall in the number of British abattoirs from about 2,500 in the 1970s to just 203 now risks “seriously jeopardising” the country’s food secur...

05 Sep 2024

ABP becomes the first Irish beef processor to export to South Korea

ABP Food Group has become the first Irish beef processor to launch in the South Korean market by securing an export agreement with meat importer K Meat. The company said this significant long-term supply agreement has seen it deliver three shipments so far from its locations i...

05 Sep 2024

Hilton Food Group Sees Profits Surge on Increased Volumes

Hilton Food Group’s profits jumped over the first half of the year following significant volume growth in core meats. The food packaging giant revealed its adjusted pre-tax profits climbed by 37.8 per cent at constant currency levels to £33.5million in the six months en...

04 Sep 2024

GB pig prices: SPP falls to lowest level since Feb 2023

The EU-spec SPP lost 0.71p during the week ended August 31 to reach 209.37p/kg, more then cancelling out gains of 0.5p made over the previous three weeks. The price index has fallen to its lowest level since February 2023 and is now more than 15p below the same week last year ...

04 Sep 2024

NPA Calls for Removal of Tolerance on Personal Pork Imports

The NPA is calling for the government to remove the current 2kg allowance for personal pork imports, to match new measures introduced to protect the sheep sector. The NPA has been urging the government to take this step for a long time, in the face of growing evidence that por...

03 Sep 2024

Uncertainty Looms for Poland’s Pig Industry Once Again

Poland’s pig industry made it through a difficult summer. The profitability of many farms declined. There is no certainty that the rest of the year will be much better. A surge in farmgate prices in 2023 brought some long-anticipated relief to Poland’s pig farmers, but the...

02 Sep 2024

Boparan Holdings Announces Sale of European Poultry Business

Ranjit Singh Boparan is planning a “transformation” of his businesses, after announcing the intention to sell his European poultry business. Boparan, the owner of 2 Sisters Food Group said he planned to sell his European poultry operation, currently part of 2 Sisters paren...

02 Sep 2024

Smaller Abattoir Fund Grant Scheme: Deadline Approaching

Smaller Abattoir Fund Grant Scheme Closes Monday 30th September The Scheme The SAF grant scheme closes soon and we understand that many eligible abattoirs have yet to make an application. The scheme represents an excellent opportunity and can fund many types of capital invest...

02 Sep 2024

English Pig Breeding Numbers Plummet to All-Time Low

The English pig breeding has fallen to the lowest level ever recorded, despite an overall increase in pig numbers. Defra’s June livestock population update for England shows that, far from showing any signs of recovery, the breeding herd, including boars, fell back by a f...

02 Sep 2024

Warwick Students’ Union drops vegan pledge

Warwick Students’ Union (SU) has confirmed it will no longer be implementing a fully plant-based catering service by 2027, citing financial challenges. The decision, made by the unions’ Board of Trustees, comes despite the passing of a motion last year that requested all...

30 Aug 2024

Irish Pig Trade: Steady Increase in Deadweight Prices

30 Aug 2024

Police Warn of Unsafe Meat After Sheep Theft in Worcestershire

People in Worcestershire are being warned not to eat meat bought from suspicious sources as it could be unsafe. Three sheep stolen in Chaddesley Corbett may have been illegally slaughtered, according to West Mercia Police. The force added that the animals were on medication wh...

30 Aug 2024

Australian Cattle and Sheep Market Report w/e 23rd August 2024

Cattle market The cattle market was mixed this week, with increases in the Heavy Steer and Processor Cow indicators. Yardings eased for most indicators except for the Feeder Steer and Restocker Yearling Steer, which lifted by 3,046 to 53,855 head. The Feeder Steer Indicator ea...

29 Aug 2024

UK to join CPTPP by 15 December

The UK has secured the sixth and final ratification required to trigger our accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) before the end of this year. CPTPP is a free trade area spanning five continents and almost 600 million pe...

28 Aug 2024

From Soho to Everywhere: The Rise of the Kebab Shop in the UK

The Rich History of the Kebab Shop Nestled in the bustling streets of London, the first Turkish Restaurant in the UK began trading in 1940s Soho as The Istanbul. The kebab shop has become a cornerstone of culinary heritage and others like it only flourished in the 1970s. Found...

28 Aug 2024

£38m ‘Virtual’ Centre Launched to Study Alternative Proteins

A £38 million “virtual” centre that will study whether alternative protein sources such as lab-grown meat, plant proteins and insects could become part of the UK diet is due to be launched in the UK. The National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (Napic), headed up by...

28 Aug 2024

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices w/e August 17th 2024

Throughput There were 32,065 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the w/e 17 August, 2024, taking throughput for the year to date to 1,101,190 head. This is a -3,416 head or 0.5% decrease on the corresponding period in 2023 when a total of 1,097,774 cattle were proc...

28 Aug 2024

QMS ‘Meat the Market’ Workshops for Farmers

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is delighted to announce a series of “Meat the Market” workshops designed to provide farmers with essential knowledge on carcass grading, market specifications, and customer requirements. These workshops will take place at leading proces...

27 Aug 2024

Ireland: Undercurrent of weakening trade threatens lamb prices

While overall, there is little change to the trade for the lambs at the factories for this week, there is an undercurrent of a weakening in the trade being threatened. The processors are quoting 700-710c/kg for the lambs plus the usual 10-20c/kg for quality assurance. The supp...

27 Aug 2024

Beef market held up by tightening supply

Tightening beef markets may continue to give price support for the rest of the year, with lamb prices also seeing support. Deadweight beef prices lagged behind the year before during the three months between April and June, but since then they have pulled ahead. The most recen...

27 Aug 2024

Smithfield Foods Announces Separation of European Operations

Aug 27 (Reuters) – Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork processor, on Tuesday announced the separation of its European operations as the Virginia-based firm plans to list in the United States. WH Group, Smithfield’s China-based parent group, was working...

27 Aug 2024

Restrictions after bluetongue virus detected in sheep

A sheep in Norfolk has become the first animal to test positive for the bluetongue virus since March. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) said a case was confirmed on a farm close to Haddiscoe, external, near Beccles. A 20km (12.4 mile) temporary...

26 Aug 2024

Makro planning Argentine exodus?

Makro, a leading wholesale supermarket chain where anyone can shop at more convenient prices, has announced its decision to leave crisis-ridden Argentina after some 30 years in the South American country where sales keep plunging despite President Javier Milei’s administ...

26 Aug 2024

France Starts New Avian Influenza Vaccination Campaign

The French department of agriculture has purchased another 67.75 million doses of a vaccine against high pathogenic avian influenza. The new avian influenza vaccination campaign will begin on 1 October. The government will cover 70% of the costs during the first 3 months of th...

25 Aug 2024

Uruguay seeks to reduce its reliance on China for beef exports

Uruguay is committed to lessen its dependence on the Chinese market for its sales of meat and beef in particular. In recent years China, as with most other Latin American countries has become its main trade partner, absorbing non processed agricultural commodities and minerals...

25 Aug 2024

Shrinking Supply Threatens to “Destabilise” Welsh Beef Industry

The future stability of the Welsh beef industry could be in jeopardy after new half-yearly data reveals a serious shrinkage in cattle supply. There were 213,200 calf birth registrations in Wales during the first six months of 2024, a decrease of over 10,000 calves year-on-year...

25 Aug 2024

Wagyu beef’s wholesale price falls to 4-year low as consumption slows

TOKYO — Wholesale prices of wagyu beef in Japan have fallen to the lowest level since June 2020 when demand for meat from the Japanese cattle breeds slumped amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With prices showing no signs of a rebound, farmers — already tormented by risin...

25 Aug 2024

Waitrose puts lamb hearts back on menu

Waitrose is to reintroduce lamb hearts to its stores as Britons embrace more traditional cuts of meat. The supermarket scrapped selling the hearts in 2016, having first put them on the menu five years earlier. But the chain will offer the delicacy for sale again from Wednesday...

24 Aug 2024

‘No mistreatment’ in activists’ undercover abattoir footage

Undercover footage of a Suffolk abattoir published by animal rights campaigners shows no mistreatment of pigs, according to a leading vet who has watched the clips. This week, the Animal Justice Project (AJP) released a six-minute video of its 2023 operation at C&K Meats, ...

24 Aug 2024

Agricultural Exports from Russia See 10%-11% YoY Growth in 2024

KAZAN. Aug 23 (Interfax) – Russian agricultural exports are 10%-11% higher year-on-year in 2024 in terms of tonnage, Agriculture Minister Oksana Luth told journalists in Kazan. However, there is a lag in terms of value compared to last year’s figures owing to a dec...

23 Aug 2024

Inspired Pet Nutrition acquires Butcher’s Pet Care

Inspired Pet Nutrition (IPN), an independent UK pet food company controlled by CapVest Partners, has announced the acquisition of Butcher’s Pet Care (BPC), a manufacturer of wet pet food. Terms of the transaction are not being disclosed, but it’s expected to be complet...

23 Aug 2024

Australian Cattle and Sheep Market Report w/e 16th August 2024

Cattle market The cattle market was generally positive this week despite a 14¢ decline in heavy steer prices. Yardings eased once again, totalling 48,488 head. The National Young Cattle Indicator lifted 14¢ to 357¢/kg liveweight (lwt). This is the second-highest price this ...

23 Aug 2024

Major changes planned for Bridport Abattoir

EXTENSIONS and other changes are planned for a vacant slaughterhouse at Mangerton Lane, Bradpole. If agreed it could result in a doubling of staff, from 20 to 40, and 1,400 square metres of extra space. The planning proposal is currently out for public consultation with a Sept...

23 Aug 2024

Russia’s Pork Production to Reach 7.1 Million Tonnes by 2030

UFA. Aug 22 (Interfax) – The National Union of Pork Producers forecasts that Russia will increase annual pork production to 7.1 million tonnes in live weight by 2030, Bashkir Meat Company LLC said. “By 2030 pork production in the country will increase to 7.1 millio...

22 Aug 2024

Simulation exercise tests UK preparation for ASF outbreak

The NPA and AHDB have hosted held an ASF simulation exercise, bringing together around 30 individuals from different organisations and government departments to discuss the consequences of an outbreak. The event, in London in late-July, was structured around a hypothetical sce...

22 Aug 2024

Vion sells shares in two German meat sites

Vion Food has signed an agreement to sell its shares in the Vilshofen and Landshut sites to Erzeugergemeinschaft Südbayern (EG Südbayern), which previously held a 49% stake in these sites. The transaction is expected to close later this year, subject to customary closing con...

22 Aug 2024

Isle of Man Meat Plant Management Faces No Confidence Vote

A farmer’s union has declared a vote of no confidence in the management of the Isle of Man’s government-subsidised Meat Plant. The Manx National Farmers’ Union (MNFU) issued an open letter calling for action to be taken. The letter said an increase in cancell...

21 Aug 2024

Australian farmers increasingly concerned about government policy

CANBERRA, Aug 21 (Reuters) – A rising number of Australian farmers are disgruntled with the government’s climate and agricultural policies, a survey showed on Wednesday, as measures to protect the environment draw farmers’ ire in Europe and some other place...

21 Aug 2024

Uncontrolled spread of ASF in Ukraine poses threat to UK

African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks on farms supplying Ukrainian troops and the general public pose a threat to the UK’s pig industry, ministers have been warned. According to the Ukrainian Meat Industry Association (MIA), some farmers dealing with outbreaks have submitted v...

20 Aug 2024

France to start second bird flu vaccination campaign in October

PARIS, Aug 20 (Reuters) – France will launch a second vaccination campaign against avian influenza among farm ducks in October after a successful inaugural programme last year, Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau said on Tuesday. The disease, commonly called bird flu, wa...

20 Aug 2024

Irish Sheep Trade & Prices w/e August 10th 2024

Quotes Base quotes for spring lambs from the major processors have improved slightly this week with €7.00-7.05/kg (+QA bonus) on offer. Relatively tight lamb supplies combined with some stability in demand from the domestic and export markets have contributed to this firming...

20 Aug 2024

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices w/e August 10th 2024

Throughput There were 30,699 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the week ending 10 August 2024, taking throughput for the year to date to 1,069,125 head. This is a +6,100 head or 0.5% increase on the corresponding period in 2023 when a total of 1,063,024 cattle we...

20 Aug 2024

Russian pork producers target EU’s share of China’s pork market

MOSCOW, Aug 19 (Reuters) – Russian pork producers are aiming to capture 10% of China’s pork import market in the coming years from a standing start, seeking to take advantage of trade tensions between the European Union and China, the world’s biggest pork con...

20 Aug 2024

Ireland: Lamb prices steady as ewe offerings fall

The sheep trade this week has shown signs of stability for lamb prices, but the same cannot be said for offerings for ewes from some processors. This week (beginning Monday, August 19), base prices for spring lambs are at €7/kg up to €7.05/kg, while quality assured (QA)...

20 Aug 2024

New Zealand Sheep and Cattle Numbers Decline Amidst Carbon Forestry, Drought, and Low Prices

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has released its annual Stock Number Survey, showing a notable decline in both sheep and cattle numbers as of 30 June 2024. The reduction follows significant decreases in the past couple of years. While the primary driver in previous years has b...

20 Aug 2024

Meat industry decries increased border taxes

Additional costs for importing meat and plant products from the EU have disadvantaged meat traders, who warn of excessive increases for little to no benefit. The introduction of “common user charges” on imports in late April were anticipated to be less than £145 a lorry. ...

19 Aug 2024

Beef Consumption in Argentina Hits 26-Year Low

Beef consumption in Argentina dropped 14.1 percent in the first seven months of 2024 year-on-year and is at its lowest level in the last 26 years, according to data from a top industry chamber. A report by the CICRA (Argentine Chamber of Industry and Trade of Meats and Related...

16 Aug 2024

Australian cattle and sheep market wrap w/e 9th August 2024

Cattle market The cattle market has been generally positive with a 12% lift in the heavy steer price, while yardings eased by 24,406 to 50,244 head (a 30% reduction). The Processor Cow Indicator rose by 20¢ to 290¢/kg liveweight (lwt) while the Dairy Cow Indicator eased by 4...

16 Aug 2024

New Zealand sheep production set to fall

Key points: New Zealand sheep and lamb slaughter rose over 2023–24 to 22.2 million head. In June 2024, slaughter fell 16% when compared to 2023 numbers. Improved conditions on the North Island are likely to assist flock rebuilding. The New Zealand sheep flock has been fallin...

16 Aug 2024

Minerva and Marfrig’s Asset Deal Conditionally Approved in Brazil

Minerva’s asset deal with Marfrig has been granted conditional approval by Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE). Minerva Foods and Marfrig Global Foods are two of the largest meat processors in Brazil. Minerva is focused on beef production an...

15 Aug 2024

Slump in sales of sheepskins and cow hides hits abattoirs

A once lucrative by-product for abattoirs is increasingly becoming a cost for the sector, with sales of sheepskins and cow hides still struggling to recover to pre-pandemic levels. Demand has reportedly been sluggish due to increased labour and energy costs associated with pro...

14 Aug 2024

Meat Processing and Technology: A Modern-Day Investigation

In today’s fast-paced world, technology is playing an increasingly important role in all industries, including meat processing. With advancements in robotics and automation, the meat processing industry is undergoing a transformation like never before. This investigation...

14 Aug 2024

NSA urges government action on illegal sheep meat imports

Vast quantities of sheep meat have been brought into the UK illegally during the past few months, according to industry intelligence. The National Sheep Association (NSA) called for the “alarming rise” in illegal sheep meat imports to be addressed urgently by the new Labou...

13 Aug 2024

Argentina and China: Strengthening Ties through Beef Trade

Argentina’s economic relationship with China has become increasingly important, with growing trade highlighted by increasing Argentine beef exports, points out the English language China Daily. Something which to a certain point is surprising, given the electoral campaign sp...

13 Aug 2024

Danish Crown Appoints Niels Duedahl as CEO

(Bloomberg) — Danish Crown A/S hired Niels Duedahl from energy firm Norlys AS to lead Europe’s biggest pork producer as it combats flagging demand. Duedahl, who has helmed Norlys since 2009, will start on Sept. 2, according to a statement on Monday. He takes over fro...

12 Aug 2024

EU Targeting New Pork Export Markets Beyond China

The antidumping investigation looking at EU pork imports into China has been influencing global trade, as European countries look to target alternative markets. See also: Potential EU-China Trade War and its Impact on Global Pork Trade China issues plan and preliminary results...

12 Aug 2024

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices w/e August 3rd 2024

Throughput There were 32,858 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the week ending August 3rd 2024, taking throughput for the year to date to 1,038,426 head. This is a +8,731 head or 2% increase on the corresponding period in 2023 when a total of 1,029,695 cattle wer...

12 Aug 2024

Irish Sheep Trade & Prices w/e August 3rd 2024

Quotes Base quotes for spring lambs from the major processors have improved again this week with €7.00- €7.20/kg (+QA bonus) on offer. Relatively tight lamb supplies combined with some stability in demand from the domestic and export markets have contributed to this firm...

12 Aug 2024

China issues plan and preliminary results of anti-dumping probe into EU pork

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) issued notice on Thursday, saying that investigating authorities will use a sampling method in anti-dumping probe into EU pork, while providing further details on the sampling plan and the preliminary sampling results for anti-dumpin...

11 Aug 2024

The Ultimate Guide to King Crab Season

King crab season is a much-anticipated time of year for seafood enthusiasts and those in the meat trade alike. This exquisite crustacean, often considered the crown jewel of the sea, has captivated the palates of many with its delicate flavour and tender, succulent meat. If yo...

09 Aug 2024

Argentina Lowers Levy On Beef Exports

The Argentine government is lowering beef export tax 25%, from 9% to 6,75% basically “to promote sales to foreign markets and improve the level of income of producers and processors, favoring the insertion of Argentina in international markets”, points out the decree publi...

07 Aug 2024

UK livestock bodies warn ministers Dover border control failings are a ‘disaster waiting to happen’

A coalition of 26 UK livestock trade associations has written to Defra Secretary Steve Reed to express the industry’s ‘serious concerns’ over the current state of border controls at the Port of Dover. The Livestock Chain Advisory Group (LCAG) told Mr Reed these concerns ...

06 Aug 2024

Australian Red Meat Exports Boom in UK since Free Trade Agreement

One year after the implementation of the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Australian red meat exports to the UK have experienced significant growth, dispelling initial concerns about an influx of lower-cost products. According to data presented at a recent trade event ...

05 Aug 2024

Irish Sheep Trade & Prices w/e July 27th 2024

Quotes Base quotes for spring lambs from the major processors have improved slightly this week with €6.90-€6.95/kg (+QA bonus) on offer. Relatively tight lamb supplies combined with some stability in demand from the domestic and export markets have contributed to this fi...

05 Aug 2024

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices w/e July 27th 2024

Cattle & Beef Throughput There were 32,858 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the week ending July 27th 2024, taking throughput for the year to date to 1,005,993 head. This is a +10,143 head or 2% increase on the corresponding period in 2023 when a total of 99...

05 Aug 2024

New Zealand’s Shift: Scrapping Green Policies for Economic Boost

WELLINGTON, Aug 5 (Reuters) – New Zealand’s green credentials are at risk as the government rolls back environmental reforms in a bid to boost a flailing economy and fulfil promises made to its voters. Since taking power last year, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon&...

04 Aug 2024

American Love of Burgers Fuels New Zealand’s Red Meat Sector

An insatiable hunger for beef burgers and a renewed love for lamb are helping keep New Zealand’s red meat sector buoyant, while demand from China remains weak. New Zealand’s red meat exports to the United States and Canada have risen this year. See also: NZ repor...

02 Aug 2024

Australian cattle and sheep market wrap w/e 28th July 2024

Key points: Sheep and lamb slaughter rose 8%, buoyed by processors coming back online after schedules closures. Feeder steer prices lifted to numbers not seen since May 2023. Sheep and lamb yardings eased by 25%. Cattle market The cattle market was positive once again, with al...

30 Jul 2024

Greece Bans Movement of Goats and Sheep Due to ‘Goat Plague’

ATHENS, July 29 (Reuters) – Greece has banned moving sheep and goats from their farms to try to contain a viral infection known as “goat plague” after new cases were detected over the weekend, the agriculture ministry said on Monday. The virus, also known as ...

25 Jul 2024

China Aims to Control Dairy & Beef Output to Stabilise Prices

BEIJING, July 24 (Reuters) – China plans to implement measures to help dairy and beef producers limit production to prevent prices from falling further, an agriculture official said on Wednesday, adding to existing rules on pork producers as meat consumption declines. Th...

23 Jul 2024

Global demand for Australian beef rising

Australia’s market share in Japan and Korea is continuing to lift as the United States emerges as the number one export destination for beef in Q1 2024, according to a new global market update from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA). MLA’s latest Global Beef Market Updat...

22 Jul 2024

China Targets Danish, Dutch, and Spanish Firms in EU Pork Probe

BEIJING, July 18 (Reuters) – China on Thursday named Danish Crown A/S, as well as Dutch and Spanish pork firms as targets in an anti-dumping probe into European Union pork imports, as Beijing steps up pressure against the bloc’s curbs on its electric vehicle export...

22 Jul 2024

Lidl Invests £1.5bn In British Beef Production

Lidl is beefing up its sustainability commitments with the launch of £1.5bn investment into British beef production over the next 5 years. The discounter is aiming to set a new standard in sustainable beef production through the cash injection, as it partners with British b...

22 Jul 2024

South Korean beef buyers visit Irish farms and processors

Bord Bia is hosting eight beef buyers from South Korea on a tour of Ireland, visiting beef farms and meat processors from July 15th to 20th. The group, which includes leading meat importers and distributors from South Korea, will follow a busy itinerary designed to give them ...

21 Jul 2024

Brazil Suspends Poultry Meat Exports Over Sanitary Concerns

Brazilian authorities halted all shipments of poultry meat to China, Europe, and Argentina on Friday after a case of Newcastle disease was detected in the municipality of Anta Gorda in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. “In line with international standards on trade in poultry ...

18 Jul 2024

Lambs hold above £6/kg as tight supply helps steady falls

The highs of up to £200/lamb witnessed earlier this year may appear a distant memory, however, after a period of decline, lamb prices have started to stabilise again. New season lambs averaged at 645.6p/kg deadweight for the week ending 13 July, with trade still slightly abov...

18 Jul 2024

Britain becomes first country in Europe to approve lab-grown meat

Britain has become the first country in Europe to approve lab-grown meat, paving the way for cultivated chicken to be sold in pet stores as early as this year. British start-up Meatly has received the green light from UK regulators for its lab-grown meat to be used in pet fo...

18 Jul 2024

Petfood Giant Inspired Explores Acquisition of Butchers Petcare

One of Britain’s biggest petfood manufacturers is in talks to add another independent producer to its stable of brands. Sky News understands that Capvest, the owner of Inspired Pet Nutrition (IPN), is orchestrating a bid for Butchers Petcare. Also: German meat group West...

17 Jul 2024

Analysis: English Beef and Lamb Standards vs European Markets

The latest report focuses on EU markets including Ireland, Germany, Poland, France and the Netherlands. The reports, which are independently reviewed, evidence the current position regarding farmgate production standards at both a regulatory and voluntary level in England. Thi...

16 Jul 2024

US invests $110 million in meat and poultry processing

To date, the Biden-Harris Administration has invested a total of over $700 million in 48 states and Puerto Rico for projects that help to expand the nation’s independent meat and poultry processing capacity U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announce...

15 Jul 2024

ASF outbreaks spreading in Vietnam, government say

HANOI, July 15 (Reuters) – African swine fever outbreaks are spreading in Vietnam and could affect its food supplies and put upward pressure on inflation, according to a government document. ASF has for years disrupted the $250 billion global pork market. In the worst ou...

15 Jul 2024

Irish Sheep Trade & Prices w/e July 6th 2024

Quotes Base quotes for hoggets from the major processors have tightened this week with base quotes of €7.00-€7.20/kg (+QA bonus) on offer. Prices have continued to come under pressure this week with reports of weaker demand from some major customers for Irish lamb. Irela...

15 Jul 2024

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices w/e July 6th 2024

Cattle & Beef Throughput: There were 32,340 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the week ending July 6th 2024, taking throughput for the year to date to 907,685 head. This is a -8,459 head or 1% decrease on the corresponding period in 2023 when a total of 899,...

12 Jul 2024

Defra Team Urged to Reverse Decline in UK’s Abattoir Network

The new government has been urged by rural campaigners to maintain the progress on action to reverse the decline of the UK’s local abattoir network. Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) has called on the new Defra ministers to announce ‘considered and robust support&#...

10 Jul 2024

GB pig prices: SPP falls

Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain. The EU-spec SPP fell by 0.91p to stand at 209.50p/kg during the week ended July 6, cancelling out all the previous week’s gain. The SPP is currently at it’s lowest level since February 2023 and is down by 3.29p/kg s...

09 Jul 2024

Brazil’s Beef Exports Reach New Heights in 2024

Brazil establishes new beef export record in the first half of this year, having shipped 1,29 million tons of animal protein, which represents a 27% over the same period in 2023, with 1.019 million tons. Revenues was up 17%, to US$ 5,69 billion. Also: JBS Exceeds Expectations ...

08 Jul 2024

German Poultry Industry Rejects VAT Increase On Meat Products

The Central Association of the German Poultry Industry (ZDG) has rejected a plan outlined by the government to increase VAT on meat products. The funds raised by the proposed tax increase will be used to restructure livestock farming. The president of ZDG, Friedrich-Otto ...

08 Jul 2024

Irish Sheep Trade & Prices w/e June 29th 2024

Quotes Base quotes for hoggets from the major processors have tightened this week with base quotes of €7.50-€7.70/kg (+QA bonus) on offer. Prices have continued to come under pressure this week with reports of weaker demand from some major customers for Irish lamb. Irela...

08 Jul 2024

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices w/e June 29th 2024

Cattle & Beef Throughput: There were 31,856 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the week ending June 29th 2024, taking throughput for the year to date to 875,327 head. This is a -8,851 head or 2% increase on the corresponding period in 2023 when a total of ...

05 Jul 2024

Sheep and Goat Meat Exports from Australia Reach All-Time Highs

The past financial year has seen a huge burst in export volumes, with Australian export numbers for red meat the highest on record at over 2 million tonnes. Lamb, mutton and goatmeat all had record high volumes, while beef exports matched the levels seen during 2019–20. Lamb...

05 Jul 2024

Argentina beef consumption seen at record low in 2024

BUENOS AIRES, July 5 (Reuters) – Beef-loving Argentines are cutting back on their steaks as the country’s economy slumps, meaning cattle consumption will likely hit a record low this year, a market report published on Friday showed. Argentina’s beef consumpti...

04 Jul 2024

Potential EU-China Trade War and its Impact on Global Pork Trade

A potential trade war between the EU and China could have major repercussions for the global pork trade, including in the UK, experts have warned. China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) confirmed in mid-June that it was launching an anti-dumping investigation into EU pork pr...

01 Jul 2024

AIMS: Norman Bagley steps down

Press Statement: Norman Bagley to spend more time with golf clubs. After nearly 25 years of visionary leadership, Norman Bagley, the stalwart founder and driving force behind the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS), is stepping back from his day-to-day role. Since...

01 Jul 2024

China food scientists combine lab-grown pork & chicken with rice

Researchers in Beijing say they have developed rice dishes that involve embedding meat cells into various grain varieties that grow in the laboratory to produce balanced, nutritious meals. Also: South Korean Scientists Develop ‘Beef Rice’ The research, which has not yet be...

01 Jul 2024

NatWest Faces Criticism over Meat Consumption Advice

NatWest is locked in a row with farmers for urging customers to buy less red meat. A “carbon footprint tracker” on the bank’s mobile app uses transaction data to advise customers on how to reduce their carbon footprint by changing their spending habits. The National Farm...

28 Jun 2024

From Knighthood to Culinary Delight: The History of The Sirloin

One of the meat industry’s most popular cuts is the sirloin. With its medieval history and versatility for cooking, it’s easy to see why. Grilled, roasted, pan-seared, or even as leftovers in a sandwich, this cut of beef has a delicious and long-standing history in British...

28 Jun 2024

New Zealand exporters to lead Taste Pure Nature programme

New Zealand exporters will take the lead in advancing the Taste Pure Nature brand and activity programme, which is designed to raise awareness and drive preference for New Zealand grass-fed beef and lamb. “As a sector, our future lies in driving more value and ultimately h...

28 Jun 2024

EU Exports of Pork to UK Plummet

EU countries have exported 181,800 tonnes of pork and pork meat products to the United Kingdom in the first quarter of 2024. Although that might seem a lot, it is the lowest Q1 volume on record, excluding 2021 when Brexit had a severe impact on trade, the agricultural levy boa...

28 Jun 2024

UK Cattle & Sheep Market Wrap: Week Ending 27th June 2024

Key points Prices for week ending 22 June 2024 Average prime deadweight cattle prices were relatively steady in the latest week, as supplies reduced. Cows saw slight pressure in the overall average price despite lower kill. Conversely, new season lamb prices continued on their...

28 Jun 2024

Australian cattle and sheep market wrap w/e 21st June 2024

Key points: Lamb slaughter once again reached record numbers, processing 511,102 head. Cattle slaughter was the highest since January 2020, at 142,390 head. Restocker Yearling Steer prices fell below Feeder Steers for the first time since October 2023. Cattle market The cattle...

28 Jun 2024

Irish Sheep Trade & Prices w/e June 15th 2024

Quotes Base quotes for hoggets from the major processors have tightened this week with base quotes of €8.80-€9.20/kg (+QA bonus) on offer. Small numbers of spring lambs have started to be processed in Irish processing plants with quotes of €9.10-9.20/kg (+QA bonus) avail...

28 Jun 2024

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices w/e June 15th 2024

Cattle & Beef Throughput: There were 29,653 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the week ending June 15th 2024, taking throughput for the year to date to 812,584 head. This is a 11,534 head or 2% increase on the corresponding period in 2023 when a total of 8...

27 Jun 2024

Denmark to charge farmers £80 per cow in world-first meat tax

Denmark will charge farmers up to £80 for every cow in a world-first carbon tax on agriculture as the country tries to encourage people to eat less meat to tackle climate change. Agriculture is the largest emitting sector in Denmark, a major pork and dairy exporter and the g...

27 Jun 2024

Worsening financial performance for Ukraine’s largest poultry processor

Ukraine’s largest poultry processor, MHP, saw its net profit plummet nearly threefold due to the devaluation of the hryvnia and a surge in conflict-related costs. During the first quarter of 2024, MHP generated a net profit of US$16 million compared with US$49 million in t...

27 Jun 2024

GB pig prices: SPP falls again – NPA

Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain. The EU-spec SPP lost another 0.62p during the week ended June 15 to stand at 209.94p/kg, more than cancelling out the previous week’s gain of 0.4p. After the shock 1.23p reduction during the first week of week of Jun...

26 Jun 2024

Russia exporting pork to Iran

Russia’s southern Rostov region has exported 17 tonnes of pork to Iran over a five-day period, the Russian agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor reported on June 26. Despite the newly listed export market, Iran is technically a pork-free market due to being overwhelming...

26 Jun 2024

Pork market update: EU production steady as prices see some stability

Key points: Total EU production saw marginal gains of 0.3% in the first quarter compared to 2023 Large production declines in Spain and Denmark as slaughter levels fall The EU Grade E pig price was sitting stable before dipping in the week ending 16 June ASF remains a huge cha...

26 Jun 2024

Meat recalled in south east due to food safety concerns

Restaurants, cafes and hotels in the south east and London have been told to remove certain meat products from menus over fears they are not safe to eat. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said it had asked trading standards officers to remove products made by Block and Cleaver, ...

25 Jun 2024

Hilton Foods says plan for Drogheda expansion will add 60 jobs

Hilton Foods, the London-listed meat-processing group, has moved to extend its facility in Drogheda. If successful, the move will add 60 jobs to its 280-strong workforce in Ireland. Last week, Hilton Foods submitted a planning application to Louth County Council seeking to ext...

24 Jun 2024

Poland’s President Urges China to Open Market for Polish Meat

We want to achieve a greater opening on the Chinese market, above all for our meat products, Poland’s President Andrzej Duda said before departing for China on Saturday. During his five-day official visit, the president will meet China’s President Xi Jinping and Pr...

22 Jun 2024

Concerns about ‘Toxic Bullying Culture’ at Hybu Cig Cymru

A Conservative MS called for Hybu Cig Cymru to be made fully independent amid concerns about a “toxic bullying culture” within the meat promotion organisation. James Evans, the shadow rural affairs secretary, warned the farming industry is losing faith in Hybu Cig Cymru (H...

21 Jun 2024

Pig prices: SPP regains some lost ground – NPA

The EU-spec SPP regained some lost ground, increasing by 0.4p to stand at 210.56p/kg during the week ended June 15, following the previous week’s shock 1.23p fall. It is now 3.3p below where it was at the start of the year and more than 12p below a year ago. The APP, ...

18 Jun 2024

Tesco to reduce chicken stocking density by first half of 2025

All of Tesco’s fresh chicken will be grown with 20% more space than the industry standard, the retailer has announced. The measure, announced by the supermarket today (18 June), forms part of a range of improvements to its poultry welfare standards. It means chickens wil...

18 Jun 2024

Danish lobby group urges swift solution to China’s threatened pork tariffs

COPENHAGEN, June 17 (Reuters) – Denmark’s pork industry said it would be hit hard if China restricts imports of European meat, the lobby group Danish Agriculture & Food Council told Reuters on Monday, and called for a solution to be found before July 4. China...

18 Jun 2024

Rival pork exporters could benefit from China-EU trade tensions

SINGAPORE, June 17 (Reuters) – Pork suppliers from South America and the U.S. could gain market share in China if Beijing restricts imports from the European Union in response to escalating trade tensions, traders and analysts said. Russia, increasingly a close trading ...

18 Jun 2024

Welsh red meat body in turmoil after two directors resign

Welsh red meat levy body Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) – Meat Promotion Wales – is descending into chaos amid reports of internal divisions, board members and key staff leaving, Farmers Weekly understands. The role of chairwoman Catherine Smith is coming under scrutiny after 39 m...

17 Jun 2024

Spain Calls for Talks to Avoid Tariffs on EU Pork Exports to China

MADRID, June 17 (Reuters) – Spain on Monday called for negotiations to avoid tariffs on its pork exports to China, after Beijing said it would open an anti-dumping probe into pork coming from the European Union. Also: EU pork industry faces ‘nightmare’ if China restr...

17 Jun 2024

Irish Pig Market Update 12th June

There was no announced change to Irish pig prices on Friday. Producers are reporting quotes of at least €2.26 – €2.33 available from processors in ROI, with some reporting up to €2.35/kg. This signals strong demand for pigs with the average price circa €2...

17 Jun 2024

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices w/e June 8th 2024

Cattle & Beef Throughput: There were 28,736 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the week ending June 8th 2024, taking throughput for the year to date to 782,949 head. This is a 14,280 head or 2% increase on the corresponding period in 2023 when a total of 76...

17 Jun 2024

Cattle slaughtered due to bTB incident up 17% in Wales

Total animals slaughtered due to a bovine TB incident in Wales has increased by 17 percent, bleak new government figures show. The figures, covering April 2023 to March 2024, show that a total of 11,197 cattle were slaughtered due to bTB, a rise of 17%. Overall TB herd inciden...

17 Jun 2024

Dawn Meats and Aldi agree new five year deal

Dawn Meats and Aldi have signed a new, five-year supply contract worth €125m. Dawn Meats has been supplying Aldi since 2010 and, under the terms of the new deal, it will increase the amount it sells to Aldi by 35%. It will also add six new lines to the Aldi range. See also: ...

16 Jun 2024

EU pork industry faces ‘nightmare’ if China restricts imports

HAMBURG/LLEIDA, June 14 (Reuters) – Europe’s pork industry faces a “nightmare scenario” of lower prices and falling profitability if China restricts imports from the region, industry executives and analysts said on Friday. Chinese firms have asked for a...

16 Jun 2024

Irish Horse Abattoir Shut Down Amidst Welfare Abuses Investigation

The abattoir where RTÉ Investigates filmed “distressing” footage of welfare abuses on horses has been shut down by Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue. McConalogue said his Department is “actively investigating the absolutely abhorrent mistreatment of animals and s...

14 Jun 2024

NZ report on China market examines when demand may improve

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has published a market insights report detailing the current and projected state of New Zealand’s red meat exports to China. The report highlights several key factors influencing market conditions and when we may expect to see conditions impro...

14 Jun 2024

China firms seek anti-dumping probe of EU pork imports, ramping up tensions

BEIJING, June 14 (Reuters) – Chinese firms have formally applied for an anti-dumping probe into pork imports from the European Union, the state-backed Global Times reported, escalating tensions after the bloc imposed anti-subsidy duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles....

14 Jun 2024

Is the Australian lamb market becoming more volatile?

Key points: Lamb prices are more volatile as market players become more reactive to market conditions. Slaughter can help indicate the overall supply of the market. Relying on the lamb production life cycle to predict prices without considering the overall market can lead to u...

14 Jun 2024

South Korea lifts restrictions on French and Irish beef

South Korea is reopening its borders to French and Irish beef, after closing them in 2001 following the “mad cow” scandal, the European Commission announced on Thursday (13 June), calling it a “significant development” at a time when EU beef market is stagnating. This ...

13 Jun 2024

Food Security is National Security: Labour’s Stance in Manifesto

Labour has said that “food security is national security” as the party announced its general election manifesto today. Unveiled by Sir Keir Starmer in Manchester, the manifesto says Labour would “champion British farming whilst protecting the environment̶...

12 Jun 2024

GB pig prices for w/e June 8th, 2024 – SPP and APP both record large drops

Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain. In an unwelcome shock for many pig producers, the EU-spec SPP dropped back by 1.23p during the week ended June 8, to stand at 210.16p/kg, while the APP has also recorded a big loss. This was the biggest movement either...

12 Jun 2024

LDC to Acquire Cargill’s Polish Konspol Poultry Brand

French poultry processing company LDC is set to acquire the Konspol Poland brand and factory from agri-food giant Cargill. Financial details were not disclosed. The plant is located in Nowy Sacz in southern Poland and generated a consolidated turnover of €35m ($38m) in 2023,...

11 Jun 2024

Browns Food Group Partners with AK Stoddart

AK Stoddart has become Scotland’s largest privately-owned meat business, thanks to a multi-million pound investment from Browns Food Group. This move creates Scotland’s largest privately-owned meat business and reinforces investment in the Scottish meat sector. The com...

11 Jun 2024

Pig prices start to climb as EU market improves

Stagnant GB pig prices have held at about 211p/kg since the beginning of 2024, however uplifts in EU prices and increased domestic demand could help to provide some support moving forward. The EU-spec standard pig price improved marginally during early June to 211.4p/kg, while...

11 Jun 2024

Liz Truss Slams ‘Animal Extremists’ Targeting Farmers

Former Prime Minister Liz Truss has made comments against animal ‘extremists’ who ‘intimidate’ farming businesses. Ms Truss, who was also once Defra Secretary, touched upon the subject while in her constituency South West Norfolk, as she bids to be re-e...

11 Jun 2024

New Zealand Abandons Plan to Price Agricultural Emissions

New Zealand has ended a plan to put a price on agricultural emissions including methane produced by burping sheep and cattle, relenting to farmer pressure that it would make their business unprofitable. The conservative government would establish a Pastoral Sector Group with r...

10 Jun 2024

Irish Sheep Trade & Prices w/e June 1st 2024

Quotes: Base quotes for hoggets from the major processors have tightened this week with base quotes of €8.80-€9.20/kg (+QA bonus) on offer. Small numbers of spring lambs have started to be processed in Irish processing plants with quotes of €9.10-9.20/kg (+QA bonus) ava...

10 Jun 2024

Irish Beef Market Update: Implications for the UK

Irish finished cattle prices have been relatively robust through the first few months of 2024. We recap the key trends in the market, the outlook for the rest of the year, and what this could mean for the UK. See also: Irish Sheep Trade & Prices w/e May 19th 2024 Key point...

10 Jun 2024

The Impact of the 2024 General Election on the Pig Sector

The decision to call a July 4 general election has already had an impact on some big policy issues affecting the pig sector and will have longer-term implications on others. ALISTAIR DRIVER looks into some of the hot topics. Rishi Sunak’s July 4 general election call took pr...

10 Jun 2024

Pilgrim’s Europe Announces Closure of Spurway Factory in West London

Pilgrim’s Europe has announced plans to close its Spurway factory, in West London, resulting in the loss of up to 170 jobs. The Pilgrim’s Food Masters factory in Southall makes chilled and frozen meals for Morrisons, Aldi and Waitrose. See also: Pilgrim’s Ashton pork p...

06 Jun 2024

Jais Valeur to step down as Group CEO of Danish Crown

In May, the Board of Directors of Danish Crown and the Executive Board started work on a new group strategy, which is expected to be ready for presentation in the autumn. Prior to this, Group CEO Jais Valeur has discussed with Chairman of the Board Asger Krogsgaard the need to...

06 Jun 2024

Kazakhstan plans to end dependence on US poultry imports

The Kazakh government has greenlit a plan to boost domestic poultry production by 200,000 tonnes through 2026 thanks to the expansion of 4 major broiler farms. The move will put an end to the decade-long dependence on foreign poultry supplies, primarily from the US. See also: ...

06 Jun 2024

Australian Red Meat Continues to Gain Popularity in the USA

Lamb During May, 36,703 tonnes of lamb were exported, which is the highest lamb export on record for a single month. The United States (US) continues to be the largest market for Australian lamb, followed by China and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The increas...

06 Jun 2024

Lamb trade starts to falter after months of strong returns

Livestock farmers have received a decent return for lambs so far in 2024, with finished deadweight prices staying above £8/kg since mid-March. However, as new season lambs start to come through in greater numbers, its unclear how much longer the trade will be able to hold. Th...

06 Jun 2024

Germany has new African swine fever case

HAMBURG, June 6 (Reuters) – A case of African swine fever (ASF) has been confirmed in farm pigs in east Germany, authorities said on Thursday. It was confirmed on a pig breeding farm in Greifswald in the eastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the state’s agricult...

05 Jun 2024

Lamb throughput marginally higher than expected but concerns remain

The latest figures for lambs processed to date were marginally higher than expected, recent processing figures from Defra have revealed, which has been welcomed by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC). However, the red meat promotion body has raised concerns about the...

05 Jun 2024

Product judging underway for 2024 Meat Industry Awards

Product judging for this year’s Meat Management Industry Awards has commenced and judges are already saying that this year will be one of the most competitive ever. Over a busy few days, many hundreds of products will be evaluated at the Regional Food Academy test kitchens, ...

05 Jun 2024

GB pig prices: edge up as slaughter numbers slip

In May the EU spec SPP averaged 211.19p/kg, an increase of 0.29p from April. Weekly movements varied during the period with small declines recorded in the week ending 04 and 25 May. However, these were counteracted by increases through the rest of the month, with notably lar...

04 Jun 2024

UK red meat trade bonus predicted as EU livestock numbers shrink

Early year beef export figures are up – and there could be more to come as latest statistics indicate an internal decline in EU red meat production, according to Hybu Cig Cymru-Meat Promotion Wales (HCC). During the first quarter of the year, Britain exported 27,150 tonnes o...

03 Jun 2024

Nominations now open for Women in Meat Industry Awards 2024

The latest Women In Meat Industry Awards campaign is fully underway for 2024 and is offering the opportunity for companies and individuals across the industry to nominate candidates. The annual Awards is the biggest and most important initiative of its kind, which recognises t...

02 Jun 2024

Greens drop plans to ration meat and dairy

The Green Party has dropped plans for rationing meat and dairy products, as its co-leader insists it will not be included in its manifesto. The party had put among its core aims on its website the policy of “rationing to reduce the amounts of meat and dairy food consumed in...

31 May 2024

What is happening in the Australian lamb market right now?

Over the past year, the lamb market has seen a turnaround, with strong sentiment and an improved weather outlook. The industry has seen prices improve by 10–20% compared to a year ago. When it comes to lambing season, the availability of high-quality feed is critical to not ...

31 May 2024

China approves imports of Danish Crown processed pork

BEIJING (Reuters) – China has approved the import of Danish salami, frankfurter sausages and canned pork, top processor Danish Crown [DACRO.UL] said this week, clearing the way for shipments of higher-value processed meat to the world’s top pork consumer. The agree...

31 May 2024

Irish Sheep Trade & Prices w/e May 19th 2024

Quotes: Base quotes for hoggets from the major processors have tightened this week with base quotes of €9.30-€9.50/kg (+QA bonus) on offer. Small numbers of spring lambs have started to be processed in Irish processing plants with quotes of €9.55-9.65/kg (+QA bonus) ava...

31 May 2024

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices w/e May 19th 2024

Cattle & Beef Throughput: There were 31,984 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the week ending May 19th 2024, taking throughput for the year to date to 692,034 head. This is a 18,573 head or 3% increase on the corresponding period in 2023 when a total of 673,...

30 May 2024

China lifts suspension on Australian meat processors

The Australian government has confirmed that China’s suspension of five meat processing establishments has been lifted with immediate effect. Eight beef processing facilities have now had suspensions lifted, while two facilities remain suspended. According to a statement fro...

30 May 2024

GB pig prices w/e May 25th: SPP falls back again

Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain. After two consecutive weekly increases, the EU-spec SPP dropped back again during the week ended May 25, losing 0.37p to stand at 211.05p/kg. This partly offset the 0.65p gained over the previous fortnight and means the...

24 May 2024

Vietnam Opens Doors to UK Pork

In a notable boost for the UK pork sector, the Vietnamese authorities have given the go-ahead for pork exports to commence, in a deal estimated to be worth around £12 million over the first five years. Selected pork sites across the UK have been approved to start commercia...

23 May 2024

UK meat sector warns of unfair import costs

The British Meat Producers Association (BMPA) has claimed the UK government played down the costs of new post-Brexit border controls on imports. The UK’s Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), which has been in operation since 30 April, includes physical checks for “the h...

23 May 2024

GB pig prices: big increase for SPP

Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain. The EU-spec SPP increased by 0.56p to stand at 211.42p/kg during the week ended May 18, the biggest movement either way since the first week of this year. This follows weeks of small fluctuations over the past three-and...

22 May 2024

Meat smugglers using English vehicles to dodge border checks

Criminal gangs are buying English-registered coaches and vans to smuggle large amounts of illegal meat into the country, Farmers Weekly has learned. Commercial quantities of illegal and diseased meat are entering the UK to be sold into fast-food outlets, pubs, and to “unsc...

22 May 2024

CCTV mandatory in all abattoirs in Wales

New regulations have been approved by the Welsh parliament for the mandatory use of CCTV in all abattoirs in Wales. It means CCTV cameras must be installed in all slaughterhouses in areas where live animals are unloaded, kept, handled, stunned, and killed. Also: Mandatory CCTV...

22 May 2024

NSA welcomes live export ban

Following the royal assent of legislation ending the exports of live animals for slaughter the National Sheep Association (NSA) is welcoming completion of the ban. NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker says: “The export trade for live animals for further finishing or slaughter ha...

22 May 2024

Opportunities at the Saudi Food Show for British Lamb Exporters

This week, British lamb and dairy businesses headed to Saudi Arabia in a bid to meet growing consumer demand and build on long term export opportunities. Exporters from both sectors have joined us at the Saudi Food Show in Riyadh from 21−23 May. The show is Saudi Arabia’s ...

22 May 2024

ABP Perth set to process over 1700 cattle per week at £24.5m abattoir

Friday was an encouraging one for Scotland’s beef farmers with one of the country’s major processors unveiling the results of a £24.5m investment in plant and buildings. The ABP plant at Inveralmond on the outskirts of Perth is now on target to process 1,700 to 1,750 catt...

21 May 2024

Irish Sheep Trade & Prices w/e May 12th 2024

Quotes: Base quotes for hoggets from the major processors have tightened this week with base quotes of €9.30-€9.40/kg (+QA bonus) on offer. Small numbers of spring lambs have started to be processed in Irish processing plants with quotes of €9.55-9.65/kg (+QA bonus) ava...

21 May 2024

Prime lamb auction prices make strong impression

After a firm start to the new season, prime lamb auction prices have made a strong impression at marts, averaging 436p/kg lwt in the second week of May, analysts say. Meanwhile, hogg values continue to hold close to the highs reached at Easter and Ramadan, clearing at 370p/kg ...

21 May 2024

Ireland: Organic lamb numbers set to triple

The number of organic lambs is set to triple, but up to 50pc are currently ‘leaking’ into conventional systems, potentially missing out on premium prices. Jack Nolan, senior inspector with the Department of Agriculture, told a recent Teagasc webinar that Ireland will have ...

21 May 2024

Price cuts on NZ lamb rile UK farmers

Questions are being asked on both sides of the planet about the low retail price of New Zealand lamb in United Kingdom supermarkets. UK sheep farmers are criticising the Morrisons supermarket chain for selling NZ lamb at cheaper prices than local product, and some NZ farmers a...

21 May 2024

NZ: ANZCO Foods Achieves $61m Net Profit Despite challenging year

New Zealand Meat processor ANZCO Foods says despite a challenging business environment, it has posted a net profit before tax of $61 million for 2023. The company has described the result as pleasing despite the net profit being less than half of the $148m achieved in 2022. Tu...

20 May 2024

Export of live animals from the UK now banned

A new ban on exporting live animals came into law today (Monday 20 May) as the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act received Royal Assent, capitalising on a post-Brexit freedoms and bolstering the UK’s position as a world leader in animal welfare standards. The legislation...

20 May 2024

Quarterly Australian Lamb Slaughter Hits All-Time High

The latest livestock products data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that last quarter, Australia had the highest lamb slaughter on record at 6,935,700 head. The data, analysed by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), also shows that the January-Mar...

20 May 2024

China buys 95,000 tons of beef monthly from Brazil

April 2024 was a historic milestone in beef exports for Brazil having shipped 236,842 tons, generating revenues totaling US$ 1.043 billion, points out Agrilink. Leading the list was China, trailed closely by the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong, which experienced a substanti...

20 May 2024

Beef and Lamb NZ rejects Britain’s NFU ‘lower standards’ claim

Beef and Lamb New Zealand has hit back at claims lamb here is “produced to potentially lower standards than in the UK”. Britain’s National Farmers Union (NFU) made the claim when reacting to news supermarket chain Morrisons is going to start selling New Zeal...

20 May 2024

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices w/e May 12th 2024

Cattle & Beef Throughput: There were 30,743 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the week ending May 12th 2024, taking throughput for the year to date to 660,140 head. This is a 18,633 head or 3% increase on the corresponding period in 2023 when a total of 64...

20 May 2024

Smaller abattoir fund boosted

Defra has issued two updates to its Smaller Abattoir Fund, raising the maximum grant amount to £75,000 and the intervention rate to 50 per cent. The move comes as part of an initiative announced last December to help the struggling sector -between 2018 and 2022, the number o...

18 May 2024

ABP Perth completes £24m beef plant expansion

ABP Food Group said today it has completed a £24.5m (€28.5m) investment in its beef processing facility in Perth, Scotland. The investment includes a 2,800 square metre extension, along with refurbishment and upgrades to meat production and maturation areas, storage areas a...

18 May 2024

Lancaster University votes to ban meat and dairy at outlets

Rural campaigners have hit back after a small group of students at Lancaster University voted to ban meat and dairy products at its campus-wide catering outlets. The Students’ Union voted to transition to 50% plant-based catering by 2025, and 100% plant-based catering by 202...

18 May 2024

GB Pig Prices: SPP inches back up

Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain. The EU-spec SPP inched back up by 0.09p to stand at 210.86p/kg during the week ended May 11, following recent small declines that have seen it lose nearly 1p over the previous six weeks. The SPP has barely moved over th...

18 May 2024

Ireland Meat Plant Prices

€/kg dw excluding VAT Week Ending % Change Average to Date % Ch Cattle 06.05.2023 11.05.2024 Prev.Week Prev.Year 2023 2024 Steers O3 5.19 5.12 0.0 -1.3 5.14 5.07 -1.4 Steers O4 5.24 5.13 -0.4 -2.1 5.19 5.10 -1.7 Steers R3 5.27 5.22 0.0 -0.9 5.24 5.16 -1.5 Steers R4 5.30 5.22...

18 May 2024

UK approves tariff-free meat imports from Australia and NZ

The UK and EU have ratified a change to the Windsor Framework which allows NI businesses to make greater use of UK trade deals. The change allows tariff-free imports of certain meat products from Australia and New Zealand. The government says the deal addresses a post-Brexit p...

18 May 2024

Backlash as Morrisons trials sale of New Zealand lamb

Morrisons has received a backlash from angry farmers as it trials the sale of New Zealand lamb instead of 100% British lamb in 39 of its stores. The supermarket says the move is due to customer demand for cheaper prices. “The blunt commercial reality is that New Zealand ...

16 May 2024

Sheep farmers ‘dismayed’ as Morrisons drops British only pledge

Sheep farmers are ‘dismayed and frustrated’ after Morrisons announced this week that it will no longer sell solely British lamb in its stores. The retailer said it would be dropping its commitment to source only British lamb, a pledge made in 2017, as part of a ne...

16 May 2024

Dawn Meats Secures Korean Beef Deal

Dawn Meats has it has secured an initial multi-million contract for monthly shipments with a leading South Korean company. It comes as the Department of Agriculture announced the opening of Korea to Irish beef exports for the first time and after a number of high-level trade m...

16 May 2024

Russian poultry becomes a key player in China’s market

Russia secured a spot among the top 3 largest poultry meat suppliers on the Chinese market in 2023. This achievement is expected to pave the way for a substantial increase in volumes in the coming years, marking a significant shift in the global poultry trade dynamics, accordi...

16 May 2024

New mayor puts meat back on the menu

Worcester City’s new mayor has put meat back on the menu at the Guildhall after her predecessor removed it from the Mayor’s Parlour earlier in the year. Speaking at the hall after becoming mayor on Tuesday, Mel Allcott stated: “There will be a variety of refreshm...

15 May 2024

Mexican Visit Highlights Opportunities for UK Pork Exports

An inspection of the UK pork sector by an official delegation from Mexico has been labelled a ‘milestone moment’ in maintaining and expanding market access to the region for the industry. The delegation of Mexican officials spent two weeks inspecting abattoirs and cold sto...

15 May 2024

Live animal exports ban passes final stage in parliament

A ban on live animal exports has passed its final stage in parliament and will soon be enshrined in law. The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill will mean that livestock can no longer be exported from Great Britain for slaughter or fattening. On Tuesday (14 May), members o...

15 May 2024

JBS Exceeds Expectations Despite Market Challenges

In a notable first-quarter turnaround, JBS achieved a profit of $310 million, reversing the losses from the previous year. Brazil-based JBS is one of the world’s largest food companies, processes beef, pork, and other products, playing a vital role in supplying essential pro...

15 May 2024

NZ: Little room for lamb returns to rise

New Zealand Exporters have yet to see signs that overseas markets are prepared to pay more for lamb. Continued market weakness in China and another record lamb production year from Australia continue to dampen global prices, dashing hopes of an immediate boost to sheep farmin...

15 May 2024

Bedfordshire butcher breaks sausage-making world record

A village butcher has broken the world record for the number of sausages made in one minute. Gavin Reynolds, who owns J W Baxter Butchers in Clifton, explained: “I have been making sausages for over 30 years now and found out that there was a world record for the most am...

15 May 2024

South Korea opens market to Irish beef

South Korea has agreed to open its market to Irish beef for the first time. The development comes after intensive negotiations between Korean authorities and the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, including a visit to South Korea by Minister for Agriculture Charlie...

14 May 2024

Sunak announces funding for new abattoirs and endemic disease control

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a package of industry support measures, as leading figures from across the food and farming industry gathered at Downing for the second Farm to Fork Summit. The package includes a new Endemics Disease Scheme with over £72m of funding and a...

14 May 2024

Ireland: Beef price cuts ‘targeted’ and ‘geographic’

A further 5c cut in beef prices set to be pushed through by factories this week sees quotes now back 15c in three weeks and 10-15c/kg below where they were this time last year. Beef finishers are said to be reeling from the cuts as they contend with high costs, while factory a...

14 May 2024

Paraguayan beef granted entry into Canadian market

Canada’s Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) greenlighted the entry of Paraguayan meat into their market with nine packing plants already authorised to start shipments. Paraguayan President Santiago Peña celebrated the good news with postings on social media. “I congratulat...

14 May 2024

Morrisons drops pledge to source only British lamb

Morrisons has announced it will ditch its commitment to source only British lamb as part of a new trial, with the sector calling it ‘hugely disappointing’ news. The retailer, which is seen as a significant supporter of British farming, has dropped its pledge to sel...

14 May 2024

Kelly Turkeys calls for national campaign to promote turkey

The turkey industry needs a national voice to help safeguard the future of British production, according to Paul Kelly, managing director of FarmGate Hatcheries which supplies around half of the poults reared for Christmas. “The British turkey market has declined dramaticall...

14 May 2024

Little to be Found: Bans on Lab-Grown Meat Products

Two U.S. states and one European country are banning manufacturing, selling, and distributing cultivated meat and poultry products. Italy enacted a ban last year, and Florida and Alabama enacted their laws on the books in only the last few days. The bans were enacted after the...

11 May 2024

Pig Prices: SPP dips again

The EU-spec SPP dropped back by another 0.2p to stand at 210.76p/kg during the week ended May 4, following the previous week’s 0.1p decline. The SPP has now fallen for five of the past six weeks, during which time it has lost 0.84p. However, after more than three months of s...

11 May 2024

Australian exports stay firm as global landscape shifts

Beef Beef exports lifted 46% from April 2023 to 113,431 tonnes. This is the largest beef export volume for April since 2015, and the second highest on record. Exports lifted in most major exports markets, with the United States remaining the largest beef market with exports ri...

11 May 2024

Australia to ban controversial live sheep exports by sea from May 2028

SYDNEY, May 11 (Reuters) – Australia’s government said on Saturday it would ban live sheep exports from the country by sea from May 2028, fulfilling a pledge to end a practice long opposed by animal welfare advocates. “We are giving certainty to sheep produce...

10 May 2024

BSE case confirmed in Ayrshire

A case of classical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has been confirmed on a farm in Ayrshire. Precautionary movement restrictions have been put in place at impacted premises and cover animals which have been in contact with the case. Further investigations to identify t...

09 May 2024

Italy sends in the troops to hunt wild boar in face of African swine fever threat

The Italian Government has announed it is sending in troops across the country to hunt wild boar in order to protect its pig industry from African swine fever (ASF). The mission, reportedly spearheaded by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is aiming to curb Italy’s wild boar p...

07 May 2024

Irish Sheep Trade & Prices w/e April 28th 2024

Quotes: Base quotes for hoggets from the major processors have improved this week with base quotes of €9.20-€9.40/kg (+QA bonus) on offer. Small numbers of spring lambs have started to be processed in Irish processing plants with quotes of €10/kg (+QA bonus) available. ...

07 May 2024

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices w/e April 28th 2024

Cattle & Beef Throughput: There were 33,164 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the week ending April 28th 2024, taking throughput for the year to date to 596,422 head. This is a 17,139 head or 2.8% increase on the corresponding period in 2023 when a total...

07 May 2024

Tyson Foods investing in insect protein

Tyson Foods, a major US producer of beef, pork and chicken, is betting on protein that comes from insects. The meat processor said on Tuesday that it has invested in Protix, a Netherlands-based insect ingredients maker. Tyson is not only taking a minority stake in the company,...

06 May 2024

More illegal meat seized in Dover amid funding cuts

The government has been told to reverse its decision to slash funding for checks on illegal meat imports at the Port of Dover as another 3.4 tonnes of illegal meat was seized. Dover District Council warned that a failure to act could expose the UK livestock industry to devasta...

06 May 2024

New Zealand Red meat exports slump due to weaker Chinese demand

Weaker pricing and demand from China continue to impact New Zealand red meat export earnings. New Zealand exported $2.58 billion worth of red meat products in the first quarter of the year, down 5% from the first quarter of 2023 and the lowest value for the quarter since 2018,...

05 May 2024

Ron DeSantis bans ‘global elite’ lab-grown meat

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has banned lab-grown meat, saying he will “save our beef” from the “global elite” and its “authoritarian plans”. “Florida is fighting back against the global elite’s plan to force the world to eat me...

03 May 2024

Brazil declares country foot-and-mouth disease-free without vaccination

SAO PAULO, May 2 (Reuters) – Brazil declared itself on Thursday as free of foot and mouth disease without vaccination, and will request World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) to recognize that status as it seeks to open more markets for its meat exports. Brazil̵...

03 May 2024

UK Meat Exports to EU: No Threat Despite NZ Trade Deal

Sheep meat, dairy and beef exports from the UK to the EU should ‘hold firm’ despite a free trade agreement between the bloc and New Zealand coming into force. New Zealand will have improved access to the European market as part of the new NZ-EU free trade agreement...

02 May 2024

Welsh dairy farms sought for AHDB programme driving positive change

Welsh dairy farms are being sought to apply to a national programme by the AHDB which seeks to drive positives changes on-farm. Successful applicants to the Strategic Dairy Farm programme will be appointed for three years and will collaborate with experts to develop a tailored...

01 May 2024

Dover border checks: Illegal sheep meat posed risk, officials say

Sheep carcasses transported to the UK without temperature controls, with blood dripping on other food such as pig parts, chicken, beef and cheese, were seized at the Port of Dover days before new controls came in, officials said. Dover Port Health Authority (DPHA) said it seiz...

30 Apr 2024

EU pork imports push Serbian pig farmers back into danger zone

Local farmers in Serbia say that a surge in pork imports from European Union (EU) member states has pushed the average profitability in the country’s pig industry below the break-even point again. The recovery trend in the Serbian pig industry did not last long, local news o...

30 Apr 2024

Uncertainty remains as new border control checks come into force

The Government’s new system of import checks finally comes into force today, after five delays and more than three years after we formally left the EU. However, while proper checks on meat products that could pose a risk of diseases like African swine or foot-and-mouth under...

30 Apr 2024

US to test ground beef in states with bird-flu outbreaks in dairy cows

CHICAGO, April 29 (Reuters) – The U.S. government said on Monday it is collecting samples of ground beef at retail stores in states with outbreaks of bird flu in dairy cows for testing, but remains confident the meat supply is safe. Federal officials are seeking to verif...

29 Apr 2024

Beef & Lamb NZ chief executive steps down

The chief executive of Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the New Zealand Meat Board Sam McIvor has resigned and is taking up another leadership role in the primary sector. In announcing his resignation Beef + Lamb New Zealand chair Kate Acland said McIvor was taking up another leade...

29 Apr 2024

How wild boars are threatening Italy’s prosciutto ham industry

Italy’s iconic prosciutto ham is under grave threat from burgeoning numbers of wild boar infected with swine fever, and the army should be drafted in to eradicate them, producers say. The number of wild boar infected with African swine fever (ASF) is on the rise across Italy...

28 Apr 2024

How might the EU-NZ trade deal impact trade?

The EU-NZ Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will enter into force on 1 May 2024. Trade of goods between the two countries was worth almost 9.1 billion euros in 2022. The agreement provides improved access into the EU market for New Zealand products. Improved access for New Zealand go...

27 Apr 2024

Colombia becomes first country to restrict US beef due to bird flu in dairy cows

CHICAGO, April 25 (Reuters) – Colombia has restricted the import of beef and beef products coming from U.S. states where dairy cows have tested positive for avian influenza as of April 15, according the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is the first country to officiall...

27 Apr 2024

Lidl Investing £500m In British Pork Sector

Lidl has announced a £500 million investment package into the British pork sector, including a new pricing model for suppliers and farmers. As part of the move, the discounter has moved pork producers to an open-book model – the ‘Lidl Pork Standard’ – that inc...

26 Apr 2024

ASF Russia: Half a million pigs culled in 2023

Russia’s ministry of agriculture estimated that the country culled nearly 486,000 pigs in 2023 due to African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks. Despite the losses, the Russian government believes its efforts to crack down on illegal online pork trade have improved the veterinary ...

25 Apr 2024

Delays in NZ lamb imports due to shipping challenges

THE trade of chilled lamb from New Zealand into the UK remains significantly below the levels seen before the pandemic struck, according to industry body Beef and Lamb New Zealand. The upheaval to supply chains during the COVID crisis had a marked effect, with perishable chil...

25 Apr 2024

UK minister says Brexit food checks will ‘have a light touch’

The UK has said post-Brexit border control on food and plant products due to start on Tuesday will be “light-touch” in order to avoid disruptions to businesses trading with the European Union. “We’re trying to cut down the amount of red tape and bureaucracy and so we a...

25 Apr 2024

‘Let’s Change Lamb’ campaign helps drive demand in France

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has announced it will be participating in a French promotional campaign to drive demand for lamb among younger consumers. France is the UK’s largest market for lamb with exports of sheep meat to France from the UK in ...

23 Apr 2024

Farming unions call on food retailers to ‘back British’

UK farming unions have called on retailers to support industry in response to “challenging and disruptive” weather this spring. In a joint letter on behalf of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), NFU Scotland, NFU Cymru and Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), the trade bodies l...

23 Apr 2024

Consumers save £1.3bn using supermarket deals – Kantar

According to Kantar’s latest supermarket share update, consumers saved £1.3 billion collectively through supermarket deals in the last four weeks. Grocery price inflation fell to 3.2% over the four weeks to 14th April, aided by “a significant increase in promotional spend...

22 Apr 2024

Welsh producers to highlight sustainability during Great British Beef Week

According to Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), Welsh Beef producers will highlight the sector’s sustainability credentials during Great British Beef Week, held 23-30th April. The nationwide campaign was created by Ladies in Beef, and founded by Devon beef produc...

22 Apr 2024

Sofina acquires Scottish farms to improve its pork supply chain

Food processor Sofina Foods Europe (Sofina) has announced that it has acquired equipment, livestock and a number of farms from Rattlerow Scotland as part of its plan to strengthen its integrated pork supply chain. The deal will see up to 12 Rattlerow Scotland employees transfe...

22 Apr 2024

Livestock & Meat Commission for N.Ireland weekly bulletin

Deadweight Cattle Trade The deadweight trade for prime cattle in NI came under some pressure last week due to an increased supply, with 8,332 prime cattle slaughtered in local plants. This was the highest weekly prime cattle throughput in NI since November 2023. There was also...

19 Apr 2024

Irish Sheep Trade & Prices w/e April 13th 2024

Quotes: Base quotes for hoggets from the major processors have improved this week with base quotes of 900-930c/kg (+QA bonus) on offer. Small numbers of spring lambs have started to be processed in Irish processing plants with quotes of 960c/kg (+QA bonus) available. The stro...

19 Apr 2024

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices w/e April 13th 2024

Throughput: There were 34,425 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the week ending April 13th 2024, taking throughput for the year to date to 529,442 head. This is a 14,293 head or 11% increase on the corresponding period in 2023 when a total of 515,149 cattle ...

19 Apr 2024

Meat and dairy prices still higher in long term despite falling inflation

Annual UK food price inflation fell to 4% last month down from 5% in February, but meat, dairy and eggs still remain significantly pricier compared to 2019 levels. The figures, published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), show that bread prices rose by just under 1% ...

19 Apr 2024

AHDB Porkwatch survey “largely positive”, says NPA

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has released its latest Porkwatch survey, reporting a higher proportion of British pork and sausage products on shelves than last year. The survey, which looked at the performance of pork and pigmeat during the month of...

19 Apr 2024

Academics work together to highlight positive red meat research

Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) has backed a group of academics working together to project positive news about eating red meat as a result of their mutual concerns about the impact of inaccurate work in the same field of research. The group, including Professor ...

19 Apr 2024

Pig Prices: SPP falls for third week in a row as slaughter numbers rise

SPP falls for third week in a row as slaughter numbers rise The headline pig price continues to fall, as prices in Europe stagnate, while last week saw a notable increase in estimated slaughter numbers. The EU-spec SPP fell for the third consecutive week during the week ended ...

19 Apr 2024

Danish Crown closes slaughterhouse in Denmark

COPENHAGEN, April 20 (Reuters) – Danish Crown will close one of its major slaughterhouses in Denmark and will lay off about 800 employees as part of a restructuring process, the meat producer and exporter said on Thursday. The company said it expects to hire up to 450 ne...

18 Apr 2024

China lifts ban on some German beef imports

BEIJING, April 16 (Reuters) – China has lifted mad cow disease-related bans on some German beef imports, Chinese customs authorities said, after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pressed Chinese counterparts for better market access in a visit to Beijing. The easing applies ...

18 Apr 2024

Meat prices fall to lowest rate since 2021 – ONS

According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), meat prices fell by 0.5% between February and March. The figures showed that the annual rates for most types of food product eased between February and March 2024, with bread, cereals and meat seein...

18 Apr 2024

Scottish farming calls for domestic food production commitments

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Scotland met with MPs and Lords in the House of Commons to outline the importance of domestic food production. The event, held on Tuesday 16th April, was an “ideal opportunity” for the Union’s presidential team to present the key requi...

17 Apr 2024

QMS provides butchery apprentices with value-added educational events

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has reported that it has provided learning and development opportunities for 24 apprentice butchers across Scotland. QMS partnered with butchery businesses to hold educational events at Yorkes of Dundee and Strachans Craft Butchers in Larkhall, led ...

17 Apr 2024

Slow down in China’s beef demand hits key suppliers

China’s beef imports are dwindling amid slowing consumption and ample domestic supply, dealing a blow to its biggest supplier, Brazil. Official data shows the value of China beef imports fell last year for the first time since at least 2016, with prices plunging to the l...

16 Apr 2024

Brazil says China clears 38 more meat plants for export

SAO PAULO, March 12 (Reuters) – The Brazilian government has said 38 additional meat plants have been cleared to sell products to China in what it said was an historic move as both countries celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, according to a statement on Tu...

16 Apr 2024

“Wronged” red meat gets global academic approval

A group of highly-respected, independent international academics have banded together to project positive news about eating red meat as a result of their mutual concerns about the impacts of inaccurate and partisan work in the same field of research. The group, including Profe...

16 Apr 2024

Welsh Beef producers shine during Great British Beef Week

Welsh Beef producers are set to take centre stage with Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), shining a light on the sectors sustainability credentials during Great British Beef Week (23-30 April). As part of its activity, which will feature beef farmers from across Wa...

16 Apr 2024

First shipment of Russian pork arrives in China

MOSCOW. April 15 (Interfax) – The first shipment of Russian pork has been delivered to the Chinese market according to Miratorg, the first company to begin deliveries after China lifted restrictions on Russian pork imports last September. A consignment of products weighi...

15 Apr 2024

Welsh abattoir submits request to build meat vending machine

A livestock market site has sought permission from Ceredigion County Council planners to construct a meat vending machine building at its abattoir site Cig Oen Caron in Wales. Cig Oen Caron currently operates from Rhyd Y Gwreiddyn in Tregaron and according to the planning perm...

15 Apr 2024

Review warns of deficiencies associated with plant-based diets

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has looked at the findings of a review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which reported that switching to plant-based diets appears to “put us at risk of nutrient deficiencies”. QMS highlighted that the authors of ‘Impac...

15 Apr 2024

Scientists find beef imports into Europe largely safe

The presence of foodborne pathogens in raw beef imported into the European Union is low, according to a study. Microbiological quality of 100 raw beef samples sent to the EU was investigated. Samples of beef imported from November 2021 to May 2022 were collected at the Border ...

15 Apr 2024

Australian meat exports continue to climb

Despite an early Easter, red meat exports in March rose 9% from last year to 182,480 tonnes, making this past month the largest March in terms of exports since 2015 and the second largest on record. Beef Australia exported 106,574 tonnes of beef over March, 8% more than last y...

15 Apr 2024

Cut backs at Shetlands abattoir as financial pressure grows

Shetland’s abattoir will replace its full time manager with a part time role as financial pressures mount. Cuts were “reluctantly” made at the abattoir, Shetland Livestock and Marketing Group (SLMG) said. Due to financial pressures, which are being experienced across the...

14 Apr 2024

JBS to double capacity of Brazil beef plant

JBS, the world’s largest meat producer, will invest 150 million reais (US$29.2 million) to double-fold processing capacity at its Campo Grande II beef plant to 4,400 cattle heads per day, the company announced Friday in a statement. The announcement, which comes after th...

13 Apr 2024

Lula Reunites With JBS Brothers as Brazil’s China Ties Deepen

(Bloomberg) — The billionaire Batista brothers’ stunning comeback is thrusting them into Brazil’s highest circles of power less than three weeks after their appointment to the board of JBS SA. Wesley and Joesley Batista — who grew their family butcher shop into t...

11 Apr 2024

Record-breaking lamb trade hits peak but stays above £8/kg

The spike in demand for lamb from Easter and Ramadan may be passing, with Eid al Fitr ending proceedings on 10 April. However, deadweight lamb prices have continued to hold strong, with tight supplies carrying the trade. Deadweight lambs averaged 829.5p/kg this week, back from...

11 Apr 2024

QMS drives innovation within the butchery sector

Scotland’s apprentice butchers are benefiting from a focus on innovation provided through the Scotch Butchers Club, run by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). It recently partnered with industry leaders to provide learning and development opportunities for 24 apprentice butchers ac...

10 Apr 2024

Ireland: Weekly Cattle Prices 10th April

Prices reported as quoted or paid to IFA Members. Strong demand. Factories paying above quotes. Steer base €5.20/5.30/kg. Heifer base €5.25/5.35kg. Young Bulls R/U €5.10/5.50/kg. Higher prices for larger and specialised lots. Cows €4.10/€4.90/kg. In-spec bonus 20c/kg...

09 Apr 2024

Wolverhampton abattoir lays off staff over pig supply issue

Many of the staff at a Black Country pork producer and wholesaler have been laid off with no supply of pigs for slaughter given as the reason. The measure at F A Gill at Parkfields, Wolverhampton, took effect on Monday and affected staff, including 40 butchers, have been told ...

09 Apr 2024

Australia manages more than half global sheep meat trade in 2023

Australian sheep meat made up more than half of total global trade for the first time in 2023, according to Meat & Livestock Australia global supply analyst Tim Jackson. “With Australian lamb and mutton production reaching record highs, exports have lifted substantially,...

09 Apr 2024

UK Cattle & Sheep Trade & Prices w/e 30/03

Cattle Deadweight prime cattle prices were generally pressured in the latest week, with the GB all-prime average measure down by 2p/kg to 487.7p/kg for the week ending 30 March. The measure is now in-line with the same week last year. Breaking the prime category down, overall...

09 Apr 2024

Britain’s Best Butcher’s Shop: who will win the title in 2024?

With the Meat Management Industry Awards nomination and voting process well underway, we take a look at one of the programme’s most prestigious awards – Britain’s Best Butcher’s Shop. Last year’s winners Gigli’s Butchers explain what winning the award meant to them...

09 Apr 2024

Irish Cattle & Sheep Trade & Prices w/e 31/03

Cattle & Beef Throughput: There were 31,967 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the week ending March 31st 2024, taking throughput for the year to date to 462,669 head. This is a 10,947 head or 2.4% increase on the corresponding period in 2023 when a total o...

09 Apr 2024

Abattoir to diversify with meat vending machine

An application for self-serve meat vending machines has been submitted to council planners. Abbatoir Cig Oen Caron is seeking permission from Ceredigion County Council for two vending machines at Tregaron cattle market. The machines would be “stocked on a daily basis”, wit...

09 Apr 2024

Plukon Food Group buys Polish poultry business Algas

Wezep – Katowice, 2 April 2024, Plukon Food Group (Plukon) has reached an agreement in principle with the shareholders of Algas SP Sp. z o.o. (Algas) to acquire 100% of their slaughtering and processing activities. Algas, under the leadership of the Szatan family, is a secon...

08 Apr 2024

Farmer survey aims to help researchers learn about lungworm outbreaks

A survey has launched for cattle farmers and vets to help researchers find out more about lungworm and its treatment across the UK. Through the survey, the Control of Worms Sustainably (COWS) group hopes to learn more about when outbreaks of lungworm are occurring. It also see...

08 Apr 2024

AHDB showcases British red meat at Canada expo

British beef, lamb and pork will be featured at the Restaurants Canada (RC) Show in Toronto from 8-10th April, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). The show, which AHDB said is expected to attract more than 22,000 visitors from Canada and aro...

07 Apr 2024

First Russian pork on its way to China

A Chinese regulator granted permission for pork export to the first 3 Russian pig companies, Russian veterinary body Rosselhoznandzor announced. RusAgro, a large Russian pig producer, scheduled to deliver the first pork to China in March 2024, Agroexport reported. The first co...

07 Apr 2024

‘Vet attestation’ rules for meat exports to be tightened

UK farmers will be barred from exporting non-assured livestock or products derived from them to the EU from next week, unless they have a vet-supplied declaration that their animals have been inspected in the past 12 months. The new rules initially took effect last December, r...

05 Apr 2024

Irish Cattle & Sheep Trade & Prices w/e 24/03

Cattle & Beef Throughput: There were 33,106 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the week ending March 24th 2024, taking throughput for the year to date to 430,700 head. This is a 11,783 head or 3% increase on the corresponding period in 2023 when a total of 41...

05 Apr 2024

QMS relaunches Scotch Beef Club in Italy

Scotch Beef is now high fashion in Milan after Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) relaunched the Scotch Beef Club in Italy, focussing on increasing exports to this high-profile, premium market. To celebrate the relaunch, an audience of leading foodservice stakeholders in the Italian ...

04 Apr 2024

Six Charged Following Protest at Cranswick Abattoir

Six people have been charged with aggravated trespass after a protest at a pig abattoir. Operations at the pig processing plant run by Cranswick Country Foods in Watton, Norfolk, were disrupted when animal rights protesters made their way into the site at around 6am on Wednesd...

04 Apr 2024

Exporters prepare for inward mission from Mexican contingent

In a few weeks’ time, the UK will host a two-week reapproval inspection audit from Mexico for British pork. To help exporters prepare, AHDB and the UK Export Certification Partnership (UKECP) held a workshop on Tuesday 19 March 2024. Highlights from the workshop included...

04 Apr 2024

UK has self-declared zonal freedom from highly pathogenic bird flu

The UK has self-declared zonal freedom from highly pathogenic avian influenza following its worst ever outbreak, which began in 2021. The development, announced today (3 April) by Defra, means the UK is now in line with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) rules. The de...

04 Apr 2024

New AHDB Pork Sector Council chair announced

Glen Nimmo has been appointed as the new chair of the AHDB Pork Sector Council, Defra has announced. Mr Nimmo has previously worked in a family-run multi-site integrated pork processing business, covering slaughter, primal processing and retail packing. Replacing Mike Sheldo...

04 Apr 2024

Pig prices: SPP drops back as market stability continues

The pig price has been remarkably stable of late and this continued during the week ended March 30, as the EU-spec SPP dropped back by 0.22p to stand at 211.39p/kg. This continued the recent pattern of small dips and gains in quick succession, cancelling out the previous wee...

04 Apr 2024

Australian goatmeat exports surge in 2023

Australian goatmeat exports for 2023 reached their second highest volume on record for a calendar year since 2014. A total of 33,891 tonnes of shipped weight (swt) Australian goatmeat was exported in 2023, a significant increase on the 21,831 swt exported in 2022. While volume...

04 Apr 2024

Vegan Activists Occupy Cranswick Abattoir, Seven Arrested

Police have been called to a Norfolk abattoir where anti-meat demonstrators are staging a protest above one of the slaughterhouses. The group, led by an activist and filmmaker known as Joey Carbstrong, entered the Cranswick food facility at Brandon Road, Watton, earlier t...

03 Apr 2024

Hilton Food Group plans further expansion and more takeovers

Hilton Food Group is planning further geographic expansion and potential takeover deals after profits jumped by nearly two-thirds last year. The food packaging company, which supplies major supermarkets including Tesco, Morrisons, and Waitrose, reported bumper pre-tax profits ...

30 Mar 2024

Ireland: IFA Livestock chair calls for sustained beef price rises

IFA Livestock chair Declan Hanrahan said beef price rises of 10c/kg over the past week must continue. He said demand for beef in our key UK and EU markets is strong with supplies in these markets reducing for the year, creating real potential for strong and sustained growth in...

30 Mar 2024

Three Councils Defy Plant-Based Movement in Support of Farmers

Three councils, including the first in Scotland, have defied the plant-based movement in a show of support for farmers of all sectors. Rutland County Council, Peterborough City Council, and Highland Council have all passed new pro-farming motions, becoming the latest to do so....

30 Mar 2024

QMS reports early signs of seasonal uplift in the pig market

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has indicated that the pig market is showing early signs of a seasonal uplift. After experiencing downward pressure at the start of 2024, the GB Standard Pig Price (SPP) has been relatively stable in February and March. Notably, carcass prices for w...

30 Mar 2024

Boosting pork exports to Southeast Asia: Russia launches the Meat Shuttle

The Russian government and logistics firm FESCO have launched a ‘Meat Shuttle’ – a railway service for the delivery of perishable products in refrigerated containers from Russia to China and countries of Southeast Asia. The new route will boost the export potential of ...

29 Mar 2024

Excessive cost rise impacts Scottish meat chain

Scotland’s meat industry is at risk of being rendered ‘uncompetitive’ in comparison to the rest of the UK by the imposition of huge cost increases by Food Standards Scotland (FSS). An April 1st price hike by FSS of 20% for the provision of Official Veterinarians (OVs) an...

28 Mar 2024

The outlook for global poultry markets in 2024 – Rabobank

The outlook for global poultry markets in 2024 is moderately positive, with demand expected to gradually recover. Here are some key points from Rabobank’s report: Demand Recovery: There’s an anticipated shift from consumer focus on prices to a recovery in demand for value-...

28 Mar 2024

What is Great British Beef Week?

Great British Beef Week 2024. Great British Beef Week (GBBW) is a nationwide campaign in the UK that celebrates the versatility and exceptional taste of British beef. It also highlights the commitment and dedication of British beef farmers to sustainable practices. The 14th an...

28 Mar 2024

Pig prices: SPP moves up again

The EU-spec SPP followed last week’s small dip with a small gain of 0.3p during the week ended March 23 to stand at 211.61p/kg. The price index has been extremely stable since the end of January, when it stood at 211.36p/kg, fluctuating up and down since. It is now 2....

28 Mar 2024

Polish poultry meat sector insists products are safe

Representatives from the poultry meat sector in Poland have responded to reports in the United Kingdom about the risk of Salmonella in products. Broadcaster ITV and The Bureau of Investigative Journalism said UK food safety chiefs were considering banning some poultry product...

27 Mar 2024

Retailers accused of ‘morally wrong’ pricing as they cut price of lamb ahead of Easter

Retailers have been accused of ‘morally wrong’ pricing as the price of lamb, potatoes and vegetables are cut this week. IFA President Francie Gorman said that vegetables, potatoes and lamb are being sold below the cost of production this week at prices that are “insultin...

27 Mar 2024

Argentina’s beef exports surge to highest level in decades

Foreign sales of Argentina’s famed steaks and other cuts of beef soared last month to reach their highest level in more than five decades, according to official data published on Tuesday, in a rare bright spot for the South American country’s ailing economy. The da...

27 Mar 2024

Scottish government changes farming payments from 2025

New details about the actions Scotland’s farmers and crofters will have to take to receive agricultural support payments from 2025 have been unveiled. From next year, farmers and crofters will have to deliver new things in return for basic payments, the Scottish governme...

27 Mar 2024

Pig producers must consider ‘very real threat’ of African swine fever

Pig producers have been warned to consider the ‘very real threat’ of African swine fever (ASF) in the UK as the virus continues to spread in Europe. In new guidance, the National Pig Association (NPA) has urged farmers to consider whether they are doing everything ...

27 Mar 2024

NSA urges new Welsh First Minister to rethink SFS

The National Sheep Association (NSA) has continued to urge Welsh Government to rethink Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) as the new Welsh First Minister is appointed. Vaughan Gething was appointed First Minister following a vote in Welsh Parliament, which NSA commented was a �...

27 Mar 2024

Government response to Australia meat export barrier is “disappointing”- BMPA

The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) has expressed disappointment with Government response to its letter regarding Australian meat exports. The organisation said that it had recently written to Trade Minister Kemi Badenoch MP regarding meat export opportunities to Au...

27 Mar 2024

Billionaire Brothers to Join Board of JBS

(Bloomberg) — Brazilian billionaire brothers Joesley and Wesley Batista were named to the board of JBS SA, paving the way for their return to the family’s meat empire after years of absence following a massive corruption scandal. The brothers will take two extra seats ...

27 Mar 2024

GI status boost for Welsh lamb and beef exports to Japan

Welsh lamb and beef have officially been recognised with Geographical Indication (GI) status in Japan. The protected status means that the premium products can be exported to Japan with added assurance that they are protected against imitations. The announcement from the Depar...

26 Mar 2024

Tight supplies and demand uplift drive EU pork prices

Improved demand has fuelled a welcome increase in EU pork prices over the past six weeks or so. The first five weeks of the year saw EU pi prices drop off sharply, losing on average 12p/kg, on the back of seasonally weak demand. However, in the latest six weeks, ending March...

26 Mar 2024

Over 100 tractors rally outside parliament as concern over policy grows

More than 100 tractors rallied outside the Houses of Parliament as part of the industry’s latest protest against the direction of government policy. Tractors taking part in the go-slow protest on Monday evening (25 March) made their way through central London’s str...

26 Mar 2024

NFU Scotland welcomes mandatory legislation to tackle Avian Influenza

National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Scotland has welcomed the announcement of new legislation requiring all bird keepers to register their flocks. The mandatory requirement follows a long-running campaign driven by the “continued threat” of Avian Influenza to Scottish poultry,...

26 Mar 2024

UK Halal sector expected to be worth £13.5bn by 2028

The Halal Monitoring Committee has published a report on the halal sector, which looks at the importance of the halal market to UK farming and to the UK economy. Research conducted by Dr Awal Fuseini, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board’s (AHDB) halal sector senio...

26 Mar 2024

Lamb prices soar as supply tightens and demand rises

Deadweight lamb prices have soared by more than 20 per cent in the last nine weeks with increased consumer demand around religious festivals and a tightening of supply to market playing a significant part. Nine consecutive weekly price rises have carried the current deadweight...

25 Mar 2024

Ireland: Weekly Cattle Prices 20th March

Prices reported as quoted or paid to IFA Members. Strong demand. Factories paying above quotes. Steer base €5.15/5.25/kg. Heifer base €5.20/5.30kg. Young Bulls R/U €5.10/5.50/kg. Higher prices for larger and specialised lots. Cows €4.10/€4.90/kg. In-spec bonus 20c/kg...

25 Mar 2024

Taste of Japan: Wagyu beef a cut above

If “wagyu” simply means Japanese cow, does that mean that all beef in Japan is wagyu? No. Not all Japanese beef is created equal. Over the decades, a lot of dairy cattle – mainly Holsteins – have been imported in Japan. Many have also been crossbred with local wagyu ca...

25 Mar 2024

NZ and EU trade agreement to take effect on May 1

SYDNEY, March 25 (Reuters) – New Zealand said on Monday a free trade agreement with the European Union would come into effect on May 1, after the country’s parliament ratified the deal. New Zealand notified the European Union it ratified the agreement earlier on Mo...

24 Mar 2024

U.S. drought and weak yen lift Japan’s beef import costs

TOYOTA — Japanese wholesale prices for imported beef have hit the highest level since the market was opened up in 1991, as a drought in southern U.S. states curtails supply, prompting restaurants to weigh price hikes. Domestic wholesale price of U.S. belly meat used in b...

24 Mar 2024

Australian Government leads red meat mission in the UK

The Cook Government’s Minister for Agriculture and Food is leading the first Western Australian delegation of its kind to the United Kingdom, which includes some of the State’s major sheep meat and cattle producers. Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis is le...

23 Mar 2024

South Korean Scientists Develop ‘Beef Rice’

South Korean researchers have combined cow muscle cells with rice grains. They say the new rice is an important step towards a sustainable, less costly source of protein. The researchers suggested it could replace the meat of farmed cattle, or beef. Professor Jinkee Hong of Y...

23 Mar 2024

Belgium says free of bird flu in poultry

PARIS, March 22 (Reuters) – Belgium has regained its status of being free of bird flu, which will allow producers to resume poultry exports and other countries to lift trade bans, Belgian food safety authorities have said. The Paris-based World Organisation for Animal He...

22 Mar 2024

Red Tractor Axes Greener Farms Commitment Module

Red tractor assurance today announces that it is dropping its greener farms commitment module (gfc), following feedback from its members. The module was developed to help farmers, processors and retailers meet the growing need for all to demonstrate sustainability, but ...

22 Mar 2024

AIMS announces speakers for its 2nd Annual Luncheon

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has announced the speakers attending its Annual Luncheon on Friday 12th April at Butcher’s Hall in London. The luncheon will commence with a short address from the Master of the Worshipful Company of Butchers, Chris Wood. ...

22 Mar 2024

Meat wholesaler Macduff 1890 ceases operations

The family-owned, fourth-generation meat wholesale company Macduff 1890, under the leadership of Andrew Duff, the great-grandson of its founder, has ceased operations and closed. Andrew Duff expressed his great disappointment that trading conditions had given him no other opt...

21 Mar 2024

Scottish farmers demand clarity on £40m beef support scheme

NFU Scotland has called again on the Scottish Government to urgently bring forward details of its proposed reform of the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS). Government has confirmed that the scheme, currently worth £40 million, will be a feature of future support ...

21 Mar 2024

Pig prices: Slaughter numbers plummet as SPP drops back

The EU-spec SPP has dropped back again, but the most eye-catching part of the latest of AHDB’s market data is the drop of in estimated slaughter numbers. If these turn out to be accurate – and they are often revision – weekly GB slaughterings, at 141,000 fo...

21 Mar 2024

Florida bans lab-grown meat

Florida became the first state to ban cultivated meat, which is made by replicating the cells of real meat without the need to actually raise and slaughter the animal, The Free Press has reported. Other states, including Arizona, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Alaba...

21 Mar 2024

Soaring lamb trade reaches new record high of £8/kg

Finished deadweight lambs have surpassed £8/kg for top E- and U-grades in the past week. Tight supplies and exceptional demand driving up prices to new all-time highs. The GB old-season lamb SQQ averaged 789.8p/kg, an increase of 46.1p/kg on the previous week, and up by almos...

21 Mar 2024

New NI TB compensation proposals gains largest ever farmer feedback

Nearly 5,000 Northern Irish farmers have responded to a consultation proposing to cut the compensation rate for cattle removed under the bTB programme. This is the largest number of responses to date on a bovine TB consultation proposal in Northern Ireland. The controversial p...

21 Mar 2024

Scottish beef farmers frustrated by lack of detail on calf scheme reform

The Scottish government has been urged to release more details on its reform of the suckler beef support scheme, as farmers raise frustration with the lack of detail. The Scottish government recently confirmed that the scheme (SSBSS), currently worth £40 million, will be a fe...

21 Mar 2024

PGI Welsh Lamb campaign “a major success” says HCC

Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) has reported that its multi-platform consumer campaign, ‘Uniquely Welsh. Experts in their field’, has resulted in a “considerable uplift” in brand awareness. The campaign, which aimed to increase brand awareness of PGI Wels...

21 Mar 2024

NCB provides butchers with legal advice in Trading Standards Manual

National Craft Butchers (NCB) has launched its Trading Standards Manual, which it said provides “comprehensive legally backed advice” for retail, catering and wholesale butchers. The manual was produced after NCB contacted East Sussex Council to investigate forming a “co...

21 Mar 2024

Derbyshire abattoir expansion plans approved despite concerns

An abattoir in Derbyshire has had expansion plans approved despite concerns from residents. At a South Derbyshire District Council meeting on Tuesday, plans to expand Pickstock Abattoir in Coal Lane, between Hartshorne and Ticknall, were approved by councillors. A resident had...

20 Mar 2024

Ongoing poor weather ‘placing farmers under serious pressure’

St Patrick’s Day is seen as a turning point in the farming calendar, but ground is saturated due to wet conditions that stretch back to the middle of last year. Ongoing weather conditions are placing farmers under “serious pressure and adding to stress levels for famil...

20 Mar 2024

Defra looks at greater use of electronic tags for pig identification

The government has promised to work with the pig industry on any future changes to pig identification, including the possible greater use of electronic tags. Defra has now responded to a 2022 report by AHDB into pig movements, identification and traceability, commenting on all...

20 Mar 2024

Lamb roast sales and exports on the rise in 2024

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has predicted that traditional roast lamb sales in 2024 will increase on the year through Easter, Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr, as HCC predicts boost in Welsh sheep exports. The trade body reported that in 2023, British shop...

20 Mar 2024

Interest in meat-free products “waning” says AHDB

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has revealed that in January 2024, meat-free products experienced less demand compared to last year. The trade body said that in January 2023, it saw “poor performance” for both meat-free and dairy-free products com...

20 Mar 2024

FSA criticised over push to fast-track ‘lab-grown meat’ approvals in the UK

Criticisms have been raised at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for wanting to accelerate approval of lab-grown meat for the UK market. The FSA is reportedly planning to use the approval of regulators in other countries to allow technologies like lab-grown meat and insect-based...

20 Mar 2024

Avara Foods criticises ‘opportunistic’ legal threat over river Wye pollution

Avara Foods has described as ‘opportunistic’ and ‘without merit’ the threat of a legal claim for compensation for those affected by pollution in the river Wye. Avara Foods operates within the catchment of the river Wye, however all its birds are housed, and there is no...

19 Mar 2024

Abattoir ‘found to be transporting warm meat’ fined thousands

Higginshaw Abattoir Ltd, based in Royton, Oldham, was ordered to pay £12,000 after being found guilty of charges relating to the dispatch of over-temperature meat. The law states that meat must be immediately chilled and kept below 7°C, and below 3°C in the case of offal,...

19 Mar 2024

New measures to help protect poultry industry from bird flu

New measures to better protect the poultry sector from future avian influenza outbreaks have been set out by the government today (19 March). Under the changes announced there will be new requirements for all bird keepers – regardless of the size of their flock – t...

19 Mar 2024

Farm to fork Assurance Review officially launched

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) have announced that an industry wide review of farm to fork assurance has been officially launched. The independent review has been jointly commissioned by the NFU and AHDB along ...

19 Mar 2024

LMC sees drop in NI calf registrations for January 2024

The Livestock and Meat Commission in Northern Ireland (LMC NI) has reported a 6.9% year-on-year decrease in calf registrations in January 2024. Using data from the Northern Ireland Food Animal Information System (NIFAS), LMC confirmed that a total of 40,587 calves were registe...

19 Mar 2024

New U.S. meat labelling rules causing Canadian cattle industry concern

New meat labelling rules in the United States could have an impact on the ability of Canadian beef producers to move their product into its largest consumer market. The changes are part of a decade-long battle between Canada and the U.S. over country-of-origin labelling (COOL)...

18 Mar 2024

China removes anti-dumping tariff on Brazilian poultry

China has removed the anti-dumping process against Brazilian poultry that increased importation tariffs up to 34.2%. In addition, the Chinese government has also authorised 12 new chicken plants from Brazil to export. This has been agreed following negotiations between Brazil ...

18 Mar 2024

Poland begins poultry exports to the Philippines

Poland has sent the first containers of poultry to the Philippines, with deliveries expected to perk up in the coming months. In the meantime, farmers insist on their demands to protect the domestic market from cheap imports. The Philippines is a big market made up of 115 mill...

18 Mar 2024

Welsh lamb to be showcased in the US

Welsh red meat exporters will be heading across the Atlantic to promote PGI Welsh Lamb on a trade visit facilitated by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC). Welsh lamb will feature at the Annual Meat Conference (AMC) which this year is taking place in Nashville, Ten...

17 Mar 2024

Python ‘tastes like chicken and should be part of our diet’

Python meat should be seen as a serious alternative to chicken and beef because of its environmental benefits, according to a scientific study. Academics say the non-venomous snakes require less food than traditional livestock such as pigs or cattle and can grow at a faster ...

14 Mar 2024

Government confirms new phase of bovine TB vaccine field trials

Farmers are one step closer to seeing a deployable bovine TB cattle vaccine as government field trials move on to a third phase. Following the completion of phase 2 of the trials, the government has published an update confirming it will undertake an additional phase. Phase 3 ...

14 Mar 2024

Scottish gov told to return £46m to ag budget or ‘jeopardise’ food security

The Scottish government must return £46 million to farmers or risk ‘jeopardising’ food security and net zero plans, an MSP has warned. Ring-fenced funding was removed from the agriculture budget, including £33m in Bew Review funding during the emergency budget re...

14 Mar 2024

Craft butcher named Scotland’s Apprentice of the Year

A craft butcher from Falkirk who credits his apprenticeship with changing his life has been named as Scotland’s Apprentice of the Year. Marc Ingram picked up the Modern Apprentice of the Year SCQF Level 5 award at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards, held at the P&J Live ...

12 Mar 2024

Farmers concerned about cheaper imports to protest outside parliament

Farmers concerned about cheaper food imports are set to stage a new protest outside the Houses of Parliament later this month. Campaign groups Save British Farming and Fairness For Farmers said they wanted to “bring the countryside to the lawmakers in parliament”. ...

12 Mar 2024

Russia sends first pork shipment to China in 15 years

Russia has announced that it has sent pork to China for the first time since 2008 when the Chinese Government imposed a ban on Russian due to African Swine Fever. Russia sent 27 tonnes of pork to China on Thursday, according to Russia’s veterinary and phytosanitary service, ...

11 Mar 2024

USDA says more than $200M will help meat processors expand

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Agriculture Department announced more than $223 million in grants and loans Wednesday to help small- and mid-sized meat processing plants expand as part of a larger $1 billion effort to boost competition in the highly concentrated industry. The effort ...

11 Mar 2024

Meat industry leaders pledge gender equality

Industry leaders representing nine businesses across the meat processing, retail and foodservice supply chain have agreed that more progress is needed to improve gender inclusion within the sector. The group came together at a recent round-table forum organised by the Meat Bus...

11 Mar 2024

Marel: Optimizing the fundamentals of pork cutting and deboning

The landscape of pork processing is changing, but the one thing that remains a constant is the essential steps to get from carcass to commodities. This journey involves intricate processes requiring precision, skill, and an understanding of consumer preferences. By continually...

11 Mar 2024

First female leadership team for Q Guild of Butchers

The Q Guild of Butchers has cut through tradition and appointed a female chair and vice chair – the first women to ever hold these positions at the Guild in its 37 years. Supporting the craft butchery trade, the Q Guild of Butchers represents over 120 of Britain’s butchers...

09 Mar 2024

The Origins of Corned Beef

Corned beef, with its succulent taste and rich history, has traversed continents and centuries, captivating palates worldwide. The term “corned beef” is thought to have originated from the English term “corn,” which referred to the coarse grains of sa...

08 Mar 2024

AHDB designs “optimum” red meat packaging using data from research

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has looked at how producers and retailers can optimise packaging and labelling to “improve shopper purchase intent” for red meat. The research, which was undertaken by AHDB in collaboration with consumer insights co...

08 Mar 2024

Annabel Croft to host Women In Meat Industry Awards 2024 ceremony

To celebrate International Women’s Day today (8th March), organisers of the annual Women In Meat Industry Awards (WIMIA) have announced that tennis star, TV broadcaster, and ‘Strictly’ finalist Annabel Croft is to be the celebrity host at this year’s 5-star ceremony in...

08 Mar 2024

Blanket reduction in meat could cause nutrient deficiencies – FSS

The meat industry has responded to research from the University of Edinburgh commissioned by Food Standards Scotland (FSS) looking at the impact of red meat consumption in relation to climate change mitigation. Upon request from the Scottish Government, Food Standards Scotland...

07 Mar 2024

Study warns against meat reduction targets for vulnerable groups

A balance needs to be struck between climate objectives and the health and nutrition of the population when reducing meat and dairy intake, researchers say. Although the assumption is that meat and dairy reductions would be of benefit to climate change mitigation and human hea...

07 Mar 2024

England’s pig herd fell by 10 percent last year, Defra says

The overall pig herd in England fell by 10 percent in 2023, following the huge contraction of the breeding herd in 2022, figures show. Defra’s December census showed that the breeding herd stabilised last year, but showed little sign of growth. There was also a drop in young...

07 Mar 2024

Battle starts for bakers to be crowned UK pie champion

Hundreds of bakers will put their skills to the test hoping to be crowned the supreme champion at the 16th British Pie Awards. Vegan, dessert and the traditional pork pies were sampled on Wednesday in the Leicestershire town synonymous with the savoury favourite, Melton Mowbra...

07 Mar 2024

Red Tractor told Greener Farms Commitment should be ‘discontinued’

Red Tractor should drop its controversial Greener Farms Commitment (GFC) module and instead adopt a more transparent approach which works better for farmers, according to UK farming unions and levy body AHDB. Issuing a joint response today (March 5) following the findings of...

06 Mar 2024

AHDB showcases British red meat in Hong Kong

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has partnered with professional chefs in Hong Kong to showcase British red meat as part of a month-long campaign. The campaign was launched on Friday 1st March 2024 and will run throughout March with chefs Saito Chau of...

05 Mar 2024

AHDB: Global demand for lamb helps drive UK red meat exports

In 2023, red meat exports from the UK were worth £1.7 billion, largely driven by strong demand for UK lamb on international markets, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. Full-year figures from HMRC show that in 2023, red meat exports, including off...

05 Mar 2024

Kent farmers demand Government prioritise British produce

Kent farmers have protested foreign imports of food in supermarkets, leading a “go-slow” protest through Canterbury. The farmers led a convoy of farming vehicles through Canterbury city centre on Sunday 3rd March 2024, displaying signs reading “No Farmers, No Food, No Fu...

04 Mar 2024

Sheep trade: Suez Canal shipping issues driving hogget prices

Issues with the supply of lamb from New Zealand to the United Kingdom (UK) is having a knock-on effect with the sheep trade in Ireland. Shipping through the Suez canal has recently become impossible for some ships, which have instead re-routed around the Cape of Good Hope in ...

04 Mar 2024

Australia: Operator of northern WA’s only abattoir enters voluntary administration

The operator of the only large-scale abattoir in northern Western Australia has called in administrators amid an ongoing government investigation and the pursuit of its parent company over millions in unpaid debts. Documents from the Australian Securities and Investments Commi...

04 Mar 2024

Bernard Matthews confirms closure of Norfolk headquarters

Poultry producer Bernard Matthews has confirmed the closure of its headquarters. The company has been based at the site in Great Witchingham, Norfolk, since 1955 and employs about 600 people there. The company previously said the factory had become “loss-making and not ...

04 Mar 2024

‘Very positive day’ for Irish beef marking registration of PGI

It is a “very positive day” for Irish agriculture as an event is held to mark the registration of Irish Grass Fed Beef as an all-island Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). The granting of this PGI status for Irish Grass Fed Beef places it on the “same ...

04 Mar 2024

Hundreds of farmers stage go-slow tractor protest in Canterbury

Hundreds of farmers have staged a go-slow tractor protest in Canterbury as concerns over cheaper food imports and government policy grows. A convoy of tractors and other agricultural machinery was driven through the city centre on Sunday afternoon (3 March). Anger over the low...

04 Mar 2024

Lottery grant worth £100,000 to help Peak District farmers boost nature

Dozens of Peak District farmers have been awarded a £100,000 lottery grant to help spearhead nature recovery and peatland restoration. Peakland Environmental Farmers (PEF), an environmental co-operative of 77 farmers, has been awarded the grant from the National Lottery Herit...

04 Mar 2024

Welsh livestock farmers call for ‘major overhaul’ of SFS scheme

A major overhaul of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) will need to take place before it is workable for Welsh livestock farmers, NFU Cymru has warned. The union’s livestock board met recently to discuss in detail the Welsh government’s third and final consultation o...

04 Mar 2024

Irish grass-fed beef given all-Ireland EU status

The attainment of PGI status within the EU for Irish grass-fed beef has been described as a ‘tremendous accolade’ for farmers in both Northern Ireland and the Republic. Irish grass-fed beef has been awarded an all-Ireland Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), a ...

02 Mar 2024

A Look at the Middle East’s Meat Industry

The Key Players: A Dive into the Middle East’s Meat Industry The Middle East’s meat industry stands as a cornerstone of the region’s economy, reflecting its rich cultural heritage and diverse culinary traditions. From succulent lamb dishes to sizzling kebabs,...

29 Feb 2024

Staffordshire Council votes to proactively support local farmers

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has voted to proactively support local farmers by buying meat and dairy for council-organised events. The motion ensures that all catering at council-organised events is sourced from local suppliers, following campaigning by the Country...

29 Feb 2024

National Butchers Week returns for 2024

March 4th to 10th is National Butchers Week! National Butchers Week is your invitation to dive into the world of exceptional meats available right at your local butcher shops. Why should you get involved? Here’s why: Your local butcher is a treasure trove of premium, oft...

29 Feb 2024

Hilton Food Group among the speakers to address Meat Business Women Conference

Steve Murrells, CEO, Hilton Food Group, Ruth McDonald, Corporate Services Director, Morrisons and Jane Treasure, Food & Beverage Director, Pizza Express have been announced as the keynote speakers at the UK & Ireland Meat Business Women conference in May 2024. The...

29 Feb 2024

New York Sues JBS Over Climate Impact

New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against JBS S.A., the world’s largest meat processor, over its climate impact, marking a significant move in holding corporations accountable for environmental harm. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of New York, accuses...

28 Feb 2024

FSA launches consultation on Mechanically Separated Meat

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a public consultation seeking views on new guidance relating to Mechanically Separated Meat (MSM). The FSA has developed new guidance to provide support for food businesses following a series of court judgments on the definition o...

28 Feb 2024

Processors warn of damage to industry of new immigration salary rules

The British Meat Processors Association has written to the Home Secretary James Cleverly to outline the damage to the UK meat and wider food industry that the new £38,700 immigration rule will cause. A salary of £38,700 for butchers from overseas represents a 49% increase in...

28 Feb 2024

Defra confirms funding withdrawal for Dover illegal meat checks

Defra has confirmed that grant funding for checks for illegal meat imports at Dover will be withdrawn at the end of April, after which it will be up to the Port Health Authority (PHA) to start charging offenders to recover costs. The information is set out in a letter from bio...

28 Feb 2024

Lamb prices hit £7 a kg at abattoirs

A flying finished lamb trade and a positive outlook for the spring will offer some confidence to sheep farmers during the next few months. Strong retail demand, tight supply, increased export trade and firm buyer interest in the build-up to Ramadan should all help to of...

28 Feb 2024

Avara focuses on optimisation after tough year

Avara Foods has pledged to streamline its business after posting a second successive loss in its annual accounts. The leading poultry supplier’s latest accounts, for the financial year ended May 2023, showed an increase in turnover to over £1.5bn, but an overall loss of £1...

28 Feb 2024

Albania: Europe’s 28th country to report ASF virus

African Swine Fever has also reached the wild boar population of Albania, which means that the virus has been reported in every country in Middle and Eastern Europe. Albania is the 28th country in Europe to have reported African Swine Fever, genotype II, ever since the virus e...

28 Feb 2024

2023 UK pigmeat export volumes down by 20%

UK Pigmeat export volumes, including offal, fell by 20% last year to 298,000 tonnes, as a result of lower UK production and subdued demand in Asia. The value of pigmeat shipments fell by a lower proportion, 9% to £570 million, due to higher prices. Most export categories were...

28 Feb 2024

Plans For Isle of Wight Abattoir

Discussions about establishing an abattoir on the Isle of Wight are progressing, with representatives of the National Farmers Union set to meet with the Farming Minister this week. Local MP Bob Seely has arranged the meeting with Farming Minister Mark Spencer following a discu...

28 Feb 2024

France issues new ban on meat names for plant protein

PARIS, Feb 27 (Reuters) – France on Tuesday issued a ban on using terms like steak and ham for plant protein products, a second attempt by the government to regulate meat alternatives as it tries to assuage livestock producers who have been at the heart of farmer protest...

28 Feb 2024

Lamb market at record high for the time of year

After A firm end to 2023, the lamb market has risen further, reaching record levels for the time of year. This month, hoggs have averaged well above 300p/kg lwt at Scottish marts, and averaged around 315p/kg in the second and third weeks of February. Price rises have also been...

28 Feb 2024

Thousands of Welsh farmers to protest in Cardiff over SFS

Thousands of Welsh farmers will take part in a protest in Cardiff this afternoon over heightening concerns at the Welsh government’s vision for the industry. Up to 10,000 farmers are expected to make their way to the Welsh capital in a show of anger centred on a series o...

28 Feb 2024

Lamb trade “takes off” as prices rise 30-40c/kg in just a week

The quality bonus, worth 10-20c/kg, only adds to the shine for Irish lamb producers, writes Martin Ryan. It is sunshine all the way under blue skies for the lamb trade as the price ‘take off’ continues to deliver for producers supplying the factories for this week....

28 Feb 2024

Romania’s poultry industry leader expects to double turnover and profit by 2026

Building on the momentum of the last three years and having successfully achieved its overall turnover and profit targets in the previous year, TRANSAVIA, Romania’s chicken market leader, announces its Solid Growth Acceleration Plan for the next 3 years, with a doubling ...

28 Feb 2024

China scraps Brazilian poultry tariff

SAO PAULO : China’s government has opted to not renew a tariff on imports of poultry products from Brazil, the South American nation said on Tuesday. China hit Brazil with a tariff of between 17.8 per cent and 34.2 per cent in 2019 on its poultry in a bid to prevent R...

28 Feb 2024

Castrate squirrels and serve prisoners culled deer meat, says latest net zero plan

Squirrels will be chemically castrated and deer will be culled, cooked and served to prisoners under net zero plans to protect England’s trees. The Government is drawing up options to control the deer and squirrel population to protect woodlands in an effort to limit the n...

27 Feb 2024

Study examines ‘virus and host’ factors in ASF

Researchers from The Pirbright Institute are joining UCL experts in a study to understand how African swine fever virus (ASFV) enters and replicates in pig cells. Scientists at UCL’s Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, led by Professor Finn Werner and funded ...

27 Feb 2024

Britain’s biggest meat industry awards open for product nominations

This year’s Meat Management Industry Awards, the sector’s biggest, longest-established and most successful awards initiative, is set for a record number of product entries – according to organisers. Culminating in the much-anticipated black-tie dinner and awards ceremony...

27 Feb 2024

UK red meat exports close to “record year” driven by demand for lamb

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has announced that red meat exports from the UK in 2023 were worth £1.7 billion, which it said was “largely driven by strong demand for UK lamb” on international markets. Full year figures from HMRC showed that in ...

26 Feb 2024

Gulfood Dubai started with very good movement for Argentine meat

The IPCVA participates together with 13 exporting companies in the most important food fair in the Arab countries. With a large influx of people, the Gulfood Dubai fair began with a notable presence of Argentine Beef. During the day, the 13 exporting companies that participate...

26 Feb 2024

INTERPORC highlights the opportunities that the pig sector offers for the young generation

The Interprofessional of the White Coated Pig (INTERPORC) participates and supports, since its creation, the training of specialists in the pig sector taught in the Master in Pig Health and Production organized by the University of Lleida, the University of Zaragoza and the Un...

26 Feb 2024

Sainsbury’s Backs British Farmers with New Section

Sainsbury’s has added a ‘buy British’ section to its website in a move to better champion and profile British grown food. It becomes the largest supermarket to launch a dedicated ‘Best of British’ page on its groceries website following a campaign push by...

23 Feb 2024

Red Meat Industry Rejects Sustainability Push

The red meat industry has questioned the inclusion of environmental impact, accessibility, and food affordability as considerations in new official dietary advice. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is reviewing guidelines about what Australians should ...

23 Feb 2024

Egg Producers Fear for Future Amid Market Volatility

Farmers have been extremely exposed to high input costs, poor returns, and the threat of disease to their flocks. The poultry industry has been “too volatile” in the last couple of years with producers questioning their futures, as they are just about “keeping the bills ...

23 Feb 2024

Retailer Price Cuts Hit Irish Farmers

ICSA beef chairman John Cleary said Aldi’s “assertion that their price cuts will not affect their suppliers is simply unacceptable”. Cutting the prices of Irish beef and lamb in shops “directly undermines the efforts and livelihoods of Irish farmersR...

23 Feb 2024

Mixed Fortunes for UK Meat Exports

A global demand for lamb helped drive UK red meat exports last year, achieving a similar level in value to the record levels seen in 2022, but beef and pork shipments saw major declines. Red meat exports from the UK in 2023 were worth £1.7 billion, largely driven by strong de...

23 Feb 2024

Welsh Farmer Honoured for Dedication

A poultry farmer from Powys has been honoured at the NFU Conference for her dedication and commitment to the UK farming industry. This year’s Meurig Raymond Award – named after the NFU’s former President – was presented to mid-Wales broiler producer Sharon Hammond. Far...

23 Feb 2024

Beef Week Back for 14th Year

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has announced that Great British Beef Week (GBBW) will launch on Tuesday 23rd April 2024. The week will commence in order to celebrate the “iconic” flavours and versatility of British beef and the sustainable practi...

21 Feb 2024

Aussie Red Meat Production Hits New High

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released its quarterly statistics on livestock slaughtered and meat production, highlighting record lamb and sheep production, as well as the highest slaughter of lambs ever at 24,909,600 lambs, up 16.38% year-on-year (YoY). Accord...

20 Feb 2024

China lifts the ban on Spanish beef imports

Since 2000, Beijing has imposed a ban on the European Union from exporting beef products due to the emergence of several cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or “mad cow” disease, in several members of the bloc that year. “It is good news, especially fo...

20 Feb 2024

UK Wagyu Herds Double in Size

The Wagyu Breeders Association (WBA), a promotional body for British Wagyu, has said that the demand for Wagyu beef shows “no sign of slowing”, as figures released by the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) for 2023 show that British Wagyu more than doubled its numbers ...

20 Feb 2024

Pig Sector Calls for Border Protection

The pig sector has called on all parties to act to deliver fairness in the supply chain and to protect borders from diseases like African swine fever (ASF), ahead of an expected election this year. The National Pig Association (NPA) has today published its election manifesto, ...

19 Feb 2024

Irish Food Takes Aim at US Market

The United States has long forged its place in history as the ‘land of opportunity’, but there really is no better way to describe it for the Irish agri-food firms making top dollar offering a taste of the Emerald Isle stateside. The United States is Ireland’...

17 Feb 2024

Farmers warn food security ‘really under threat’ amid supermarket protest

Farmers in Kent are stationing their tractors in a supermarket car park to protest against cheap imports and “win over” the British public. Around 20 tractors are parked at Tesco Extra in Whitfield, near Dover, to raise awareness of the threat to food security in the UK, b...

16 Feb 2024

Herefordshire meat supplier get go-ahead to expand

A high-profile Herefordshire meat supplier has been told it can expand its packing and distribution plant – despite objections from neighbours. Neil Powell of Country Tastes, Longmeadow Industrial Estate, Ewyas Harold applied in March last year for planning permission for th...

16 Feb 2024

Small abattoir closures ‘spells disaster’ for rural areas, campaigners warn

The closure of the only small abattoir in the Yorkshire Dales ‘spells disaster’ for the rural community, landscape and local food, campaigners have warned. McIntyre Meats will shut down for good on 27 March after 23 years in business, serving 1,800 customers repres...

16 Feb 2024

Wiltshire set to join growing number of councils defying plant-based movement

Wiltshire Council is set to join a growing number of local authorities who are defying the plant-based movement in a show of support for farmers of all sectors. A campaign by the Countryside Alliance to push councils into expressing support for farmers while rejecting compulso...

14 Feb 2024

Improvements still needed at meat plant – minister

Governance at the Isle of Man’s meat plant has been “improved significantly” but more needs to be done, the minister with responsibility for it has said. Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Clare Barber took over as chairman of the loss-making plant...

14 Feb 2024

Dublin Butcher Slams Rogan’s Diet as ‘Propaganda’

A Dublin butcher has warned against the carnivore diet trend popularised by podcast star Joe Rogan and others. The carnivore diet has also been promoted by psychologist Jordan Peterson, and various TikTok stars including Courtney Luna. But Barry Kerrigan, who runs Kerrigan...

13 Feb 2024

EU dumped lab meats from climate plans on farm chief’s demand

BRUSSELS — The European Commission scrubbed a push to promote lab-grown and plant-based meats from a key climate proposal at the urging of Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski. The EU released proposed plans for a strict new climate goal for 2040 on Tuesday. The ann...

13 Feb 2024

EU Court Backs Belgian Slaughter Rules

The European rights court on Tuesday upheld the right of two Belgian regions to ban ritual animal slaughter without prior stunning. Two of the country’s three regions — Flanders and Wallonia — in 2017 and 2018 banned the slaughter of livestock that have not b...

13 Feb 2024

Irish Pig Farmers See Brighter Future

The market for pig farmers “appears to be settling and turning a corner”, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association. Some producers selling their pigs to smaller processors received an increase of 4c/kg while producers selling pigs to Northern Ireland are r...

13 Feb 2024

Florida Still Says No to Cultured Meat

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — It’s called “cultivated meat” — protein not from an animal but grown in a lab using cells from livestock — and Florida is now inching closer to banning it. A large agriculture bill that includes the restrictions cleared another com...

13 Feb 2024

Rollercoaster Year for NZ Red Meat

The value of New Zealand’s red meat exports last year suffered an 11% drop to $10.2 billion, compared with the 2022. But according to the Meat Industry Association (MIA), this was despite the fact the actual volume of meat exported was up. The drop in value, according to Mea...

11 Feb 2024

Massive Chicken Theft in Cuba

Cuban authorities have charged 30 people for stealing around 133 tonnes of chicken meat and selling it on the street in a major food heist in Havana. Suspects are said to have taken 1,660 white boxes from a state facility in the capital and used the sale proceeds to buy refri...

11 Feb 2024

AHDB Pork Outlook predicts slow pig industry recovery in 2024

AHDB is forecasting only very limited recovery in both pork production and pig breeding numbers in 2024, despite much more favourable market conditions, as producers remain very cautious about expanding their herds. Its 2024 Pork Outlook predicts that pork production will grow...

11 Feb 2024

What is Wagyu beef?

Wagyu beef is a Japanese delicacy known for its superb quality, rich flavours, and sumptuous textures. The term ‘Wagyu’ directly translates to ‘Japanese cow,’ and this high-grade beef originates from a selection of Japanese cattle breeds. There are four princip...

09 Feb 2024

AHDB Levy to Rise from April

The pork levy will increase by 20% from April, after Ministers in Defra and the Devolved Administrations approved levy rate hikes acoss AHDB’s four sectors. The increases will see the overall pork levy rate rise from £1.05p/pig to £1.26/pig. The producer and processor ra...

09 Feb 2024

Beef Farmers Fear Carbon Scheme Disadvantage

A County Londonderry farmer has raised concerns about a scheme aimed at reducing carbon emissions from beef cattle. Jonathan Blair is the third generation of his family to work their farmland near Ballykelly. His focus is on regenerative agriculture, mimicking nature and tryin...

09 Feb 2024

Tariff-Free Trade for Ukrainian Eggs and Poultry Extended

Poultry and eggs from Ukraine will be able to be imported to the UK without tariffs for an additional two years, after the government extended a commitment put in place following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago. The UK was the first country to remove tariffs on al...

09 Feb 2024

Vietnam’s rare ‘dragon chickens’ all the rage for Lunar New Year

HANOI, Feb 8 (Reuters) – Known for their strangely large feet, Dong Tao chicken has for generations been a delicacy in Vietnam and mostly consumed during the Lunar New Year holiday. The rare breed of poultry, also known as dragon chicken, feature a pair of scaly red feet...

08 Feb 2024

Bullying claims at Welsh meat promotion firm

Concerns have been raised about alleged bullying of staff at a meat promotion company overseen by the Welsh government. North Wales Senedd Member Llyr Gruffydd has called for a Senedd committee inquiry into Welsh meat promoter Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales. Six m...

08 Feb 2024

Production manager prosecuted after obstructing FSA inspector

A production manager who worked at Northampton meat company has been prosecuted after obstructing a Food Standards Agency (FSA) inspector. Emma Nakova, of Braunston Close, was sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on January 17, 2024 after pleading guilty to the obstru...

08 Feb 2024

NZ Meat Exports Take a Hit in 2023

Issues affecting the red meat sector have been laid bare with exports worth 11 percent less in 2023 compared to the year before. New figures from the Meat Industry Association show despite red meat exports growing in volume last year the value was down to $10.2 billion. China ...

08 Feb 2024

McIntyre Meats abattoir to close

A Wensleydale family-run abattoir is to close after 23 years in business. The owners of McIntyre Meats, based near Bainbridge, say they have taken the decision due to increased bureaucracy and rising overheads. The company was started by Martin and Lindsey McIntyre 23 years a...

07 Feb 2024

Dover Officials Conduct Hundreds of Illegal Meat Seizures But No Arrests Made

Dover health officials have conducted at least 584 individual seizures of illegal meat at the British port since September 2022 amid reports that the Government intends to cut funding for border checks, GB News can disclose. Figures obtained by GB News reveal that at least 546...

07 Feb 2024

German meat group Westfleisch adds to pet-food portfolio

German meat giant Westfleisch has expanded its pet-food arm with the acquisition of local specialist The Petfood Company. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Westfleisch already does business in dry pet food, selling products under its Dog’s Nature brand. The P...

07 Feb 2024

Lab-Grown Meat Removed from Menus

In recent years, three companies in the world received permission to market cultured meat, and offered dishes in a limited quantity in only 3 restaurants. Recently, all restaurants stopped offering these dishes to the public. The industry itself is at a crossroads, and has to ...

07 Feb 2024

China’s Pork Market Rebounds

In a notable turn of events, pork and hog prices in China experienced a resurgence last week, driven by last-minute stockpiling activities ahead of the Lunar New Year. This boost in values occurred against the backdrop of inclement weather conditions, including snow and rain, ...

07 Feb 2024

Australia’s red meat exports surge as US beef production falls

CANBERRA, Feb 7 (Reuters) – Australia’s red meat exports rocketed last year as a plunge in livestock prices made its products more competitive at a time when beef production in rival exporter the United States is falling. Shipments accelerated as the year went on, ...

07 Feb 2024

EU Backtracks on Net Zero

The European Union has caved in to angry protests from farmers, cutting its target to scrap specific agricultural emissions which formed part of the bloc’s net zero drive. A demand to reduce nitrogen, methane and other emissions linked to farming by almost a third has been�...

07 Feb 2024

China opens wide for NZ red meat exports

New Zealand Exporters are wasting no time in getting products on the water after the biggest opening of the Chinese market to meat exports in the best part of a decade. The Ministry for Primary Industries confirmed that four meat plants have been granted new access for chill...

06 Feb 2024

NZ: Celebrating National Lamb Day

New Zealanders are being encouraged to celebrate lamb as the meat that made a nation. February 15 has been designated National Lamb Day as it was on that date in 1882 the sailing ship Dunedin departed from Port Chalmers carrying the first shipment of frozen lamb to London. A...

05 Feb 2024

Dover Demands More Funding for Meat Checks

Dover District Council has called on Defra to scrap its plans to cut funding, worth £3 million, for essential checks for illegal imports at the Port of Dover. In a DDC report, published ahead of a cabinet meeting today, it has emerged that Defra has tried to justify the cut...

05 Feb 2024

Three men sentenced for £318k chicken fraud

Three men who worked together to fraudulently supply a company with more than £318,000 worth of chicken have been sentenced. Darren Williams, 68, and Elliot Smith, 33, worked at the 2 Sisters Food Group in Llangfefni, Anglesey, and supplied the meat to Townsend Poultry. More ...

05 Feb 2024

Argentina’s Beef Boom: A Record-Breaking Year of Exports to China

Argentina is forecasted to increase 5,1% beef and calf production this year, reaching some 3,3 million tons with a domestic consumption of 2.43 million tons, according to the latest report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This follows on a record beef e...

05 Feb 2024

Vion Announces Factory Closures

Netherlands-based meat producer Vion plans to close a factory in Germany and offload three others. The pork and beef company said it is adjusting its strategy on its main markets, including “downsizing through divestments and closures” due to increasing competition and the...

05 Feb 2024

Beef recalled due to incorrect use-by dates

A second recall of beef products on the Isle of Man was due to an issue with use-by dates, the Isle of Man’s meat plant has confirmed. The environment department ordered Isle of Man Meats to destroy more products last week, following an investigation after an earlier re...

02 Feb 2024

French farmers up in arms over EU free-trade agreements

French farming unions are taking aim at the European Union’s free-trade agreements, which they say open the door to unfair competition from products arriving from overseas. At a time when the EU is urging farmers to adopt more sustainable – and sometimes more costly – ag...

02 Feb 2024

Record Christmas Meat Sales

Consumer spending on fresh red meat in Great Britain surged to a record £656.2 million in the four weeks leading up to Christmas 2023, marking a significant 9.6% increase compared to the previous year, according to data from Nielsen. This remarkable growth defied the c...

01 Feb 2024

French protests concern lamb exports but trade holds firm

UK lamb prices are holding up, despite major protests by farmers in France who have been blocking roads, which has disrupted British lamb exports heading to the Continent. The GB deadweight lamb SQQ increased by 23.6p/kg on the week to 631.8p/kg, with lower throughputs at abat...

01 Feb 2024

Post-Brexit controls on food and farm imports start

Post-Brexit controls on food, plant and animal imports to Britain from the EU have come into force. Health certificates will now be required on EU goods ranging from cut flowers, to fresh produce including meat, fruit and vegetables. Some industry bodies raised concerns the ru...

01 Feb 2024

British pork exporters on a mission in California

British pork exporters have taken the first steps towards maximising new opportunities in California following the introduction of the controversial Proposition 12 legislation in the state. California’s Prop 12 legislation came into force on January 1, establishing stricter ...

31 Jan 2024

Unlikely Allies Want to Bar JBS From U.S. Stock Markets

A giant Brazilian meatpacking company is facing persistent opposition to its plans for a listing on the New York Stock Exchange because of concerns about corruption settlements, accusations of Amazon deforestation and its growing market share in the United States. The proposed...

29 Jan 2024

Poultry disappears from Russian grocery shelves

In the first weeks of 2024, occasional shortages of poultry were reported in the biggest Russian cities, Yekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk, Ulyanovsk, and Samara, as well as in some parts of Moscow. The authorities insist that poultry is in sufficient supply, while retailers and farm...

29 Jan 2024

Falklands: Abattoir debate resurfaces

The decision by the Falkland Islands Executive Council, and approved by the Standing Finance Committee, to provide additional financing of £1 million to the Falkland Islands Meat Company (FIMCO), has not been without controversy. The additional funding, which also came with s...

28 Jan 2024

New Brexit rules and EU vet shortage put meat imports at risk

A lack of vets in Europe could force meat suppliers in the EU to hold back deliveries earmarked for the UK under new post-Brexit rules set to come in this week, experts have warned. The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) has concerns that imports may be held back due t...

28 Jan 2024

‘Culinary alliance’ in EU wants debate on lab-grown meat

BRUSSELS, Jan 28 — A “culinary alliance” started by EU members Austria, France and Italy is seeking a public debate around lab-grown meat, agriculture ministers said on Tuesday while attending a meeting in Brussels. Synthetic meat cannot be sold in the European Union as ...

27 Jan 2024

Australian lamb and mutton exports hit record high

Australian exports of lamb and mutton reached record highs in 2023, with Chinese sales up significantly. Exports of lamb reached 326,014 tonnes, with mutton exports at 209,580t, according to Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA). Tim Jackson, MLA global supply analyst, said: R...

26 Jan 2024

Ireland: Early indicators of a seller’s market for beef

Demand for beef animals art the factories is putting more pressure on the processors to release their grip on the upward only movement on the prices being demanded by the producers. The intake last week of more than 35,200 head was up by 1,500 head compared to the same week la...

25 Jan 2024

China encourages Pig farmers to reduce capacity after price slump

BEIJING: China will “guide” farmers to reduce pig production capacity as it steps up regulation of the industry, the agriculture ministry said on Tuesday (Jan 23), after an aggressive expansion drive led to an oversupply of pigs and heavy losses. Big agribusinesses...

25 Jan 2024

British Pork marketing campaign returns

The £1m TV-led campaign is scheduled to hit screens in February, airing on ITV, Channel 4 and Sky, alongside popular on-demand shows and YouTube. Consumer research showed that following our autumn campaign, more people (+3%) are planning to buy pork when they go shopping, ...

24 Jan 2024

ASF hits Montenegro – 27 European countries now infected

Montenegro has reported its first official cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) on record, as the disease continues to cause difficulties around the world and disrupt the exportation of pork product. The disease, which has been rapidly spreading across Europe since 2007, was ...

24 Jan 2024

Nearly all households continuing to buy meat despite budget squeeze

Huge numbers of the public are sticking with meat despite the squeeze on domestic food budgets, according to consumer research. Some 97 percent of all households are still buying red meat despite the pressures on the family purse, Kantar figures show. Avneet Chana, Kantar’s ...

23 Jan 2024

Local farmers fear Scotch brand is lost in red meat industry

Levy payers have been given the chance to hear how Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) plans to deliver its five-year strategy and make the country the choice for premium red meat. Over a dozen workshops have taken place across the country, with the first levy increase in more than a ...

23 Jan 2024

2023 UK pig meat production plummets to five-year low

The volume of pigmeat produced in the UK in 2023 plummeted by 11% to a five-year low, as slaughtering declined by 10% to the lowest figure in a decade. The latest Defra slaughter statistics showed the UK produced 71,900 tonnes of pigmeat in December, a massive 18% decline o...

23 Jan 2024

Russian pork exports to China begin ahead of schedule

The Russian veterinary watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor has commenced registration of the first 3 companies for pork exports to China. The first shipments are due in the next 2 months. Previously, Russia’s deputy prime minister Victoria Abramchenko and the Russian pig farmers anti...

23 Jan 2024

Farmers lead funding bid to save last local small abattoir

Cotswold campaign which has support from nearby farmer Jeremy Clarkson needs to raise £3m in pledges in just days. A farmer-led community group has launched a funding bid to save Warwickshire’s last small abattoir from being sold off to housing developers. The ‘...

23 Jan 2024

Austria, France and Italy lead charge against lab-grown meat

Vienna, Paris and Rome, along with nine other EU countries, are set to argue that meat grown in a laboratory is a threat to “genuine food production methods”, a claim a diplomatic source told Euractiv is “exaggerated and premature”. Lab-grown meat “does not constitut...

23 Jan 2024

UK industry fears disruption from new post-Brexit border checks

LONDON, Jan 23 (Reuters) – British businesses are warning of a new wave of post-Brexit trade disruption because EU exporters are not ready for UK customs changes which start this month, and Britain’s port infrastructure might be unprepared too. Britain left the Eur...

19 Jan 2024

Vion reviews German business portfolio

In line with trends seen across the entire meat industry, Vion Food Group, a leading international producer of meat and plant-based alternatives, is adjusting its strategy in its main markets.  Focus on future-proof performance and sustainability  Vion is reviewing its op...

19 Jan 2024

Israeli company gets green light to make world’s first cultivated beef steaks

An Israeli company has received a preliminary green light from health officials to sell the world’s first steaks made from cultivated beef cells, not the entire animal, officials said. The move follows approval of lab-grown chicken in the US last year. Aleph Farms, of Reho...

19 Jan 2024

Irish beef exports to China to resume immediately

China has reopened its market to Irish beef after exports were suspended late last year due to the detection of an atypical BSE case in a cow during routine Department of Agriculture tests. The announcement was made on Wednesday by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during a visit to Du...

19 Jan 2024

New legislation banning live exports from Britain moves to Lords

Legislation putting an end to the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening from Great Britain will now move to the House of Lords for further scrutiny. The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill delivers on a Conservative Party commitment to ban the export of live a...

19 Jan 2024

Meat plant liquidator asks court to make directors liable for €2.7 million debts

The liquidator of a meat processing company has asked the High Court to make the firm’s directors personally liable for debts of €2.7 million owed to parties including more than 100 farmers and businesses in the northwest. John Healy, who is the official liquidator of Eden...

19 Jan 2024

Dover officials warning over Defra’s plans to slash funding for illegal meat seizures

Defra is planning to slash funding for vital work in seizing illegal meat imports at the Port of Dover, in a move officials within Dover Council have warned could have disastrous consequences for the UK pig sector. Dover Port Health Authority (DPHA) and the Council are urging ...

19 Jan 2024

China Pork Output Boom Outpaced Demand

China increased its pork output in 2023 to a near-record level. But prices plummeted, indicating the market didn’t want that much pork. Analysts say the industry needs to downsize, but companies backed by friendly banks and officials are content to burn through cash unti...

19 Jan 2024

UK pork imports rise, UK exports plummet

UK pigmeat import volumes continued to increase towards the end of last year, as the EU-UK price differential grew, making imports an attractive proposition to full domestic shortfalls. Pigmeat import volumes totalled 71,300 tonnes in November, up by 1,200t on October, the fou...

19 Jan 2024

Philippines bans poultry imports from Japan

Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippines has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of poultry and poultry products from Japan due to an outbreak of bird flu there, the Philippine Department of Agriculture said on January 18. The department said Philippine Agriculture Secretary F...

17 Jan 2024

Bord Bia to reactivate €1.6 million campaign in China as Irish beef exports resume

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed the resumption of Irish beef exports to China after a ten week suspension by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). Bord Bia CEO Jim O’Toole has welcomed the lifting of the suspension by ...

16 Jan 2024

Dover: Fears over African swine fever from illegal meat

African swine fever could be brought into the UK in illegal pork meat, officials fear. Port health officials believe they are “barely scratching the surface” of illegal pork meat entering at Dover. African swine fever is currently spreading through Europe and could...

15 Jan 2024

New restrictions in movement of meat products between GB and NI

The movement of meat products between GB and NI will see new restrictions from today, in what the sector has called a further ‘erosion’ of firms’ ability to trade flexibly. It is now no longer possible to bring in bulk meat shipments from overseas to a centra...

15 Jan 2024

Beef exports should feature in Ireland-China talks, says think tank

The head of an Ireland-Asia think tank has said he hopes the ban on beef exports to China will be on the table when Taoiseach Leo Varadkar hosts Chinese premier Li Qiang this week. China’s second most powerful politician after President Xi Jinping will meet Mr Varadkar for b...

15 Jan 2024

Calls for alpacas and llamas to be included in export-for-slaughter ban

A ban on exporting livestock for slaughter and fattening should be extended to protect alpacas, llamas, and deer, Labour has said. Plans to ban such exports from Great Britain for cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses are due to be considered by the House of Commons on Monda...

12 Jan 2024

China lifts ban on Belgian pork

Beijing ends embargo five years after swine flu outbreak, as Belgian PM visits Beijing. BEIJING — China has lifted its ban on imports of Belgian pig products, five years after an outbreak of African swine flu slashed the sector’s access to the crucial Asian market. The ne...

11 Jan 2024

Mexico opens doors for British pork offal

British pork exporters are set to benefit from additional trade with Mexico with the market opening further to include offal with a potential estimated value of £18m over the next five years. The announcement represents another boost for the sector and has come two years afte...

11 Jan 2024

UK faces ASF risks from illegally imported pork

Growing amounts of illegal pork imports into the UK significantly increase the risk of the introduction of African Swine Fever (ASF) into the country. The National Pig Association (NPA) has therefore called for all non-commercial pork imports to the UK be made illegal and f...

11 Jan 2024

Cranswick acquires pork and poultry value added procressor

Cranswick has announced the acquisition of Froch Foods Holdings, an added value processor of predominantly pork and poultry related products. Froch Foods operates from a dedicated facility in Stourton, Leeds, employing 74 people, and provides specialist processing capabilities...

11 Jan 2024

Australian meat ad labelled ‘best in history’

An Australian meat advertisement making fun of the population’s generational gap has gone viral and some viewers are calling it the “best ad in history.” The advert titled “The Generation Gap” was released on Sunday (7 December) by “Australian Lamb”, which is ope...

11 Jan 2024

Irish beef exports in 2023 estimated at €2.7 billion

The total value of Irish primary beef exports in 2023 is estimated at €2.7 billion, which is an increase of 2% over 2022, according to Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects report for 2023/24. The report was launched yesterday (Wednesday, January 10) by the Ministe...

11 Jan 2024

Bernard Matthews Great Wichingham site may close

Hundreds of jobs have been put at risk after the poultry producer Bernard Matthews announced it was looking to close one of its sites. The company said its factory at Great Witchingham, Norfolk, had become “loss-making and not commercially viable” despite recent in...

10 Jan 2024

Kildare Chilling takeover sees three companies control 90-95pc of sheep kill – CCPC

Ireland’s three main meat processors will have a combined market share of approximately 90-95pc in the purchase of live lambs after Dawn Meat’s acquisition of Kildare Chilling. Despite the ‘highly concentrated’ nature of the market for the purchase of l...

09 Jan 2024

World’s Top Meat Supplier Should Not Join NYSE, UK Lawmakers Urge

(Bloomberg) — A group of UK lawmakers is planning to push the US Securities and Exchange Commission to block listing JBS SA, the world’s largest meat supplier, on the New York Stock Exchange, citing efforts to fight climate change. JBS “has a well-documented history ...

09 Jan 2024

South Korea bans dog meat trade

The slaughter and sale of dogs for their meat is to become illegal in South Korea after MPs backed a new law. The legislation, set to come into force by 2027, aims to end the centuries-old practice of humans eating dog meat. Dog meat stew, called “boshintang”, is c...

08 Jan 2024

Wolverhampton meat factory fire believed to be accidental

Fire investigators of a meat factory fire on the Stafford Road in Wolverhampton believe the fire started accidentally. The fire, which occurred shortly after 2:05a.m on Sunday, January 7, at a meat factory, was attended by 55 firefighters over the course of two days. West Mi...

07 Jan 2024

FSA urged to back introduction of edible insects

Consumers and food safety groups should get over the ‘yuck factor’ and embrace edible insects as part of a more sustainable food system, according to a new report. The UK Edible Insect Association (UKEIA) study, produced with support from the University of Sheffield&...

07 Jan 2024

Firefighters tackle blaze at ScotBeef meat processing unit

Dozens of firefighters tackled a large fire in the early hours at a meat processing factory in Wolverhampton. Crews were called just after 02:00 GMT to the single-story unit occupied by food provider ScotBeef in Stafford Road. West Midlands Fire Service said about 40 firefight...

06 Jan 2024

NPA calls for tougher illegal meat import rules

The National Pig Association (NPA) has called for tougher rules on meat imports after ‘deeply worrying’ quantities of illegal meat were seized at the Port of Dover. It was revealed 57 tonnes of illegally imported pigmeat has been seized at the Port of Dover since Sept...

04 Jan 2024

Argentina lifts restrictions on beef exports

The Argentine Government of President Javier Milei has authorized the export of seven “popular cuts” of beef which had been banned from sales abroad under Alberto Fernández, it was reported in Buenos Aires. The National Agrifood Health and Quality Service (SENASA) greenli...

03 Jan 2024

Ireland: Weekly Cattle Prices 3rd January

Prices reported as quoted or paid to IFA Members. Prices up 5c/kg to 10c/kg. Factories paying above quotes. Steer base €5.00/5.10/kg. Heifer base €5.10/5.15kg. Young Bulls R/U €5.00/5.50/kg. Higher prices for larger and specialised lots. Cows €3.80/€4.60/kg. In-spec ...

03 Jan 2024

AHDB Pork market update: domestic round up

Key points: GB pig prices continue to fall but with a steady decline Production grew for November to 85,200 tonnes but remains below last year More pigs came forward ahead of Christmas, bringing slaughter to 910,500 head Imports grew for October, as EU product remains competit...

03 Jan 2024

‘Unprecedented’ volumes of illegal meat seized at Port of Dover

Vast quantities of illegally imported meat are being seized by Dover Port Health Authority (DPHA) at the Port of Dover, with the authority fearing this could be just the ‘tip of the iceberg’. The revelation comes against the backdrop of growing industry concerns over repe...

03 Jan 2024

Lab-meat dubbed one of 2023’s biggest tech failures

It has been a difficult year for alternative proteins, topped off by a Massachusetts Institute of Technology Review assessment that laboratory-grown meat is one of the worst technology failures of 2023. The billions per year ploughed by investors into the alternative protein s...

03 Jan 2024

Meat Business Women Announces New Territory Partner For Australia

Meat Business Women, the pioneering membership community for women in the global meat industry, is stepping up its presence in Australia with a new three-year partnership with industry affairs specialist Stacey McKenna. The partnership will commence in January 2024 and will ...

02 Jan 2024

AHDB launches new Let’s Eat Balanced campaign

The theme for the vibrant January campaign is ‘THIS and THAT’, encouraging consumers to adopt a sustainable, healthy and nutritiously balanced diet. The campaign adverts will highlight that British beef, lamb, and dairy are natural sources of protein and vitamin B1...

21 Dec 2023

Final steps in securing Irish beef access to South Korea

Ireland has reached the final steps in securing beef access to South Korea. It has been announced this week the decision of the National Assembly of South Korea to advance Ireland’s application for beef access to the next stage. This follows Minister for Agriculture C...

21 Dec 2023

ABP Food Group expands pet-food factory in Ireland

ABP Food Group is to invest in a pet-food plant in Ireland, with plans to boost the site’s production capacity. Through C&D Foods, the pet food branch of ABP, the company is investing €48m ($52.6m) in the project at the factory in County Longford, Ireland. The project ...

19 Dec 2023

Saudi Arabia gives green light to Paraguayan meat exports

Saudi Arabia’s Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has given the green light to the purchase of beef from Paraguay after a successful audit, the South American country’s National Service for Animal Quality and Health (Senacsa) announced Monday in Asunción. The audit, w...

14 Dec 2023

Meat could be answer to ending world hunger, says UN report

A new study has urged developing nations to boost livestock production in order to provide essential nutrients Meat production could be the answer to addressing world hunger and should be ‘ramped up’, according to a UN report which was unveiled at COP28. The United Na...

14 Dec 2023

£4m fund launched to support smaller abattoirs in England

For the first time, smaller abattoirs in England will be able to apply for capital grants through a new £4 million fund designed to boost the sector. Smaller abattoirs are really important. They’re vital to farmers getting their products to market. Smaller abattoirs are a...

13 Dec 2023

China lifts restrictions on Australian abattoirs as trade tensions ease

China has lifted suspensions from three Australian abattoirs in a further easing of punitive trade sanctions. China’s customs agency has removed bans on Teys Australia in Naracoorte, South Australia, Australian Lamb Company in Colac, Victoria, and JBS in Melbourne. But e...

13 Dec 2023

Fears Australian lamb imports could topple firm market

Many sheep producers’ Christmas wish lists will have an end to bluetongue virus and continued goodwill between China and Australia written firmly at the top. Fears that containers of Australian lamb will flood the market have mounted across the UK after the country’s sheep...

13 Dec 2023

Jersey abattoir reopens after Storm damage

The only abattoir in Jersey has reopened earlier than expected after being damaged in Storm Ciarán. The St Helier facility sustained extensive damage and was forced to close in November. The abattoir will be operating on extra days to make sure all animals are processed in ti...

13 Dec 2023

Applications open for new £4 million fund to support smaller abattoirs

The government has today (Wednesday 13 December) launched the £4 million Smaller Abattoir Fund to boost the sustainability and efficiency of red meat and poultry smaller abattoirs across England. The smaller abattoir sector has an important role in maintaining British food se...

12 Dec 2023

Channel 4’s beef programme ‘amounted to an onslaught’ on British farming

Channel 4’s recent programme looking at the beef sector ‘amounted to an onslaught’ on British farming, the NFU has said. The union has sent a letter of complaint to Channel 4 and the producers of ‘The Big British Beef Battle’, aired on 1 December 2023. Th...

09 Dec 2023

Meat processors raise concern over new immigration rules

Meat processors have expressed concern that new rules will restrict access for migrants to fill critical labour shortages whilst liberalising access where no vacancies exist. The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) said the government was in danger of imposing blanket r...

04 Dec 2023

Bord Bia secures EU funding for an organic beef and lamb campaign

Bord Bia has won two new EU contracts to promote organic EU beef and lamb and a separate campaign to promote EU mushrooms, as announced by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The combined value of the two campaigns is €5.7 million over three years. This compr...

30 Nov 2023

JBS Mulls More Investments In Saudi Arabia

J&F, parent company of food processor JBS SA, said the meat giant is mulling new investments in Saudi Arabia as a Brazilian government delegation that includes president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva meets local officials to boost business ties. “Every day we become m...

30 Nov 2023

Italy could face EU fines over ban on lab-grown meat

Italy could face EU fines over a ban on lab-grown meat aimed at protecting the country’s culinary heritage and farmers’ livelihoods. The law prohibits the production, sale and consumption of laboratory-produced food “from cell cultures or tissue derived from vertebrate...

30 Nov 2023

Australian sheep flock hits record high

Australia is reporting a record sheep flock, 78 million head, which means the price of mutton has collapsed, as low as 80 US cents per kilo, and many farmers are culling or not mating their ewes to cut costs and implement a workable sustainable food/flock relation ahead of the...

29 Nov 2023

Vegan diet to be ‘imposed’ on Warwick University students

Tens of thousands of students from one of Britain’s top Russell Group universities will now be served vegan food after activists won a vote to ban all meat and dairy products. Students at the University of Warwick supported a motion to ensure union-run catering outlets g...

29 Nov 2023

Welsh secure new lamb deal with Japan

Sushi, Tempora, Gyoza, Welsh Lamb…that could be a gourmet menu in Japan as early as next week after the announcement of a new export deal by Hybu Cig Cymru-Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair today. “I can tell you today that Welsh Lamb is on its way ...

29 Nov 2023

Irish Angus beef pushes for PGI status

Irish beef farmers are a step closer to achieving protected geographical indication (PGI) status in the EU for certified Irish Angus Beef. If successful, this could allow beef producers in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to receive a premium for Aberdeen Angus cat...

23 Nov 2023

AHDB: Beef market update for October

GB deadweight cattle prices varied throughout October. The all-prime average price started the month at 479.2p/kg and stabilised before a slight drop of around 2.5p for the last two weeks. Overall cow prices fell with some large drops through the month, down by 30p throughout...

23 Nov 2023

AHDB: Lamb market update for October

The liveweight SQQ averaged 255p/kg in October, up by just under 4p since September. Liveweight SQQ prices ended the month as they started, averaging 252p/kg for the week ending 4 November, having peaked at 258p/kg in the second week. The deadweight SQQ averaged 564p/k...

23 Nov 2023

Ireland: Work permit quotas for meat processors ‘exhausted’

The provision of work permits for meat processors have been supplied to the extent that their quotas have now been described as “exhausted” by a government minister. This was said by Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), Neale Ric...

22 Nov 2023

Californian market opens up to UK pork in January

NSF, the only Red Tractor Certification Body for pork, can now certify British pork for the lucrative Californian market. NSF has become one of the first UK certification bodies to offer California’s Proposition 12 (Prop 12) certification for UK pork. This certification is c...

21 Nov 2023

JBS resumes operations, expands beef plant in Brazil

JBS has resumed operations at its Friboi facility in Diamantino, Mato Grosso, Brazil, following a fire in June this year. The factory, which has a processing capacity of 3,600 heads of cattle per day, will stand as the largest beef facility in Latin America, employing 3,000 w...

21 Nov 2023

Jersey abattoir closure a ‘massive blow’ for farmers

The only abattoir in Jersey will remain closed until mid-December, the island’s infrastructure minister has said. The abattoir in St Helier was forced to close after sustaining extensive damage during Storm Ciarán. The government said there was “a large amountR...

21 Nov 2023

Farmer’s Alliance calls for lab grown meat to be banned in Ireland

The Farmer’s Alliance political party have called for lab grown meat to be banned in Ireland to protect “traditional” meat products. The announcement was made by the new political party on the social media platform X, as the group called for a ban on “the production, s...

21 Nov 2023

Italy bans lab-grown meat due to social and economic risks

Italy has become the first nation to ban lab-grown meat, in what the Italian Minister for Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida described as a bid to prevent social and economic risks. The law was passed by Italy’s lower house of parliament, having already been approved by the...

16 Nov 2023

NI beef farmers to benefit from all-Ireland protected status

Irish grass-fed beef is to be granted special recognition by the European Commission for its characteristics and geographical origin. The commission is in the final stage of granting Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, which has been passed with no objections. The ...

15 Nov 2023

5,600 pigs killed in Hong Kong after ASF outbreak

The Hong Kong authorities ordered the culling of around 5,600 pigs after African swine fever (ASF) was discovered at a local pig farm, Reuters reports. The pig farm at Lau Fau Shan, rural Yuen Long area, near the mainland China border, tested positive for the ASF virus after s...

14 Nov 2023

Serbian poultry farmers want access to the European market

Access to the European poultry market could effectively double Serbian poultry production, a local poultry association estimated. Poultry production in Serbia is thriving, especially by the gauge of the local livestock industry, Ivan Stanojlović, chairman of the Serbian assoc...

14 Nov 2023

Barclay named Defra Secretary as Coffey resigns

Former Secretary of State for Health Steve Barclay has been named as the new head of Defra. The appointment follows the resignation of Therese Coffey who announced she would be ‘stepping back from Government’ amid the Prime Minister’s emergency reshuffle. Ms Coff...

14 Nov 2023

Brazil projected to claim top spot for poultry exports in 2024

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) predicts that global exports of chicken meat will increase by 2.91% to at least 14 million tons next year. Brazil is expected to dominate this market with a projected 36% of worldwide exports, while the United States, the worl...

13 Nov 2023

Tyson Foods to shut two more US sites

US meat processing company Tyson Foods is closing two of its case-ready meat production facilities. The sites affected will be in Jacksonville, Florida and in Columbia, South Carolina, the company confirmed to Just Food. Commenting in a statement, Tyson described the news as...

13 Nov 2023

ABP ‘cleared’ to acquire Scotbeef businesses

A competition regulator has ‘cleared’ Anglo Beef Processor’s (ABP) acquisition of Scotbeef after concerns the deal could have ‘undermined competition in the red meat sector’. The Competition and Markets Authority confirmed it had approved the Irish proces...

13 Nov 2023

Irish Cattle & Sheep Trade & Prices w/e October 29th 2023

Cattle & Beef Throughput: Up until the week ending October 29th 2023, cattle throughput in DAFM approved plants totalled 1,462,398 head, a 3% decrease from the corresponding period last year. Prime cattle have been presented for slaughter a few weeks later that normal th...

13 Nov 2023

Reviving UK Pork Exports to China

Defra Secretary Thérèse Coffey has discussed the suspension of pork exports to China from key UK pork plants during a visit to the country this week. China suspended the export licences from three key UK pork plants during the Covid epidemic – Pilgrim’s Ashton plant, w...

13 Nov 2023

Russian government issues poultry export ban

The Russian Agricultural Ministry has published a draft decree under which poultry and egg exports from the country will be banned for the next 6 months in order to bring price relief to the domestic market. The measure was rolled out shortly following a government meeting whe...

13 Nov 2023

Bird flu confirmed on South Lincolnshire turkey farm

Bird flu has been confirmed on a turkey farm in south Lincolnshire, just days after the government lowered the risk level of the disease. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was confirmed in commercial turkeys on 9 November at an indoor turkey farm near Donington. A 3km p...

10 Nov 2023

Irish beef exports to China suspended after BSE case

Beef exports from the Republic of Ireland to China have been suspended after a case of atypical BSE, commonly known as mad cow disease, was detected in a cow. Irish broadcaster RTÉ reports that the case was confirmed on Friday after tests were carried out by Irish Department ...

10 Nov 2023

Government’s live export ban ‘bad news’ for the home market

The government’s intention to ban live exports is ‘bad news’ for the home market, the industry has warned amid fears that farmers may see lower prices. The industry has responded with concern to the announcement of a live export ban which was included in th...

10 Nov 2023

GB pig prices for w/e November 5th 2023

Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain. The EU-spec SPP fell by a further 1.1p during the week ended November 4 to stand at 217.78p/kg, meaning the price index has now fallen by nearly 8p since mid-August. The decline followed the previous week’s dip of 0.7...

10 Nov 2023

China’s economy back in decline as pork prices continue to plummet.

BEIJING, Nov 9 (Reuters) – China’s consumer prices swung lower in October, as key gauges of domestic demand pointed to weakness not seen since the pandemic, while factory-gate deflation deepened, casting doubts over the chances of a broad-based economic recovery. T...

10 Nov 2023

Australia: Meat inspectors and vets strike over pay

The meat industry says it will take days to recover after hundreds of workers walk off the job around Australia today. Plant veterinarians and food safety meat assessors — from the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fis...

07 Nov 2023

King’s Speech: Government commits to end live animal exports

The government has committed to end the live exports of animals from Great Britain for slaughter or fattening, despite warnings from the industry. The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill will deliver on a government promise – made in December 2020 – to end th...

07 Nov 2023

Portsmouth becomes latest council to defy vegan trend

Portsmouth is set to become the fourth council in recent weeks to defy the vegan trend in a show of support for farmers of all sectors. A campaign to push local councils into publicly expressing support for farmers while rejecting compulsory plant-based menus has now reached P...

03 Nov 2023

Japan opens doors to British cooked poultry meat

British cooked poultry meat products will soon reach Japanese tables thanks to a new market access deal that will benefit UK farmers, meat processers and exporters. The industry estimates that this market could be worth over £10 million in the next five years. UK poultry me...

03 Nov 2023

NZ: Plenty to bleat about as lamb price tumbles

New season lamb schedule prices are falling earlier and further than many predicted, reaching levels last seen in 2017. AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad says the lamb schedule fell by 10-30c/kg this week, further and a week or two earlier than expected, with some companies now...

03 Nov 2023

Red Tractor suspends its Greener Farms Commitment

Farm assurance body Red Tractor has put its controversial plans for a new Greener Farms Commitment (GFC) on hold, pending an NFU-commissioned review of the organisation’s governance. The voluntary GFC module is supposed to come into effect next April, providing a framework f...

02 Nov 2023

‘Significant disruption’ to pork production in Northern Ireland, as Government vets strike

There is set to be significant disruption to pork production in Northern Ireland this week, as Government vets carry out a five-day strike over an unsatisfactory pay deal. Union members of the Veterinary Service Animal Health Group (VSAHG) and the NIPSA union, which represents...

02 Nov 2023

Irish beef farmers need ‘significant’ price increase ‘without delay’

Factories must increase their prices to close the gap between prime Irish beef prices and the prime export benchmark price, the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has urged. IFA president Tim Cullinan said that the Irish price is now over 40c/kg behind the Bord Bia prime e...

27 Oct 2023

Pig welfare outweighs climate concerns for consumers

Consumers would rather pay more for higher-welfare pork than for pork with a reduced climate footprint, according to a thought-provoking study by the University of Copenhagen. Researchers from the University looked at whether consumers from Denmark, Germany, the UK and Shang...

25 Oct 2023

China stops buying Dutch lamb & beef over bluetongue concerns

China has banned the import of beef and lamb from the Netherlands due to the spread of the bluetongue disease. The official prohibition applies to all ruminant animals and products derived from them. The Asian country has also banned the import of beef and lamb products from B...

25 Oct 2023

Strikes end at Browns of Kelloholm as pay deal agreed

A series of strikes at a meat processing firm in southern Scotland is over after workers secured a 13.2% pay rise. Unite union members at Browns in Kelloholm carried out several rounds of industrial action in August and September. It said workers had now secured an “exce...

20 Oct 2023

Jobs at risk as Avara factory closure announced

More than 300 jobs are at risk as poultry firm Avara has proposed closing down its Newent factory. Avara said the decision comes after facing significant inflationary pressure over the past two years. It hopes the closure will result in fewer, better-invested facilities and mo...

20 Oct 2023

Smithfield market traders’ anger over works delays

THE chairman of the Smithfield Market Tenants’ Association used a formal breakfast this week to complain about delays to the opening of the Museum of London on the Smithfield site. Speaking on Wednesday in the presence of Lord Mayor Nicholas Lyons at Butcher’s Hall in Bart...

20 Oct 2023

GB pig prices for w/e October 14th, 2023 – another big drop, EU prices plummet

Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain. The EU-spec SPP was down by a further 1.62p during the week ended October 14 to stand at 220.12p/kg, after stabilising the previous week. This was the second biggest fall of the year, meaning the SPP has now lost 5.5p s...

20 Oct 2023

Shropshire trio face court date over meat fraud

THREE men convicted of conning foreign meat firms out of more than £600,000 will discover how much they will be expected to pay back next month. Dale Seymore, Darren Williams and Fahd Bux all pleaded guilty in April this year to being concerned in an arrangement which facilit...

20 Oct 2023

Irish Sheepmeat Prices – w/e October 15th 2023

Quotes: Base quotes for lambs from the major processors have held steady this week with 600-610c/kg (plus QA bonus) available. Market demand for lamb continues to be subdued in key export markets with inflation, higher levels of imports from non-EU markets and competition fro...

20 Oct 2023

Irish Beef Prices – w/e October 15th 2023

Throughput: Up until the week ending October 15th 2023, cattle throughput in DAFM approved plants totalled 1,381,842 head, a 3% decrease from the corresponding period last year. Prime cattle have been presented for slaughter a few weeks later that normal this autumn due to ...

17 Oct 2023

EU pork production down, prices down

Pork production in the EU was 8% down, at 11.9Mt, over the first seven months of this year, the second successive year of significant decline. The production figure for January to July was also 10% down on the five-year average. The EU Commission’s latest forecast is for p...

12 Oct 2023

GB pig prices for week ending October 7, 2023 – SPP stabilises after biggest loss of the year

Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain. The EU-spec SPP stabilised, gaining 0.01p to stand at 221.73p/kg during the week ended October 7, after recording its biggest drop of the year, 1.75p, the previous week. The tiny increase ended a run of six consecutiv...

05 Oct 2023

Butchers excluded from Shortage Occupation List

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has expressed disappointment that the Government’s advisory body on labour has rejected calls to add butchers and poultry dressers to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). The Migration Advisory Committee have just published...

28 Sep 2023

ASF Italy: Almost 35,000 pigs culled

The number of culled pigs due to African Swine Fever (ASF) in the northern Italian region of Lombardy has grown to almost 35,000 on 22 farms. This number of pigs had to be culled to stop further spread of the virus. It was confirmed by the Italian veterinary authorities. Fra...

28 Sep 2023

China permits Russian pork supplies

MOSCOW. Sept 28 (Interfax) – China has granted Russia permission to supply pork to the Chinese market following ten years of Russia seeking entry to the country’s large pork market, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor...

26 Sep 2023

Dawn Meats’ Kildare acquisition is cleared

The competition watchdog has cleared the proposed acquisition of Kildare Chilling by Dawn Meats after a full investigation of the deal. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) had determined in June that a full probe was needed to establish whether the propos...

21 Sep 2023

£4m small abattoir fund to open by end of 2023

A Small Abattoir fund will open by the end of this year, providing £4m of funding in England to help improve productivity, enhance animal health and welfare and encourage investment in new technologies in vital local plants. Small abattoirs have come under increased pressure ...

21 Sep 2023

Webinar will offer tips on exporting red meat to Canada

Red meat businesses will have the opportunity to gain valuable insight on exporting to Canada through a webinar scheduled for October 19th. The event will offer a comprehensive overview of key considerations, including tips for navigating route to market, compliance, and custo...

15 Sep 2023

New Zealand: Meat exports crash as China stalls

New Zealand’s largest red meat export market has hit the wall, with China taking much less of our sheepmeat and beef. Latest figures from the Meat Industry Association (MIA) show that China is still our largest red meat export market. However, during the month of July, t...

15 Sep 2023

Sweden faces pork export bans after ASF discovery

A number of countries have banned imports of Swedish pork after African swine fever was discovered in wild boar for the first time in the country. Armenia, Australia, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Ukraine have halted pork shipments from the country even though ...

15 Sep 2023

New Zealand: Meat exporters face tough times

Meat processor and exporter Alliance Group concedes it is facing tough global market conditions with both weaker demand and pricing. In its latest newsletter to supplier/shareholders, chief executive Willie Wiese says, like all red meat exporters, Alliance’s livestock pr...

14 Sep 2023

Minerva set to become Brazil’s second-largest beef processor

Minerva Foods has made a major move to strengthen its position in the beef market with the acquisition of cattle slaughtering and deboning plants from Marfrig for BRL 7.5 billion (approx. $1.53 billion). This significant deal includes 11 plants and a distribution center in Bra...

11 Sep 2023

NZ: Staff cuts on the cards at meat processor Alliance

Alliance Group is currently conducting a review of its operational framework, which may lead to a few staff members being made redundant. The review aims to ensure that the company is adequately meeting the demands of its farmers, customers, and global market conditions. Conse...

11 Sep 2023

Irish Cattle & Sheep Trade & Prices w/e September 3rd 2023

Cattle & Beef Throughput: Up until the week ending September 3rd 2023, the overall cattle throughput in DAFM approved plants has totalled approximately 1,165,586 head, a 3% decrease from the corresponding period last year. Cattle are coming forward later that normal d...

11 Sep 2023

GB pig prices for w/e September 2nd 2023 – SPP drops back again

Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain. The EU-spec SPP fell by 0.58p to 224.76p/kg during the week ended September 2, its biggest backward step since the first week of the year. This latest drop, following the previous week’s 0.32p reduction, means the SP...

11 Sep 2023

Farmers still cautious as pig numbers drop

Pig numbers in England have fallen to their lowest levels in over a decade as the impact of last year’s reduction in breeding sows filtered through the supply chain. Latest Defra livestock population figures revealed England’s pig herd fell by almost half a million...

11 Sep 2023

Lab-grown meat can be kosher and halal, experts say

(Reuters) – Lab-grown meat can be labeled kosher and halal as long as its cells are derived in methods compliant with religious standards, according to two panels of experts commissioned by the nascent industry. The opinions are a win for cell-cultivated meat companies, ...

11 Sep 2023

U.S. clears Smithfield’s acquisition by China’s Shuanghui

(Reuters) – The U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment has cleared the way for Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd’s proposed $4.7 billion acquisition of Smithfield Foods Inc. The deal, which would be the biggest purchase of a U.S. company by a Chinese firm, still needs...

07 Sep 2023

Swine fever detected in Sweden for the first time

STOCKHOLM, Sept 6 (Reuters) – A dead wild boar in Sweden has tested positive for African swine fever, Sweden’s Veterinary Institute said on Wednesday, the first such case in the country. African swine fever is harmless to humans but is highly contagious and deadly ...

05 Sep 2023

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices

Cattle & Beef Throughput: Up until the week ending August 27th 2023, the overall cattle throughput in DAFM approved plants has totalled approximately 1,100,616 head, a 3% decrease from the corresponding period last year. Cattle supplies are expected to see some seasonal i...

05 Sep 2023

France makes fresh bid to ban meat names for plant-based food

France has revealed revised proposals to ban the use of meat-related names, such as “steak” and “spare ribs,” for plant-based food produced in the country. The intention is to avoid “misleading claims” that some meat alternatives can make. A...

05 Sep 2023

Kepak appoints new CEO

Irish meat-processing group Kepak has announced the appointment of food business professional Brian Farrell as the new CEO of its foods division. Prior to joining Kepak, which is based in Co Meath, Mr Farrell held several senior executive positions with Glanbia and IBI Corpora...

05 Sep 2023

Uruguay to resume meat exports to Mexico

Uruguay announced the resumption of meat exports to Mexico after three years, with 22 slaughterhouses authorized to sell beef and sheep meat to that country for the next two years, it was reported in Montevideo. Mexico’s National Service of Agrifood Health, Safety, and Q...

31 Aug 2023

Shares take a tumble as investors beef about Minerva’s acquisition

SAO PAULO, Aug 29 (Reuters) – Shares in South America’s largest beef exporter fell sharply on Tuesday as investors digested Minerva’s BEEF3.SA move to acquire 16 slaughterhouses from rival meatpacker Marfrig MRFG3.SA for 7.5 billion reais ($1.53 billion...

30 Aug 2023

Australia: Shoppers paying high meat prices as farmers say sheep not worth sending to market

Farmers in Australia are shooting sheep rather than taking them to market because the price they are being paid for lamb is not enough to cover their costs. Retail prices for meat remain high and food relief charities say they are supporting record numbers of families strug...

29 Aug 2023

Marfrig and Minerva agree to major moves in the global meat markets

Marfrig and Minerva the two protein production and processing giants, from Brazil, and which dominate a significant share to the global market have agreed to concentrate in different spheres of the market, in a deal that has shaken the whole industry. Meatpacker Marfrig has ag...

29 Aug 2023

Brazil’s Marfrig sells abattoirs to Minerva in $1.5 bn deal

SAO PAULO, Aug 28 (Reuters) – Brazilian meatpacker Marfrig has agreed to sell 16 slaughtering plants to rival Minerva for 7.5 billion reais ($1.54 billion) in a deal that will significantly change its profile in South America, according to a securities filing. With the ...

26 Aug 2023

Sheep Meat Trade between the UK and Australia: Current State and Future Outlook

The UK and Australia signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on June 15, 2021, that allows for the free trade of various goods, including sheep meat. The FTA permits sheep meat to be traded without tariffs between the two countries, making it easier for UK consumers to enjoy Austr...

23 Aug 2023

US sheep farmers call for tariffs on NZ sheep meat imports

Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor has expressed concern over a bid by United States sheep farmers to impose tariffs on New Zealand sheep meat exports. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson echoed O’Connor’s concerns and said the ministry app...

23 Aug 2023

Reform poultry industry to halt bird flu, welfare charity demands

The poultry industry needs to be reformed in order to stop the spread of avian influenza, a new report released by Compassion in World Farming has warned. The report – called Bird flu: Only major farm reforms can end it – claims that, contrary to popular belief, wild bird...

23 Aug 2023

Ireland: Downward pressure on beef prices ‘unacceptable and must stop’

The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has hit out at what it has called “downward pressure” being applied to beef prices by meat processors, saying it is “unacceptable and must stop”. Speaking this morning (Wednesday, August 23), Brendan Golden, the IFA’s Livestock ...

23 Aug 2023

Defra lifts bird flu ban

Defra has lifted its ban on gatherings of certain poultry and birds, including chickens, turkeys and pheasants, following the UK’s largest ever outbreak of bird flu. From Wednesday (23 August), gatherings of birds, which also include partridge, quail and guinea fowl, are...

21 Aug 2023

Young’s confirms closure of Grimsby site with loss of 200 jobs

Young’s Seafood will close its Marsden Road site in Grimsby, with the anticipated loss of more than 200 jobs. The company has been unable to find a way to keep operations going, with the loss of a retail contract understood to have led to the move. The Ross House team has wo...

21 Aug 2023

FSS launches food crime protection tool for businesses

Food Standards Scotland has unveiled its new online tool that it claims may prevent them becoming a victim of food crime. Unveiling its new online tool, Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has urged food and drink businesses to sign up to use it as it believes it “may prevent them...

21 Aug 2023

JBS posts $53 million net loss in second quarter

JBS released its Q2 2023 financial results this week, revealing a net loss of $53 million in Q2 2023, down sharply from a net profit of $803 million in Q2 2022. The decline was the result of an oversupply of poultry and tighter beef margins in the U.S., as well as an overall c...

21 Aug 2023

Researchers make plant-based meat “more palatable”

University of Leeds researchers have developed a colloidal technique that “could give a juicy sensation without adding fat” to plant-based meat. Hoping to encourage even more consumers to opt for plant-based meat, a team of researchers at the University of Leeds have devel...

21 Aug 2023

Frustrations grow at lack of progress over food import controls

Fears are growing that the UK government plans to delay food import controls post-Brexit for a fifth time, which poultry leaders argue will lead to a flood of cheap imports. The British Poultry Council says proportionate controls are key to a profitable, sustainable food sys...

21 Aug 2023

Opposition builds towards Cranswick’s proposed ‘mega farm’

Cranswick is facing significant opposition from locals at the proposed construction of a large pig and poultry farm in rural Norfolk. Hundreds of people in the villages of Methwold and Feltwell have objected to the company’s plans to build a site to rear millions of pigs and...

21 Aug 2023

Dawn Meats co-founder Peter Queally dies, aged 83

Peter Queally, the Irish entrepreneur who co-founded one of Europe’s largest meat processors, has died aged 83. The Waterford businessman was a well-known figure in the Irish food industry, having founded Dawn Meats – along with his brother John and business partner Dan Br...

16 Aug 2023

Australia: Lamb price to remain soft

Lamb consumption in China hasn’t taken off post-Covid, resulting in high inventories in coldstores. North Island prices last month dipped to $7.20/kg. In the same week a year ago they were $9.10/kg. The South Island lamb price was forecast at $7.30/kg compared to $9.20/kg th...

02 Aug 2023

UK ends strict controls for beef and poultry from Brazil

The UK has lifted reinforced inspections on meat products from Brazil after analyzing the country’s control system. The decision covers consignments of beef, poultry, and meat products and preparations exported from Brazil to England, Scotland, and Wales. It comes after an a...

27 Jul 2023

UK pork imports rise as domestic supplies dwindle

UK pork imports rose in May as supplies of domestic pork remained suppressed due to the contraction of the national breeding herd. Total pork imports for the month, at 68,600 tonnes, were nearly 9,300 tonnes (16%) up from April’s levels and 2% (1,600 tonnes) higher than Ma...

27 Jul 2023

Pressure on GB beef market as prices continue to fall

NFU Livestock Board chair Richard Findlay shares his concerns for the UK’s beef market following a sharp downturn in the price of British and Irish beef. There is growing concern that we’re seeing sustained falls in the GB beef price. In the last 8 weeks we’ve seen o...

27 Jul 2023

Takeover rumours mount for Irish meat processor

A major Cavan Town meat processor has refused to comment on speculation of an impending takeover, in the same week as an investigation into paperwork irregularities were revealed. The Anglo-Celt understands that McCarren & Co could potentially be taken over by Irish meat p...

25 Jul 2023

Abattoirs report lamb numbers up but carcase weights lighter

Reduced carcase weights are limiting production volumes despite sheep and cattle numbers climbing during the first half of 2023, according to the latest UK abattoir data. Prime lamb slaughterings have been strong so far this year with March recording the highest monthly throug...

24 Jul 2023

Hide and skin values remain under pressure

Prices for cattle hides and sheepskins are struggling amid lower demand and finished leather sales remaining uncertain. After a notable period of stability, UK heavy cattle hide values have taken a dip in recent weeks. The supply chain continues to be squeezed by increased cos...

20 Jul 2023

The Meatex Masterclass – A Tour de Force Through the Various Meat Cuts!

Welcome, meat enthusiasts and budget-conscious gourmands alike, to the most tantalizing and educational experience you’ll ever embark upon: The Meatex guide to the different cuts of beef, lamb, pork, and poultry. Get ready to explore the succulent universe of meat cuts, ...

20 Jul 2023

UK pig throughputs hit 10-year low

UK pigmeat production over the first half of this year was 13% down on 2022 and the lowest figure recorded since 2017, as pig supplies fell to a 10-year low. In June the UK produced 74,700 tonnes of pig meat, according to Defra data, 7% down from May volumes and down 11% J...

20 Jul 2023

City Corporation’s vision for a Food School takes shape with introduction at Billingsgate Market

A new pilot food school located at the historic Billingsgate Fish Market opened its doors to schools from Barking and Dagenham, as an introduction to the City of London Corporation’s vision for a permanent food school in the east London borough. The City Corporation is devel...

20 Jul 2023

Defra ditches compulsory animal welfare labelling plans

Defra has ditched plans to consult on proposals to roll out compulsory animal welfare labelling on food products following industry criticism. Under the plans, new regulations would have required products, initially pork, poultry and eggs, to be categorised in different tiers ...

19 Jul 2023

UK beef sector faces ‘catastrophic decline’, body warns government

The National Beef Association (NBA) has called for ‘urgent changes’ to current UK farming policies or else the beef sector will be pushed into a ‘catastrophic decline’. The organisation has sent a message to the Prime Minister, warning that ‘misgu...

19 Jul 2023

New chair of Isle of Man Meats company appointed

A new chair of the Isle of Man’s meat plant has been appointed after a period of uncertainty. Nigel Davis takes over from Clare Barber MHK who has held the position on an interim basis since November. She stepped in following a damning audit last year, which found that t...

18 Jul 2023

British gov’t lifts restrictions on Brazilian meat

British authorities have decided to lift the reinforced controls on Brazilian meat, Brasilia’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture announced Monday, according to Agencia Brasil. The measure was adopted nine months after a technical team visited the South Americ...

18 Jul 2023

Canadian meat industry urges MPs to reject U.K. membership in trade deal

Canadian beef and pork farmers, who have long been frustrated with an ongoing dispute with Britain over meat exports, are urgently appealing to members of Parliament to reject the UK’s inclusion in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership...

13 Jul 2023

NPA sets out case for ‘essential’ support of small abattoirs

The NPA has set out the case for how small and medium-sized abattoirs should be supported under Defra’s new funding scheme. Farming Minister Mark Spencer announced in February that Defra would be developing a Smaller Abattoir Fund. Small abattoirs have been in decline for...

13 Jul 2023

Brazilian beef industry adopting to lower prices for Chinese demand

Beef consumption in China is lower than what Brazilian exporters had anticipated for the post-pandemic period, according to a report by Datagro. Data compiled by the consultancy from China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs reveals that beef prices have fallen below...

12 Jul 2023

EU-NZ trade deal to make ‘an already bad situation worse’ for Irish sheep farmers

The EU and New Zealand free trade agreement will “make an already bad situation worse” for Irish sheep farmers. The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association sheep chairman Sean McNamara has said that the decision to allow an additional 38,000 tonnes of sheepmeat ...

07 Jul 2023

ASF Russia: thousands of pigs to be culled

An African swine fever (ASF) outbreak occurred at pig farms Leninsky-1 and Leninsky-2 operated by agricultural holding RusAgro in the Russian far east. ASF hit Leninsky-2 first. Andrey Bronts, the governor of Primorsk Krai, admitted that to contain the spread of the virus, the...

07 Jul 2023

Pilgrim’s Ashton pork processing site closes after 70 years

Pilgrim’s UK Ashton-under-Lyne pork processing site will process pigs for the last time today, as the sector called the firm’s decision ‘disappointing’. Pilgrim’s Ashton site will kill pigs for the last time on Friday (7 July), with existing operation...

07 Jul 2023

Shock following closure of Cumbrian abattoir

THE news that Black Brow abattoir near Wigton is closing has shocked producers and butchers. The abattoir, which was taken over in 2004, is used by north Cumbrian farmers who rely on it for slaughtering their livestock. Many farmers in the area market their meat from their ani...

06 Jul 2023

Sainsbury’s changes meat packaging again after previous switch

Sainsbury’s has made another change to its meat packaging, months after a move branded “disgusting” by customers. The supermarket giant has announced it is removing plastic trays from its steak range, replacing them with a cardboard alternative. The change, which will af...

04 Jul 2023

Outlook grim for Ukraine poultry industry

Ukraine will see a 6-7% decline in poultry production in 2023, Sergey Karpenko, executive director of the Ukrainian poultry farmers association, told local press. Despite a drop in domestic output in 2023, the Ukrainian poultry market still has a production surplus owing to im...

04 Jul 2023

Ireland: Spring lamb quotes slip by up to 65c/kg

The sheep trade has seen prices fall across the board this week, with spring lamb dropping by up to 65c/kg, and some factories not providing quotes for lambs. It will come as a further disappointment to farmers who had been anticipating the arrival of the Muslim festival Eid a...

04 Jul 2023

Croatia confirms its first case of African swine fever

On Monday the Croatian Veterinary Institute confirmed African swine fever in blood samples from sick pigs and in organ samples from dead pigs taken from two facilities in the area of Posavski Podgajac in Vukovar-Srijem County. All 48 domestic pigs were kept outdoors on ...

04 Jul 2023

QMS launches new five-year strategy to drive global Scottish meat sales

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has launched a new five-year strategy to ‘make Scotland the choice for premium red meat across the world’. The strategy was launched at QMS’s annual industry breakfast briefing at the Royal Highland Show on Friday. Its aim is to lead the deve...

04 Jul 2023

GB pig prices for week ending June 24, 2023

Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain. The EU-spec SPP inched up by a further 0.19p to reach another new high of 222.84p/kg during the week ended June 24. The latest rise, the smallest since early February, follows the previous week’s increase of 0.57p an...

04 Jul 2023

China both a target and a risk for NZ exporters

WELLINGTON, June 23 (Reuters) – As New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins prepares to lead a trade delegation to China seeking greater access for both the country’s primary exports and emerging sectors such as gaming, producers are diversifying away from their bi...

26 Jun 2023

Investigation finds issues with meat sourced from Poland

Three UK retailers are buying meat from chickens in Poland that were given a group of antibiotics used to treat human Salmonella infections. An investigation by broadcaster ITV, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism and newspaper The Guardian found Asda, Iceland, and Lidl ...

26 Jun 2023

UK Meat and Fish Exports to EU Plunge by Nearly Half Since Brexit, Trade Analysis Reveals

A new analysis of trade figures has highlighted a significant decline in UK meat and fish exports to the European Union (EU) since Brexit. The data shows a sharp decrease in food trade, raising concerns about the impact of Brexit on the economy. The Labour Party is calling for...

26 Jun 2023

GB pig prices for week ending June 17, 2023

Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain. The EU-spec SPP increased by a further 0.57p to reach another new high of 222.65p/kg during the week ended June 17. The latest rise follows the previous week’s increase of 0.74p and means the SPP has now risen for 22...

26 Jun 2023

‘More positivity’ across the pig sector

There is ‘more positivity’ across the pig sector following two years of crippling losses, the National Pig Association (NPA) has said, although longer-term concerns remain. Farmers summed up the sector’s mood during recent NPA meetings, as sustained higher pi...

26 Jun 2023

Second council votes to resist anti-meat and dairy trend

Councillors in Northamptonshire have voted in favour of a ‘fight back’ motion as part of an ongoing effort to block anti-livestock farming sentiment seen at several other councils elsewhere. The motion will ensure the authority’s commitment to local farmers by proactivel...

26 Jun 2023

EU trade problems must be resolved, British Poultry Council says

Ongoing asymmetry in UK-EU trade threatens to push up food prices in the UK, BPC chief executive, Richard Griffiths, told attendees at new conference Trade Unlocked. Trade Unlocked – supported by UK Trade and Business Commission and Best for Britain – brought together parl...

23 Jun 2023

BLOG: Borough Market: An Adventure into London’s Food Haven

Southwark’s Borough Market is a testament to the culinary heritage of London. As the city’s oldest fruit and vegetable market it has a longstanding history going back over 1,000 years. It thrived as a wholesale market until the declining trade of the late 20th century open...

23 Jun 2023

Russian poultry groups increasingly rely on halal to boost exports

Russia sees a steady growth in halal food exports and hopes it will spur poultry sales to foreign customers in the coming years. Russia’s largest meat producer, Cherkizovo Group, expects the country to get the green light this year to export poultry and livestock products t...

23 Jun 2023

Pet Retailer Backs Cultivated Meat Dog Food Firm

Pets at Home has contributed to a £3.6m seed round by Good Dog Food (GDF), a pet food business which uses cultivated meat for its products. Other investors in the latest funding round include Agronomics, a listed company focused on the field of cellular agriculture which coun...

22 Jun 2023

US Regulator Allows First Sales Of Lab-Grown Meat

Two companies, Upside Foods and Good Meat have received final U.S. Department of Agriculture approval to sell lab-grown meat, paving the way for the nation’s first-ever sales of the product. With the approvals, the United States will become the second country after Si...

22 Jun 2023

EU Pork On A Lean Streak As Higher Standards Drive Up Costs

Record pig prices could have spurred farmers like Carole Joliff to expand their herd, but costly livestock regulations, flagging demand and spreading swine disease point instead to a long-term decline in the European Union, the world’s top pork exporter. “We’...

20 Jun 2023

Pig industry in Poland heads deeper into crisis

The coming months will be particularly challenging for the pig industry in Poland. Polish pig farmers are struggling to make ends meet, says Wiesław Różański, president of the Polish Union of meat industry producers and Employers. Currently, the industry is not in the best...

20 Jun 2023

UK-NZ FTA brings ‘exciting opportunities’ for NZ beef

New Zealand’s only 100% farmer owned red meat co-operative The Alliance Group, which has over 5,000 farmer shareholders, has spoken out on the UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which came into force Wednesday 31st May 2023. Under the FTA, the UK, which is New Zealand...

19 Jun 2023

GB pig prices for week ending June 3, 2023 – SPP up again

Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain. The EU-spec SPP increased by a further 0.74p to reach yet another new high of 222.09p/kg during the week ended June 10. The latest rise follows the previous week’s increase of 0.58p and means the SPP has now risen fo...

19 Jun 2023

CAS deemed unsuitable for Halal poultry

The Australian Fatwa Council has concluded that the practice of CAS stunning, in its current form, is not fit for Halal consumption under the Islamic laws and principles of Halal slaughter. Stunning, in general, is discouraged under Halal slaughter. An Islamic verdict was prev...

19 Jun 2023

Growing demand for animal fats biofuels

Using rendered animal fats from poultry, pigs and cattle as transport fuels is causing alarm to climate scientists. Rendered animal fats from poultry, pigs and cattle have been used for many years in pet food and in the oleochemical sector for soaps and cosmetics. But, their u...

17 Jun 2023

Saudis lift 22-year ban on meat imports from Uganda

Saudi Arabia has decided to lift a ban imposed 2001 on meat imports from Uganda. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority said the decision to end the ban came after reaching a pact on health and technical terms and approving health certificates between the kingdom and Uganda on impo...

16 Jun 2023

Dawn Meats sells French beef stake back to joint venture partner

Dawn Meats is selling its 49pc stake in French beef producer Elivia to the business’s farmer-owned majority shareholder Terrena. The Irish company said it is eyeing alternative opportunities in France after determining it and Terrena’s ambitions for Elivia were “not alig...

16 Jun 2023

Taiwan lifts ban on Canadian beef over 30 months old

Taipei, June 15 (CNA) The Cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal to lift the ban on importing Canadian beef from cattle older than 30 months. Taiwan previously only imported Canadian beef from cattle under 30 months old. It lifted similar restrictions on imports of U.S. beef ...

16 Jun 2023

Waitrose pledges to sell British beef from 20 native breeds

Waitrose has pledged to sell British beef from 20 native breeds as part of a move to provide farmers with greater flexibility. The new breeds will come via the retailer’s beef provider Dovecote Park, based in Yorkshire, and will include Red Ruby, Belted Galloway, Welsh B...

15 Jun 2023

ABP acquires two Scotbeef Sites

ABP Foods is to purchase two major beef processing facilities from competitor Scotbeef. Scotbeef today announced the sale of their abattoir at Bridge of Allan and meat packing facility at Queenslie, Glasgow, to ABP Foods. The sale is expected to complete at the end of July 202...

15 Jun 2023

285 jobs at risk as Young’s Grimsby factory no longer ‘financially sustainable’

285 jobs are at risk after the announcement that a Young’s Seafood factory in Grimsby may close later this year. The site, on Marsden Road, is predominantly used to produce the company’s whitefish products with plans to move what’s left of the factory to Hu...

14 Jun 2023

Ireland: Lamb prices up 20c/kg as market recovers

Demand for lambs at the factories has increased as the processors begin to gear up for the Eid al-Adha celebrations at the end of the month. The quotes for lambs have been increased by up to 20c/kg this week, which is a welcome recovery in the returns for producers as they reg...

14 Jun 2023

Estimated GB slaughterings 12% down in May, as tight supplies drive pig prices

Estimated GB slaughterings were down 12% year-on-year during May, representing more than 100,000 head, AHDB data shows, as tight supplies continue to drive pig prices higher. Estimated GB slaughter for the five weeks ending June 3 totalled 761,700 head, a weekly average of 15...

14 Jun 2023

Mandatory CCTV is improving welfare in abattoirs, review concludes

The introduction of mandatory CCTV in all abattoirs in England in 2018 has been effective in improving animal welfare standards, a five-year post-Implementation review has concluded. Taking into account views from industry, animal welfare groups and retailers, the report,�...

14 Jun 2023

Former M&S food boss joins Farmison as chief executive

Just 50 days after coming under new ownership, online meat retailer Farmison & Co has appointed a chief executive and established a partnership with delivery service Gopuff. The retailer was acquired back in April by a consortium led by former Asda chief executive Andy Cla...

14 Jun 2023

Abattoirs face £30k fines over animal welfare breaches

Several workers and two abattoirs have been hauled before the courts following three Food Standards Agency (FSA) investigations into animal cruelty claims. Six members of staff at G & GB Hewitt Ltd pleaded guilty to a total of 25 animal welfare offences while the slaughter...

13 Jun 2023

Ireland Sheep trade: Lamb price lifts as Eid al-Adha drives demand

Sheep prices have started to show signs of the expected increase this month ahead of the Eid al-Adha festival, with spring lamb showing increases of up to 15c/kg since last week. The prices come this week with the announcement that the residency period from the export criteria...

13 Jun 2023

Meatless Farm: Vegan mince firm on brink of collapse

A vegan food company has stopped trading and let its staff go after it was unable to survive in the tough meat-free market. Meatless Farm made plant-based alternatives to meat and was stocked in major UK supermarkets, but made its 50-strong workforce redundant on Friday. In 20...

13 Jun 2023

Brazilian beef stranded in Chinese ports triggers a Lula phone call to Xi

Since some 70,000 tons of Brazilian beef are stranded at Chinese ports awaiting an official clearance resolution from Beijing since the identification of an atypical case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), known as “mad cow disease” in Brazil, President Lula da Sil...

12 Jun 2023

Kepak Merthyr to boost employment at Welsh plant

Kepak Merthyr has underlined its commitment to its 850-strong workforce in Wales with a £16 million investment programme for 2023, according to the meat processing company. Kepak has highlighted that its plant in Merthyr Tydfil contributes over £200 million each year to t...

12 Jun 2023

Irish beef imports up by 58%

Central Statistics Office trade data show that 14,119 tonnes of beef were imported in the first quarter – an increase of 5,154 tonnes (58%) on the same period in 2022. The United Kingdom (12,920 tonnes), Spain (511 tonnes), Netherlands (150 tonnes), Denmark (147 tonnes) ...

12 Jun 2023

JBS begins work on Spain’s first cultivated meat plant

Brazilian meatpacker JBS said on Tuesday that its subsidiary BioTech Foods started construction in Spain on its first commercial-scale plant to produce lab-grown meat, which is set to be completed by mid-2024. The factory, which JBS says will be the world’s largest lab-grown...

12 Jun 2023

NFU Scotland calls for UK Government to extend supply chain investigations to poultry meat

The UK Government should extend its examination of food supply chains to poultry meat as the threat of empty shelves increases. That was the message from NFU Scotland’s Poultry Working Group as it highlighted the ‘severe lack of profitability’ in producing chicke...

12 Jun 2023

Hungary enforces mandatory discounts on poultry

From 1 June, Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orban, has imposed mandatory price cuts on 20 basic food items, including poultry, by large groceries in a move called to tackle food inflation in the country in addition to food price caps. Under the plan, big food retailers are o...

09 Jun 2023

Spring lamb prices off to a strong start

Average prices for new season lambs (NSL) are in a strong position as supply switches away from old season, with throughputs falling short compared to a year ago. The deadweight GB NSL Standard Quality Quotation (SQQ) averaged 709p/kg in the week ending 3 June, up 24p compared...

09 Jun 2023

Farmison & Co: Farmers out of pocket after collapse

Farmers and unsecured creditors owed a total of more than £7m following the collapse of an online butcher have been told they will not get money back despite a rescue deal. An administrator report revealed trade suppliers and about a dozen rare breed meat farmers were left ou...

09 Jun 2023

Vietnam ASF vaccine close to approval

Global and US veterinary officials have reported that African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccines being tested in Vietnam are close to approval. ASF has disrupted the global pork market for years and a vaccination would be a major breakthrough in tackling the deadly disease. After deca...

09 Jun 2023

‘Game-changing’ method to ensure food authenticity

A ‘game-changing’ method to ensure the authenticity of food has achieved 100% accuracy in a study, with potential for application across the food supply chain. The study found that fusing the data from two different scientific testing methods and coupling that with...

09 Jun 2023

EU pork production contracts further

EU pork production has contracted further during the first quarter of 2023, while prices continued to rise. “Pig producers in the EU continue to face multiple challenges impacting on the market. High input costs continue to prevail, impacting on production, while the threa...

09 Jun 2023

‘Rural fightback’ as another council set to join Cornwall in resisting meat and dairy ban

Cornwall Council is leading the way in the fight to keep meat on the menu and ensure farmers get backing from local authorities. Campaigners have heralded the decision by the West Country body to proactively source local, seasonal produce – explicitly including meat an...

09 Jun 2023

Inquiry launches into post-Brexit international trade deals

A cross-party parliamentary inquiry begins today on the impact the government’s post-Brexit trade policy has had, and will have, on food producers, consumers and businesses in the UK. Since leaving the EU, the government has signed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Austr...

09 Jun 2023

Plant-based meat firm calls in administrators

A food manufacturer that produces 55,000 tonnes of plant-based meat alternatives a year from a huge facility in Lincolnshire called in administrators late last month. Plant and Bean, which also has a production site in Bubwith, North Yorkshire, created around 500 jobs when it ...

09 Jun 2023

Lidl next to vac pack mince despite Sainsbury’s ‘mush’ complaints

Lidl is the latest supermarket to announce it will start vac-packing mince to use less plastic and double its shelf life. Sainsbury’s hit the headlines when it made the same switch, and some shoppers complained it turned the meat to mush. An anti-plastic group criticise...

09 Jun 2023

Uruguay meat exports down

Uruguay’s revenue from meat exports dropped 25% year-on-year, some US$ 350 million less, according to data released this week by the National Meat Institute (INAC). In the first five months of 2023, US$ 1.055 billion worth of bovine meat was exported, clearly below the US$ 1...

09 Jun 2023

Defra urged to move quickly on small abattoir support

Industry bodies have welcomed an announcement from Government of a new fund for smaller abattoirs to improve productivity and enhance animal welfare. But Government must now move quickly if it wants to keep small abattoirs open. John Mettrick, National Craft Butchers legislati...

02 Jun 2023

Cargill to sell China poultry unit to private equity firm

BEIJING, May 31 (Reuters) – U.S. agribusiness giant Cargill said it is selling its poultry business in China to private equity firm DCP Capital, exiting a Chinese meat market that has become increasingly challenging, especially for foreign players. The sale of the unit k...

02 Jun 2023

AHDB launches UK red meat exports push

AHDB will unveil plans to encourage more UK agri-food businesses to export at its annual Export Conference at Butchers’ Hall on June 22. Included in the strategy are plans to utilise support from enhanced AHDB services for businesses to develop export potential, such as be...

01 Jun 2023

Momentum builds to restart Caithness abattoir

A group of farmers and butchers have set up a group with plans to reopen the Caithness abattoir in Keiss, north of Wick, to build a ‘meat hub’. The North Coast Abattoir Group is planning to refurbish the former premises of Caithness Beef and Lamb, with an estimated cost of...

01 Jun 2023

Vion to close beef plant in Germany

Netherlands-based Vion Food Group is planning to close its beef plant in Bad Bramstedt, Germany, in July. Approximately 250 employees who work at its northernmost German beef slaughterhouse are at risk of losing their jobs, although Vion said it will look at the possible tr...

31 May 2023

Defra’s pledge to end live exports effectively scrapped as bill dropped

The government’s pledge to end live exports – which was a key part of its Action Plan for Animal Welfare – has been effectively scrapped. Farming minister Mark Spencer has announced in the House of Commons that the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals Bill) will be dropped. ...

25 May 2023

UK free-trade deal with Australia and New Zealand looms

UK free-trade deals with Australia and New Zealand are due to come into force next week, on 31 May. Sections of the UK beef industry have been hugely nervous about the prospect of more Australian beef further pressuring a suckler cow herd that has shrunk 16.5% since 2005 to 1....

25 May 2023

Beef prices stay at record highs

Finished beef prices at abattoirs and auction marts remain exceptionally high, with tight supply and good retail demand. Further support for sales of steaks and burgers at retail for barbecues is projected with a period of warmer weather forecast. GB deadweight steers were up ...

25 May 2023

Butcher crowned first haggis world champion

A butcher from North Lanarkshire has won what organisers say is the first Haggis World Championship. Laura Black perfected a 40-year-old family recipe to take top prize at the event in Perth on Sunday. The owner of Coopers of Bellshill described the win as a career highlight. ...

25 May 2023

Abattoir sector vulnerable to collapse

Soil Association said abattoirs are an essential cornerstone of local supply chains but they are struggling due to a lack of government funding. Closures of abattoirs in the UK are creating a ‘fragile system that is vulnerable to collapse’, according to a report from t...

25 May 2023

New season lamb prices make strong start

New season lamb prices have made a firm start to the season as lambs have been slow to reach markets and abattoirs, according to Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). At Scottish marts, prices for new season lambs have been making around 350p/kg lwt in mid-May, up about 10% on the year...

25 May 2023

Redundancies announced at Morrisons Woodhead abattoir

Staff at a Morrisons owned site in Colne have been told they are at risk of losing their jobs. Morrisons Woodhead Bros made the announcement on Tuesday (May 23) morning, according to staff. Morrisons confirmed there would only a ‘small number of redundancies’ but did not s...

25 May 2023

Birmingham abattoir fined for causing distress to animals

An abattoir has been fined £10,000 for causing avoidable suffering to animals in the lead up to their slaughter. Leansale Limited, in Stratford Road, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to offences committed between November 2021 and January 2022. The company, which also operates as R...

25 May 2023

‘Disappointing’: British Wool announces prices

British Wool has confirmed the prices being paid to farmers for last year’s wool clip, with the co-op saying they will be ‘disappointing’ to its members. Core grades will achieve 30p per kg, the Blackface wool 20p/kg, Welsh Mountain wool 10p/kg and 8p/kg for Swal...

25 May 2023

High-path bird flu confirmed on poultry farm in North Lincs

Highly pathogenic bird flu has been confirmed on a poultry farm in North Lincolnshire, just days after two workers tested positive for the virus. Avian influenza H5N1 was confirmed on Wednesday evening (24 May) at a farm near Scunthorpe, Defra said. A 3km protection zone and a...

25 May 2023

Food inflation continues to grow in double digits

Like-for-like grocery price inflation was 17.2% for the four weeks to 14 May 2023, according to the latest data from Kantar. Take-home grocery sales rose by 10.8% over the month in comparison with the same period last year. Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insigh...

25 May 2023

Avara Foods proposes closure of its Abergavenny site

Avara Foods has announcing it is planning to shut its Abergavenny factory in autumn 2023, which would result in the loss of all jobs at the site. The Abergavenny facility was part of the acquisition of turkey processor Cranberry Foods by Faccenda, in 2012. It is a ‘cut and...

18 May 2023

Beyond Meat investors are beyond mad

Beyond Meat — a brand that was once the face of plant-based protein — appears to be losing its stature. On top of two lawsuits in 2022, the company is now facing a class action lawsuit from its own investors. They are claiming that they were misled by the company’s m...

18 May 2023

Role of bird flu vaccination explored

The International Egg Commission (IEC) has released a new report that considers the essential components required for a vaccination against bird flu to be successful. The report explains the advantages of vaccination against the disease, as well as ways to overcome potential b...

18 May 2023

UK farming sector impacted by abattoir closures

A survey, conducted by the Sustainable Food Trust, of more than 1,300 farming and food businesses in the UK has revealed that local abattoirs are an essential service and two-thirds of respondents feel the lack of availability of abattoirs are impacting future business plan...

18 May 2023

Pilgrim’s proposes closure of Ashton abattoir

Pilgrim’s UK has announced proposals to close its abattoir and butchery facility in Ashton, Greater Manchester, with more than 500 members of staff potentially facing redundancy. The proposals form part of the company’s ongoing footprint review and as the business, which ...

17 May 2023

Council to vote on motion to support local farmers in face of meat bans

Rural campaigners are backing a motion which will see Cornwall Council support local farmers in the face of meat bans elsewhere in the UK. The motion, if passed, would see the authority commit to ensuring that all food provided at council meetings, including meat, dairy and ve...

15 May 2023

Bord Bia Embarks On Trade Mission To China

Bord Bia will host 14 Irish exporters on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s trade mission to China this week. It is the first trade mission since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, following three years of restricted borders. The focus of the trade mission...

12 May 2023

JBS swings to loss, citing grain costs and meat oversupply

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – JBS SA, the world’s largest meat company, on Thursday reported a net loss of 1.45 billion reais ($290.2 million) for the first quarter, blaming high grain prices and an over-supplied meat market for the worse-than-expected results. Analysts had expect...

12 May 2023

Teys, Cargill Reportedly on Track to Offload Australian Abattoir Business

Sources are reporting that advisers for the Teys family and Cargill are putting the finishing touches on a deal to sell their Australian abattoir business to Brazil’s Minerva S.A. (BOVESPA:BEEF3). It is one of the largest abattoir operations in the country and the asking...

12 May 2023

Animal rights group urged to hand over Pinchbeck abattoir footage to FSA

An industry body is calling on an animal rights group to hand over secret footage recorded at a Pinchbeck abattoir to the Food Standards Agency. The British Meat Processors Agency (BMPA) says the Animal Justice Project footage which was taken at Woodhead Brothers to be hande...

11 May 2023

Breed profile of the GB cattle herd

The choice of breeds involved in beef production vary for many reasons. Supply chain requirements, meat quality traits, on-farm performance and livestock husbandry all play a part. Consequentially, cattle breed populations change regularly, with trends visible over time. Data ...

11 May 2023

GB pig prices for week ending May 5, 2023 – SPP continues to rise

Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain. The EU-spec SPP increased by a further 0.46p to reach 219.53p/kg during the week ended May 5, as tight supplies and strong EU prices continue to drive the pig price up. The latest increase follows slightly bigger incre...

11 May 2023

Lab-grown meat a potential climate killer, U.S. researchers warn

Meat produced from cells grown in a lab could be 25 times worse for the climate than the process used to produce regular beef, unless scientists find a way to alter energy-intensive production steps, according to an analysis by U.S. researchers. Laboratory production of meat h...

11 May 2023

NZ: Concern over dive in sheep meat exports to the UK

NZ Meat exports to the UK have taken a dive, with the amount of sheep meat being sent to the UK in February the lowest for that month in more than 35 years. New figures from the Meat Industry Association show overall exports dropped almost a fifth compared to last year. Sheep-...

11 May 2023

NZ: Red meat exports fall, China numbers recovering

The latest red meat export figures paint a grim picture for New Zealand farm-gate profits. Exports in March dropped four percent to $1.1 billion, from this time last year. Values of sheep meat and beef have come down 8 percent off last year’s high levels with the industr...

11 May 2023

South Africa: ‘Broken’ animal disease controls reach crisis levels

A government-appointed task team has warned in a damning report that the country’s veterinary and animal disease controls are “broken” and in a state of “crisis” that threatens the viability of SA’s livestock industry. The shocking final rep...

11 May 2023

Aston University labelled “leading light” in cultured meat research

Aston University has been named one of the UK’s “leading lights” in cultured meat research. With cultured meat being a hot topic in the food industry of late, Aston University has been labelled a “leading light” in lab-grown meat research. According to the University...

11 May 2023

USA: Supreme Court rejects challenge to California pork industry restriction

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a challenge to a California animal welfare law that would ban the sale of pork derived from breeding pigs housed in confined spaces. In a 5-4 ruling in which the court was divided along non-ideological lines, the majority...

11 May 2023

Innovation key to meat sector – AIMS conference

Marketing and innovation in the meat sector will be more important than ever as competition and sustainability demands weigh heavy. How to stay ahead of the curve was a key theme among speakers at the Association of Independent Meat Wholesalers (AIMS) annual conference, held i...

11 May 2023

Pilgrim’s announces new appointments after second high-profile exit

Leading pork processor and producer Pilgrim’s UK has announced a new structure for its agricultural operations, following a second high-profile departure in recent weeks. Mark Haighton, pig supply chain director, is set to follow former UK agricultural director Barney Kay ou...

11 May 2023

China’s ban on Canadian beef still in place 17 months later

CALGARY – A Chinese ban on Canadian beef that industry officials expected would be short-lived remains in place 17 months later, and industry representatives say they remain in the dark about the reasons. China has been blocking beef shipments from Canadian processing pl...

11 May 2023

Defra urged to restore pre-pandemic UK pork exports to China

A cross-party group of MPs has urged Defra to set out actions to help UK pork exporters regain access to the important Chinese market. The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee has highlighted that some of the UK’s largest abattoirs are still unable to exp...

10 May 2023

Livestock auction data being given away too freely

Auction marts have been giving away the data they accumulate too freely and the situation has to change. That was the message from Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers of Scotland (IAAS) chief executive Neil Wilson, speaking ahead of Lawrie and Symington’s last sale at Fo...

10 May 2023

Farmison & Co recommences phased re-opening

Online butcher Farmison & Co has begun a phased re-opening of operations following its acquisition by a consortium led by ex-Asda chief executive Andy Clarke. The company has announced that a selection of heritage breeds has gone on sale on its website with more ranges due...

10 May 2023

UK’s new Brexit plan: ‘Not for EU’ stickers

The European Commission and the UK government has agreed on requirements for the labelling on agri-food retail goods. The label will be placed at different levels starting from individual, box, shelf signs and posters Milk, butter, meat, fish and vegetables will start carrying...

10 May 2023

PGI Welsh Lamb and Beef Head to Tuttofood Expo

PGI Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh Beef’s 2023 export drive moves onto key marketplace Italy this week for the prestigious Tuttofood exhibition in Milan. The trade show is a strategic target for Hybu Cig Cymru-Meat Promotion Wales (HCC)’s export experts because Italy continues t...

06 May 2023

Kenya eyes meat exports on high global demand

With the rapid growth of the human population across the globe, the demand for meat and value-added products is expected to increase. The tremendous growth, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Co-operatives, offers Kenya a platform to explore mor...

05 May 2023

Latest Pig Prices

AHDB

04 May 2023

Australian red meat exports keep up the pace

Key points: Red meat exports totalled 126,445 tonnes in April, 17% above year-ago levels. Beef exports were 17% higher than April last year at 72,064 tonnes. Lamb exports rose 2% to 22,222 tonnes, while mutton exports rose 48% to 15,772 tonnes. Australia’s red meat exports m...

04 May 2023

Sausage maker scraps vegan bangers

A British sausage maker has axed almost its entire range of vegan products after admitting that the market was over-hyped. Heck, which is based in Yorkshire, said it had cut the size of its vegan range from around 15 products down to just two as shoppers swerved meat-free ...

04 May 2023

UK broadens Brazilian chicken import quota

The United Kingdom increased the import quota of poultry meat from Brazil by 20.7%, from 79,900 to 96.500 tonnes per year, according to the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA). The entity calculates an increase in revenue to Brazilian exporters by at least US$60 mil...

04 May 2023

AUS/NZ-UK free trade agreement comes into force 31st May

British businesses and consumers will soon be able to reap the benefits of the UK’s first trade deals negotiated from scratch since leaving the European Union with the agreements set to come into force this month. Expected to increase bilateral trade with Australia by 53% an...

04 May 2023

Export prospects on the horizon for UK lamb

British lamb and dairy produce could be in pole position for exportation to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) following strong population growth and limited domestic production. Latest analysis by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) in its Prospects...

03 May 2023

Defra rolls out Romania-specific ASF campaign

The government has followed advice from the pig sector to introduce an African swine fever (ASF) campaign targeting the UK’s Romanian community. Defra is working with a specialist marketing agency on communications with the Romanian community, such as Romanian language p...

03 May 2023

UN study throws out vegan health claims

Meat, eggs and dairy provide crucial sources of much-needed nutrients that should be enjoyed as part of a healthy balanced diet, according to a report from United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The study, which has been described as the ‘most comprehensi...

03 May 2023

Eat venison to help curb growing deer population, ministers urge

Government ministers have urged the public to eat venison to help curb the growing deer population as they launched a new quality assurance scheme. The programme will aim to protect British woodlands by boosting consumer confidence in the meat through the introduction of a...

02 May 2023

EFRA chair seeks answers from Coffey over China pork access

Sir Robert Goodwill, chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee, has written to Defra Secretary Thérèse Coffey to seek answers on what steps she is taking to help UK pork exporters regain access to the Chinese market. UK pork exports licences to China ...

02 May 2023

Australia reports strong outlook for beef exports

Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) has highlighted a ‘strong outlook’ for Australian beef exports, as its main competitors face major challenges. Exports have started to rise as the country rebuilds its herd, with Australian exports so far in 2023 at 25 per cent above leve...

02 May 2023

UK pig price continues to new record as supplies remain tight

The UK pig price has continued to rise to a new record high as supplies remain tight, but prices in Europe have started to stall. The EU-spec SPP increased by a further 0.88p to reach new high of 218.22p/kg during the week ended 22 April, follows the previous week’s 0.6p ris...

02 May 2023

China ramps up pig production with more large farms

For more than 30 years, China has been the largest meat producer in the world and its output continues to grow, with total meat production in 2022 totalling 92.3m tonnes. Of this, pig meat made up 55.4m tonnes – with Chinese citizens consuming about 40kg of pork each annuall...

01 May 2023

RaboBank: weak economic growth affecting global pork consumption

The latest Rabobank quarterly pork report raises concerns for the global pork industry. Despite indications that inflation is slowing, the impact is likely to be felt throughout the industry in 2023. Pork demand is holding its position, as demand is less sensitive to economic ...

01 May 2023

Kepak discontinues slow-cooked product, cuts jobs

Ireland-based meat processor Kepak has enacted the discontinuation of one of its products, leading to job losses at its plant in Cork. Kepak said in a statement it decided earlier this year to discontinue its supply of “slow-cooked product into the UK” as part of a “comp...

01 May 2023

EU short-term poultry outlook driven by Ukraine/Russia conflict

EU poultry meat imports and exports continue to be affected by the Ukraine/Russia war, but there are signs that production could recover later this year. The suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports to the EU has helped alleviate the war-induced economic pre...

01 May 2023

Last live export ship sails from New Zealand

The last ship containing live animals for export by sea has sailed from New Zealand. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor confirmed the last ship departed from New Plymouth on April 20 as New Zealand meets its target to end live exports by the end of April 2023, after a two-...

01 May 2023

Salmon leads Irish seafood revival

According to the latest GDP figure from the Republic’s seafood support body Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the seafood sector’s contribution totalled €1.3bn (just over £1.15 bn) in 2022. BIM said increased consumption higher prices and the reopening of the foodservice secto...

30 Apr 2023

Meat crucial for human health, scientists warn

Meat is crucial for human health, scientists have warned, as they called for an end to the “zealotry” pushing vegetarian and vegan diets. Dozens of experts were asked to look into the science behind claims that meat eating causes disease and is harmful for the planet in ...

29 Apr 2023

AHDB campaign encourages consumers to ‘Love BBQ’

From 1 May to 4 June, the campaign will encourage consumers to fire up their grills and try delicious and easy barbecue pork, beef, and lamb recipes. With the King’s Coronation celebration and the Bank Holiday weekends taking place next month, friends and families are expect...

29 Apr 2023

Lamb prices supported into Easter

Liveweight In-line with seasonal trends, the average GB liveweight old season lamb (OSL) price saw month-on-month (MOM) increases, averaging 257.5p/kg, with prices in March up 9.9% (23.2p/kg) on those for February. However, this was 6.0p/kg (-2.3%) lower than the same month ...

27 Apr 2023

Brazil examining ways to better trace cattle origins

April 27 (Reuters) – The Brazilian government is looking at ways to perform more effectively the challenging task of tracing the origins of cattle raised for slaughtering, Carlos Favaro, agriculture minister of the world’s biggest beef exporter, said on Thursday. I...

25 Apr 2023

Exports of Irish beef to China resume after 2020 ban lifted

Exports of Irish beef have resumed to China, with the first shipment from Ireland to Shanghai arriving yesterday. The trade has resumed after a ban on Irish beef was lifted in January. The ban had been imposed following the discovery of a single case of atypical BSE in this c...

25 Apr 2023

EU trade agenda causing ‘extreme pressure’ on beef and sheep

The beef and sheep sectors in the EU are “under extreme pressure” due to the market access being given to other countries, according to an EU farm organisation. The fragility of the beef and sheep sectors and their importance for the vibrancy of EU’s rural areas should n...

25 Apr 2023

Great British Beef Week 23rd to 30th April

A weeklong initiative celebrating British beef has returned today on St George’s Day, with the ‘naturally delicious’ meat reinvented with infusions from around the world. Great British Beef Week (GBBW), taking place from 23 to 30 April, returns for a twelfth ...

25 Apr 2023

New breeding values for abattoir traits revealed

The AHDB is to make new breeding values for abattoir traits an integral part of the National Terminal Sire Evaluation through its Signet Breeding Services, following analysis of abattoir data. The National Terminal Sire Evaluation is a multi-breed genetic analysis, used by ram...

25 Apr 2023

Brazil meat exports to make significant gains – USDA

The outlook for global meat trade in 2023 is mixed, according to the most recent global outlook report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Only chicken meat is forecast to make gains while beef is virtually unchanged and pork falls lower for the second ye...

24 Apr 2023

NPA shocked at Government revelations on ASF import control deficiencies

The NPA has expressed shock and concern, after the Government admitted that insufficient import controls have resulted in meat being on sale in UK retailers that poses a ‘serious and immediate’ African swine fever (ASF) disease threat to the UK pig herd. The revelation ...

24 Apr 2023

Ongoing tight supplies set to support pig price for ‘foreseeable future’

The ongoing tight supplies of UK pigs is likely to support the pig price for the foreseeable future, according to AHDB. Defra’s latest monthly production figures show that the UK produced 83,000 tonnes of pig meat in March, a decline of 18% (-18,600 tonnes) on the record hi...

24 Apr 2023

Sarval processing plant extension could be rejected

A plan to extend a Nottinghamshire meat processing plant is set to be rejected over greenbelt and flooding fears. Sarval, which operates an animal processing plant on Stoke Lane, Stoke Bardolph, had proposed to add a new storage building to its site which makes pet food ing...

24 Apr 2023

Ex-Asda boss stages Farmison & Co rescue deal

A former chief executive of Asda has sealed a rescue deal for an online butcher which counts Fortnum & Mason and Harrods among its customers. Sky News understands that Andy Clarke, who left the supermarket giant in 2016, has agreed a transaction to buy Farmison & Co, w...

22 Apr 2023

Danish Crown closes abattoir, lays off 800 employees

Danish Crown has announced the proposed closure of an abattoir in the northern Jutland region of Denmark, risking 800 jobs. The company said that the proposed closure is due to a 10% decline in the number of pigs being supplied for slaughter in Denmark over the past year. D...

21 Apr 2023

EU bans food products linked with deforestation

The EU has banned products linked to deforestation in a move that could impact meat producers and cocoa and palm-oil suppliers. However, it has faced some pushback from palm-oil producing countries. Malaysia said it was disappointed with the move, describing it as “woefully-...

21 Apr 2023

Hogg and cull cow prices soar

A range of factors including rising beef demand, tumbling milk prices and religious festivals have seen hogget and cull cow prices soar. The convergence of Easter and Ramadan has provided a boost for the hogget trade, with auctioneers reporting prices were ‘as dear’ as the...

21 Apr 2023

Defra figures confirm big decline in March UK pig slaughterings

UK clean pig slaughterings during March were 15% lower than a year ago, confirming the severe tightening of supplies across the country. The latest Defra monthly livestock slaughtering statistics show a March clean pig kill of 899,000, compared with March 2022 figure of 1,059,...

21 Apr 2023

GB pig prices for week ending April 15, 2023

Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain. The SPP has risen to another new high, although by a smaller margin than in recent weeks. The EU-spec SPP increased by a further 0.6p to reach 217.35p/kg during the week ended April 15, as tight supplies and strong EU ...

16 Apr 2023

GB prime cattle prices continued to exceed historic levels in March

GB prime cattle prices continued to exceed historic levels in March, with the all-prime deadweight average measure moving up to an average of 485.5p/kg. This was up 16% versus the same period last year, according to AHDB analysis, with the week ending 1 April seeing prices rea...

16 Apr 2023

Prize Ryeland show sheep stolen in suspected meat heist

A dozen prize pedigree show sheep have been stolen, probably to be sold as meat, a breeder says. One animal was also left tied up in the field during the “callous” theft from a field in the Droitwich area. The flock’s owner, Jack Deakins, 23, discovered his r...

15 Apr 2023

FSA crime hotline going unanswered after meat scandal

A key hotline for staff at food processing firms to report food crime went unanswered during working hours just weeks after claims of widespread rule breaches at a large meat processor. The Food Crime Confidential line, run by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), is for whistleblo...

14 Apr 2023

Administrators of Loscoe Chilled Foods vow to work with authorities

Administrators overseeing the closure of a Derbyshire firm suspected to be at the centre of a national food fraud investigation have said they will cooperate with authorities. Loscoe Chilled Foods Limited, based in Heanor, went into administration in late March and laid off...

12 Apr 2023

‘Intense’ talks to save Farmison & Co after buyout collapses

Intense negotiations are taking place over the bank holiday weekend to save one of Ripon’s largest employers . Farmison, an online butcher based in Ripon, closed on Thursday with most of the 75-strong workforce being made redundant. It is just a year since Scottish investor ...

12 Apr 2023

Scotbeef announce potential redundancies at Wolverhampton site

54 jobs at the Wolverhampton meat processor are understood to be at risk of layoffs, more than half of the 98 strong workforce currently employed at the site. A worker employed at the factory told the food company that in a letter received last week, he was told his job was at...

12 Apr 2023

New executive manager for SAMW

The Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Walker as its new Executive Manager. Mr Walker, who was previously the chief executive of NFU Scotland, takes on the role formerly held by Martin Morgan who sadly passed away in...

12 Apr 2023

Spain eyes Philippines pork market

Spain is looking to penetrate the Philippines‘ retail market for its pork exports as demand is seen to grow further on the back of higher consumption and an improving economy. Interporc, the Spanish association of the pork sector, is looking to tap the retail market as it ma...

11 Apr 2023

New pig sector reform will provide ‘fairness and certainty’, Defra says

Defra has today announced a new commitment to take action to repair what is widely seen as a broken pork supply chain, amid a warning that pig producer confidence remains at an all time low. New regulation for written contracts will provide ‘fairness and certainty’...

11 Apr 2023

New plan seeks to boost UK borders from animal disease threat

A new plan seeks to better protect UK animal health and agricultural productivity by strengthening borders against biosecurity threats and illegal imports. The draft Border Target Operating Model, launched by the government, sets out a plan to realise the ambition of creating ...

11 Apr 2023

Defra to introduce new regulation to govern pig contracts

Defra has confirmed that it will introduce new regulation to govern pig contracts, as it releases a summary of the responses to the consultation on contractual practice in the UK pig sector and sets out its next steps. The Department has also stated that it will share its find...

11 Apr 2023

GB pig prices for week ending April 1, 2023

Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain. The EU-spec SPP increased by a further 1.54p to reach 215.49p/kg in the week ended April 1, as tight supplies and strong EU prices continue to drive the pig price to new highs. The latest increase follows the previous ...

11 Apr 2023

Edinburgh University students vote down plant-based motion

Students at Edinburgh University have voted overwhelmingly against a motion which, if successful, could have meant an end to meat and dairy products being served at any of the university’s catering outlets. It is the second time in recent years that such a vote has been he...

11 Apr 2023

Forfar livestock mart to close

The last sale will be on May 4 with the premises up for sale. Forfar looks destined to become yet another market town without a livestock market at it is heart. On Wednesday evening the owners of the Forfar Mart, Lanark- based Lawrie and Symington announced that the company in...

11 Apr 2023

Pig prices continue to hit new highs

Increasingly tighter supplies are driving pig prices to new record highs, but European price progression has slowed. The EU-spec standard pig price (SPP) rose by 1.41p/kg to reach 213.94p/kg in the week ended March 25, with tight supplies and strong EU prices pushing prices hi...

10 Apr 2023

Is the Food Standards Agency and its National Food Crime Unit fit for purpose?

As the future of the FSA is openly questioned due to its handling of the shocking meat fraud case, CEO Emily Miles has defended the actions it’s taken An “industrial-scale” meat fraud scandal has rocked the industry, with fresh claims surrounding food safety breaches so ...

07 Apr 2023

Irish processors urged to increase pig price above EU average

Irish processors are being urged to increase the price paid to pig farmers for next week’s pigs. Irish Farmers’ Association national pig committee chairman Roy Gallie said that the current EU average pig price is rising and the Irish price must move further to retu...

06 Apr 2023

UK Government publishes draft proposals for new border controls

The UK Government, in collaboration with the Scottish and Welsh Governments, has published its plan to strengthen our borders against biosecurity threats and illegal imports. Draft Border Target Operating Model sets out proposals for a new world-class border system to provide ...

06 Apr 2023

FSA launches consultation on developing a modernised food hygiene delivery model

The FSA has today (03 April) launched a 12-week consultation seeking views from local authorities and district councils, food business operators, third-party assurance organisations for food safety, professional awarding bodies for environmental health and trading standards, t...

05 Apr 2023

Cheale Meats’ Essex slaughtering operation moves to C&K in Suffolk

Cheale Meats’ cull sow and pig operation has transferred from its abattoir in Brentwood, Essex, to C&K Meats’ plant in Eye, Suffolk. The last kill date at Brentwood was Friday, March 31. Cheales has, for many years, been the primary outlet for cull sows in the UK, with...

03 Apr 2023

The Parson’s Nose and other unfashionable cuts of meat

With the costs of living and running a business still going up, let us introduce you to some of the more unfashionable cuts of meat that can be bought cheaply and, when handled right, will still create a delicious dish.

02 Apr 2023

Argentina restarts poultry exports

BUENOS AIRES, March 31 (Reuters) – Argentina has resumed poultry shipments weeks after imposing an export ban after bird flu was detected in the local industry, state safety regulator Senasa said on Friday, providing access to key export markets for the major agricultura...

31 Mar 2023

AIMS calls for Government to place FSA into special measures

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has called for the Food Standards Agency to be placed into ’special measures’ after reports of food fraud at a processor supplying major supermarkets. During questions to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural...

29 Mar 2023

Wholesale meat: should I buy online or offline?

What do you prioritise when finding a wholesale meat supplier? The main things to consider when deciding whether to buy wholesale meat online or not are: convenience, cost, quality & freshness, variety and customer service.

29 Mar 2023

Italy wages war on lab-grown food in drive to protect tradition

ROME, March 28 (Reuters) – Italy’s government on Tuesday approved a bill banning the use of laboratory-produced food and animal feed as it aims to safeguard the country’s agri-food heritage, its agriculture minister told a news conference after a Cabinet meet...

29 Mar 2023

Defra’s new welfare labelling plans could add costs and confuse consumer – NPA PIG says

Producer and allied industry members of the NPA’s Pig Industry Group (PIG) have pointed out the flaws in Defra’s plans to introduce mandatory animal welfare labelling in the UK. The Department is expected to issue a formal consultation on the proposals at some point in the...

29 Mar 2023

Oxford City council faces furious backlash after meat ban

A city council has faced a furious backlash for banning meat from its meeting and events and going fully vegan. Butchers have accused Oxford City Council of a ‘kneejerk reaction’ after it voted unanimously to completely ban meat from all its internal events –...

29 Mar 2023

Sheep Meat Imports Jumped 17 Percent in 2022

The total volume of fresh and frozen sheep meat imported into the United Kingdom in the past twelve months saw a substantial rise of 17 per cent to 63,800 tonnes, the latest Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) Market Bulletin reports. Volumes received from the larges...

29 Mar 2023

Firm at centre of meat fraud investigation edges towards administration

A food company at the centre of a meat fraud investigation has edged towards appointing administrators. Three people were arrested at Loscoe Chilled Foods last week after police and Trading Standards officials turned up at the firm, which is being investigated over allegedly s...

28 Mar 2023

China’s pork industry faces another ASF outbreak

A surge in African swine fever infections in China is set to reduce hog output later this year, farm managers and analysts said this week, pushing up prices in the world’s top pork consumer as demand recovers. The hard to combat disease has plagued China for years, with an i...

27 Mar 2023

City Council bans meat at catered events

In what has been called ‘a kick in the teeth for local farmers’, Oxford City Council has joined Cambridge, Exeter and Norwich councils in providing only plant-based food at its catered events. At a full Oxford City Council meeting on March 20, the council unanimously vote...

27 Mar 2023

Big reduction in UK pig slaughtering/production in February

UK clean pig slaughterings and pigmeat production were significantly down in February, as the long-anticipated pig shortages finally became fully apparent. Clean pig slaughtering was down 17% on February 2022 at 762,000 head, following the surprisingly small 1% year-on-year di...

24 Mar 2023

Three arrested in fake British beef investigation

Three people have been arrested as part of an investigation into a food factory allegedly supplying beef wrongly labelled as British to a supermarket. The arrests were made at Loscoe Chilled Foods, near Heanor, on Wednesday, the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) said. An investi...

20 Mar 2023

Plant-based ‘chicken nuggets’ blocked from entering Australia

Impossible Foods has been blocked from selling its plant-based “chicken nuggets” in Australia after they were found to contain a banned substance. A random inspection by Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry staff in January detected calcium pantothenate in the...

20 Mar 2023

Danish Crown acquires Denmark factory from ‘bankrupt’ Skare meat packers

Danish Crown has bought a factory site from Skare meat packers in an “unexpected opportunity” to expand its domestic footprint. The deal, for an undisclosed sum, includes a 120,000sq metre site in Vejen in southern Denmark, with 14,000sq meters of buildings. The ownership...

20 Mar 2023

Tonnies to cut 140 jobs

Tönnies has announced the closure of one of its export packaging departments for Asia, which is set to affect around 140 employees. The department is at a Tönnies plant in Weißenfels, Saxony-Anhalt has been part of Tönnies group since 1990. The site is Tönnies’ second-l...

17 Mar 2023

George Adams closing shop to focus on manufacturing

The owners of a well-established butchers has announced it will be closing its shop later this month. George Adams of Spalding will now be focussing solely on the manufacturing of artistan pies and pastry products after seeing a boost in that side of the business. Owners Steve...

15 Mar 2023

China’s pig farms battle new surge in ASF

BEIJING, March 15 (Reuters) – A surge in African swine fever infections in China is set to reduce hog output later this year, farm managers and analysts said this week, pushing up prices in the world’s top pork consumer as demand recovers. The incurable disease has...

12 Mar 2023

FSA to stop discounted meat enforcement charges

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is going ahead with plans to stop discounted enforcement prices in the meat industry despite strong opposition during a comment period. The consultation covered the proposal to remove discounts on charges for enforcement activity so non-complian...

12 Mar 2023

Brockleby’s steak, ale and stilton pie crowned 2023 winner at British Pie Awards

When a vegan and gluten-free pie triumphed at the British Pie Awards in 2022, traditionalist eyebrows were raised. But for many, order has now been restored after a steak, ale and stilton pie was crowned the 2023 winner. Ian Jalland, owner and managing director of Brockleby’...

11 Mar 2023

Tebay apprentice butcher named best in Great Britain

Emily Jackson, an apprentice butcher at Tebay Services, has been named Best Apprentice Butcher in Great Britain at the Institute of Meat at the Worshipful Company of Butchers annual prize-giving, held at the Butchers’ Hall in London. Emily competed for the title against appr...

11 Mar 2023

Booths is retailer embroiled in fake British beef case

It has emerged that the supermarket Booths is the retailer which has been caught up in a case of potential food fraud involving beef falsely labelled as British by a supplier. The National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) is investigating how the chain was supplied with products labelle...

10 Mar 2023

EU warms to unlocking stalled Mercosur trade deal

STOCKHOLM, March 10 (Reuters) – The European Union is warming to the idea of concluding a major free trade deal with Brazil and its Mercosur neighbours, with “decisive progress” possible by July, a senior EU official and Sweden’s trade minister said on ...

10 Mar 2023

Dunbia acquires H R Jasper and Son

Dunbia, part of the Dawn Meats Group, has expanded its West Country presence with the acquisition of a lamb processing site in Cornwall. The H R Jasper and Son lamb abattoir in Launceston will further enhance Dunbia’s position as Britain’s leading lamb and beef processor. ...

10 Mar 2023

Food fraud probe into beef falsely labelled as British

The National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) is investigating potential food fraud involving pre-packed sliced beef which was labelled as British but came from South America and Europe. A supermarket in the UK has been forced to remove products from its shelves. The unit has declined t...

09 Mar 2023

2 Sisters to close its Anglesey factory this month

The 2 Sisters Food Group will close its poultry processing plant in Llangefni on Friday, March 31. As of April 1, it is estimated that only some 20-25 of the current 730 strong workforce will be employed on-site. A joint statement from the 2 Sisters Food Group and Unite said:...

09 Mar 2023

Prime cattle prices set new record high levels at Scottish abattoirs

Prime cattle prices continued to set new record high levels at Scottish abattoirs last month, according to the latest market commentary from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). Latest figures from the industry body reveal R4L steers reached 489.2p/kg dwt in the week ending 25 Februar...

09 Mar 2023

Mexico opens market to Brazilian beef for first time

Mexico will open its doors to beef imports from Brazil for the first time as it looks to “diversify” its food chain in the face of rising inflation. Santa Catarina, a south Brazilian state, will be able to export fresh, chilled or frozen bone-in meat to Mexico. A further 1...

08 Mar 2023

Ireland: Processors ‘losing grip on beef prices’ – IFA

Meat processors are “losing their grip on beef prices” as tight supplies and strong market demand are driving the trade at the moment, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA). According to Brendan Golden, the association’s livestock chairperson, some processo...

08 Mar 2023

Singapore: Lab grown meat sales slow to catch on

SINGAPORE: Huber’s Butchery in Singapore’s lush Dempsey Hill is the only restaurant in the world selling lab-grown meat, but the supply is so limited there are just six servings — cultivated chicken in a salad or on kebab sticks, but only on Thursdays. Two ye...

08 Mar 2023

Planned Vet merger could mean costlier and lower quality inspections

CMA’s investigation into Eville & Jones’ acquisition of Vorenta has raised competition concerns in the provision of various veterinary public health inspections. Eville & Jones and Vorenta are leading providers of specialised veterinary services that support the UK...

08 Mar 2023

Philippines suspends beef imports from Spain

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has temporarily banned the entry of imported beef from Spain following the outbreak of mad cow disease in the European country. In a memorandum order, the DA said the ban covers the importation of live animals, meat, a...

07 Mar 2023

Increase in UK pork exports to Japan

With shipments now worth almost £5.1m, pork exports to Japan are up 54% on last year. HMRC report between January and November 2022, 1,423 tonnes of pig produce was shipped to Japan, an increase on 1,333 tonnes in 2021. AHDB are in Japan with six exporters at Asia’s largest...

06 Mar 2023

BFU hope to resolve Exeter Council’s proposed meat ban

IN a recent resolution, to highlight awareness of environmental impact and climate change, Exeter City Council voted to transition to plant-based catering at internal meetings, much to the dismay of local farmers, including many from the Exeter area. The British Farming Union ...

06 Mar 2023

Polish meat products seized by Jersey Customs

Officers of the Jersey Customs and Immigrations Service seized over 50kgs of pork products, including sausages, cooked hams and minced meat, which had been brought over from Poland. Jersey Evening Post report that the products, packaged in unmarked tins and plastic wrapping, ...

06 Mar 2023

Big uplift in EU pig prices adds further support to UK market

The EU reference price for pigs has gained a massive 18p in the space of just four weeks, providing strong support for UK pig prices. The EU reference price, which covers the major pig producing countries, stood at 195.44p/kg for the week ending February 19, following these...

06 Mar 2023

GB pig prices for week ending February 25, 2023 – SPP inches up

Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain. The UK pig price continues to rise, although the rate of increase is slowing. Following last week’s 0.73p increase, the EU-spec SPP moved up by a further 0.58p during the week ended February 25 to reach 207.71p/kg, y...

06 Mar 2023

ASF confirmed in domestic pigs in Germany again

African swine fever (ASF) has been detected on a small farm in eastern Germany, dealing a further blow to the country’s struggling pig sector. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) confirmed the virus on a holding with just 11 animals in the city of Cottbus, in Brandenbur...

06 Mar 2023

Joint operation sees one tonne of illegally imported pork seized in Suffolk

A tonne of pork has been seized in a joint operation between Border Force and the Suffolk Coastal Port Health Authority (SCPHA), following vehicle searches of traffic entering the ports of Harwich and Felixstowe from the EU. The officers searched for pork that doesn’t meet D...

04 Mar 2023

Where next for GB cattle prices?

GB deadweight cattle prices have shown remarkable strength so far in 2023, with prime cattle and cull cows posting weekly gains since the start of the year. In the week ending 25 February, the GB overall average steer price reached 480p/kg, up 71p from the same week a year ag...

04 Mar 2023

Irish beef outlook 2023

Ireland is the largest supplier of beef to the UK, with Irish product continuing to be a mainstay in the UK market. According to Bord Bia’s 2023 Irish beef sector outlook, c.90% of the value of Irish beef exports go to the EU and UK marketplace. With the UK making up 43% of...

04 Mar 2023

Mad cow case in Brazil dubbed ‘atypical’ after export bans

SAO PAULO, March 2 (Reuters) – A confirmed case of mad cow disease in Brazil discovered last month is “atypical,” the agriculture ministry said on Thursday, adding it will work to lift beef export suspensions swiftly enacted by several countries in Asia. The ...

02 Mar 2023

Iran: Meat prices reach new highs

Amid reports about a sharp increase in food prices in Iran, officials say that over the past year demand for red meat has decreased by 50 percent. Head of the Meat and Protein Industry Association of Iran, Masoud Rasouli told ILNA news website Sunday that “Compared to th...

02 Mar 2023

Argentina halts poultry exports after case of avian flu confirmed

Argentine authorities Tuesday suspended poultry exports after the first case of avian flu was confirmed in the province of Río Negro. The South American country’s poultry exports last year amounted to US$ 383 million, with China buying 75% of them. With 2.5 million tons...

02 Mar 2023

Cheale Meats expansion approved

A Brentwood slaughterhouse is to be built on green belt land after the local council approved the proposal. West Horndon-based Cheale Meats which currently supplies around 400 tonnes of meat per week to mainland Europe and other worldwide destinations, and 300 tonnes per wee...

28 Feb 2023

Brazilian meat processor BRF posts fourth-quarter loss

SAO PAULO, Feb 28 (Reuters) – Brazil’s BRF reported a 601 million real ($114.7 mln) net loss in the fourth quarter on Tuesday, significantly above a loss of 130.62 million reais forecast by analysts, as management scrambles to improve the company’s operating...

28 Feb 2023

Northern Ireland ‘Windsor Framework’ unveiled

The Windsor Framework, agreed by the Prime Minister and European Commission President, replaces the old Northern Ireland Protocol, providing a new legal and UK constitutional framework. Fundamentally rewriting the Treaty with new ‘Stormont Brake’ means UK can veto new EU g...

24 Feb 2023

Brazil to halt beef exports to China after mad cow disease case

SAO PAULO, Feb 22 (Reuters) – Brazil’s beef exports to China will be halted starting Thursday after a case of mad cow disease was confirmed in the northern state of Para, the country’s agriculture and livestock ministry has said. The suspension is part of an ...

24 Feb 2023

2 Sisters ‘moving ahead’ with closure of Anglesey factory

Food giant 2 Sisters is ‘moving ahead’ with its closure plan for an Anglesey chicken abattoir. The firm announced the Llangefni site was at risk last month – with over 700 jobs under threat. The 2 Sisters Food Group said the site was old and would require s...

16 Feb 2023

Exporters join AHDB at Gulfood

Beef, lamb and dairy from the UK will be under the spotlight this month at one of the world’s largest food and drink trade shows in Dubai. Held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the exhibition runs from February 20 to 24, attracting thousands of buyers from the food and bever...

16 Feb 2023

Americans are quitting plant-based meat

Plant-based meat looked poised to change the world — but then Americans stopped buying it. In 2020, retail sales of plant-based meat grew 45%, surpassing the $1 billion mark for the first time. Increasing awareness of companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, in ad...

14 Feb 2023

Interest in Veganuary wanes

Sales of meat-free products declined this ‘Veganuary’ compared to the year before, according to analysis by the AHDB. More than a million fewer households bought meat-free products this January compared to 2022, with only 13.7% of households buying one. This compar...

08 Feb 2023

Lab-grown meat created with algae

PARIS, Feb 7 — It’s an area that is currently witnessing a lot of innovations: cellular meat. We have seen recipes based on barley and even tobacco. But, in the Czech Republic, a start-up is working to make the economic model of this meatless meat a viable reality, turning...

07 Feb 2023

Vietnam: ASF vaccine to be circulated nationwide this month

The vaccine against African swine fever (ASF) AVAC ASF LIVE developed and produced by AVAC Vietnam Co., Ltd. is expected to be distributed nationwide this month, according to the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien. Speaking at a meeting on the ...

07 Feb 2023

NCB updates hygiene advice for butchers

National Craft Butchers (NCB) has reviewed existing assured advice and launched a food safety management system for butchers. Since partnering with Horsham District Council in 2013, NCB members have been able to register for a Primary Authority (PA) system and the legally back...

07 Feb 2023

Positive signs as pig prices rise in the UK and Europe

There are more positive signs for pig producers, as prices continue to increase on the back of tightening supplies and rising EU prices, according to Thames Valley Cambac. In its latest market report, TVC said it held a well-attended producer meeting in York earlier last we...

07 Feb 2023

EU pork production forecast to decline

EU pork production is expected to decline by around 3 to 4% this year, according to the latest quarterly pork report from Rabobank. EU pork production fell by 5% between January and October 2022, with most countries suffering declines, albeit to varying degrees. In October 202...

05 Feb 2023

Farmgate lamb prices under pressure from old-season livestock

Farmgate lamb prices are under pressure in Wales from reduced demand and high numbers of old-season lambs yet to be sold. A new report by Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) has provided little cheer for lamb producers; dry weather in 2022 led to lambs taking longer to finish, it says, and t...

04 Feb 2023

Hopes rest on fast rule changes for desperate abattoirs

A beleaguered abattoir sector, seeking regulatory reform to ease costs and burdensome paperwork, is optimistic following government crisis talks last week. Independent abattoir owners facing a maelstrom of bureaucracy, exorbitant electricity bills and labour shortages called o...

04 Feb 2023

Skare Meat Packers ‘files for bankruptcy’

Skare Meat Packers has reportedly applied for bankruptcy in a court in Denmark after a number of retailers halted orders due to a lack of meat traceability. A representative for the NNF food workers’ union in Denmark told Just Food that employees of Skare Meat Packers were...

04 Feb 2023

NZ dairy manufacturer Fonterra bans bobby calf slaughter

The welfare of calves in the dairy industry is back in the spotlight after New Zealand milk giant Fonterra ordered its farmer-suppliers to stop killing very young calves, after the cooperative changed its contracts. From June this year, Kiwi suppliers will be banned from eutha...

04 Feb 2023

Uruguay cattle breeders fear ‘monopoly conditions’

Brazil’s protein producer giant Minerva Foods issued a note to the market communicating the purchase of state-of-the-art Breeders and Packers Uruguay (BPU Meat) abattoir and processing plant for USD 40 million. The conclusion of the deal is still pending approval by the ...

01 Feb 2023

Danish Crown Says Chinese Pork Demand Subdued, Set To Cut 550 Jobs

Chinese consumption of pork remains subdued and normalisation could take up to six months, said Danish Crown’s CEO, who also told Reuters the company would lay off 550 staff in Denmark and Germany and cut capacity at its Essen plant by 40%. Chinese pork demand is weak...

31 Jan 2023

Bord Bia launches €4.8 million beef and lamb campaign

A new campaign launched by Bord Bia is set to invest €4.8 million in the promotion of Irish beef and lamb in key overseas markets over the next three years. The ‘European Beef and Lamb -Ireland, working with nature’ campaign is co-funded by the European Union and will ta...

31 Jan 2023

Lamb prices under pressure

Higher carryover stocks of lambs, reduced demand, and imports are all adding pressure to farmgate lamb prices. A report by Welsh levy board Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) – Meat Promotion Wales – shows how dry weather in 2022 led to lambs taking longer to finish, which has left a la...

28 Jan 2023

Irish sheep sector in crisis

Irish sheep farming is in danger of being ‘obliterated completely’ with prices continuing to drop while input costs soar. Irish Cattle and Sheep Association sheep chair Sean McNamara has warned sheep farmers urgently need answers from the Government on what support the sec...

28 Jan 2023

List of 24 Irish sites approved for export of beef to China

The resumption of Irish beef exports to China was announced by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, at the beginning of this year. Chinese buyers of Irish beef have placed orders with a number of processors and cattle eligible for export to C...

27 Jan 2023

Scottish beef numbers fall but sheep on the increase

THERE has been a 4% fall in beef cows, as farmers and crofters appear to have kept more sheep. That’s one of the key stats revealed by NFU Scotland’s 2023 Intentions Survey, which closed on January 10. Crucially, it pointed to a further shrinkage of Scotland’s iconic...

26 Jan 2023

Is Atlantic salmon the most versatile fish ever?

Once it was considered strictly a luxury, but now salmon is the most popular fish species in the US, Europe and Japan. We think that’s because you can do almost anything with it and easily find an option to suit your budget and your audience.

25 Jan 2023

730 jobs at risk as Anglesey poultry factory faces closure

A chicken factory is facing closure, putting 730 jobs at risk. Poultry giant 2 Sisters Food Group said the site in Llangefni, Anglesey, was old and would require significant investment to bring it up to the same standard as its other locations. The firm also said Llangefni was...

25 Jan 2023

Greek authorities report case of ASF

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) have confirmed that a wild boar found in northern Greece had contracted African swine fever. Measures to prevent and control spreading of the disease have been announced in a statement from the Greek agricultural ministry fol...

25 Jan 2023

Danish Crown closes German pork plant

Global pork giant Danish Crown has announced the closure of a major pork plant in Germany, in response to falling pig production in what has traditionally been one of Europe’s biggest pork producers. The group’s plant in Boizenburg, east of Hamburg, will close, affecting m...

24 Jan 2023

China official urges farmers to reduce sow herds

Jan 18 (Reuters) – China’s agriculture ministry urged farmers on Wednesday to take measures to reduce excess pork output and pressure on prices, which an official said have fallen below the cost of breeding due to weak consumption. China is the world’s top ...

24 Jan 2023

Ireland: Meat processors welcome the resumption of beef exports to China

Decision taken in 2020 to temporarily suspend trade was due to a single case of atypical BSE, which the Department notified to the Chinese authorities. Meat Industry Ireland (MII), the Ibec sector organisation representing the country’s main primary beef processing companies...

24 Jan 2023

Red Tractor’s ASF warning to UK pig farms

Pig farmers have been urged to tighten their biosecurity against a disease which threatens to “devastate” the sector if it arrives in the UK. Stewart Houston, pig sector chairman for the Red Tractor farm assurance scheme, has warned about the growing risk of Afric...

24 Jan 2023

Dawn Meats in deal to buy Kildare Chilling

Meat processor Dawn Meats is set to purchase fellow processor Kildare Chilling, Agriland understands. The deal will have to go through the statutory checks by the Competition and Consumer Protection (CCPC) before being finalised. Although the deal has not yet been formally a...

23 Jan 2023

Public switched away from turkey at Christmas, figures say

Consumers switched away from turkey during Christmas 2022 and favoured other meats such as lamb, new figures suggest. The data from retail specialists Kantar show that consumers across GB spent £2.7m less on turkey crowns and joints compared with the previous Christmas period...

18 Jan 2023

The history of butchery

Did you know that the trade and craft of butchery as we know it today was introduced to the British Isles by the Romans? The Romans brought new skills and a savvy eye for what the growing towns needed, paving the way for commercial meat production.

18 Jan 2023

S.Korea: U.S. beef imports at record high in 2022 amid high demand

U.S. beef imports in South Korea reached an all-time high in 2022, with over 250,000 tons shipped during the year. According to the U.S. Meat Export Federation on Tuesday, Korea imported 256,910 tons of American beef in 2022, accounting for 54 percent of its total beef imports...

18 Jan 2023

Cattle prices ended 2022 on a high

Cattle prices ended 2022 on historic highs, with prices peaking at 448.1p/kg, the highest on record, according to new AHDB analysis. In the four weeks to 31 December, average prices for all prime cattle were slightly above the previous period at 442.6p/kg. In the final week of...

18 Jan 2023

Minister criticised for saying NZ lamb ‘better for environment’

A government minister and a peer have been criticised after stating that New Zealand lamb was ‘better for the environment’ than home-produced lamb. Lord Hannan of Kinsclere and the Minister for International Trade, Lord Johnson of Lainston spoke on international tr...

18 Jan 2023

Chinese pork production on eight-year high

Chinese pork output rose by 4.6% in 2022 to reach its highest level in eight years, official Government data shows. China produced 55.41 million tonnes of pork last year, compared with 52.96mt in 2021 and the highest figure since the 56.71mt recorded in 2014, signifying th...

18 Jan 2023

Sentences handed out in French horse meat trial

A number of people have been sentenced for their roles in a network that sold horse meat that could have been unfit to eat. A total of 15 people from France, Belgium, and the Netherlands were sentenced at a Marseille court this past week in a case that began in June 2022, acc...

18 Jan 2023

NZ: Meat industry still has staffing issue

Meat processing companies remain short of more than 2000 workers in a tight domestic labour market. Further pressure on staffing is coming from staff absenteeism as workers isolate at home because of Covid. Easing some of this pressure was the Government announcing in August a...

18 Jan 2023

Ireland: 60,000-70,000 lambs to carry over into 2023

There is expected to be 60,000-70,000 lambs/hoggets carried over into 2023, as a difficult 2022 shows it colours. This is what Joe Burke, beef and livestock sector manager with Bord Bia, said during his presentation of the ‘Review of the lamb sector during 2022 and market ...

17 Jan 2023

Kepak offers 200 funded training courses

Leading British food manufacturer Kepak has become the first food business in the UK to offer free training places in partnership with The National Skills Academy for Food & Drink, encouraging individuals to consider a career the sector. The Food Passports initiative gives...

12 Jan 2023

LibDem MP blasts minister over UK lamb ‘insult’

Liberal Democrat MP Helen Morgan has accused a Government minister of ‘insulting’ British farmers, after he championed the benefits of buying New Zealand lamb. Conservative Minister of State for International Trade, Lord Johnson, praised Kiwi lamb saying it was better for ...

12 Jan 2023

Australian beef exports slumped to 19-year low in 2022

Australian beef and veal exports slumped to a 19-year low in 2022 as farmers rebuilt livestock numbers after years of wild weather, inflationary pressures and labour shortages. Total beef exports reached just 854,592 tonnes in 2022; the lowest they have been since 2003, when m...

10 Jan 2023

How to choose the right cut of chicken

Chicken is an incredibly versatile meat and this is partly down to the variety of different cuts it offers. Whatever you or your customers are looking for, you can almost certainly find a cut of chicken that will give you what you need.

08 Jan 2023

TVC Pig Marketing Report w/c 8th Jan

Slaughter Pig Marketing Summary – TVC Stark contrast following the festive season since our report same week last year, herd reductions are now starting to play a part in there being fewer pigs around. Farm businesses have been able to be better prepared this year for th...

05 Jan 2023

Scotland: Red meat industry campaign launched

Quality Meat Scotland, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, Meat Promotion Wales / Hybu Cig Cymru, and the Livestock and Meat Commission have joined forces to positively manage the reputation of red meat. Their 2023 package comprises several assets and materials, i...

05 Jan 2023

Farmers’ fury as Exeter City Council axes meat products

Farmers in Devon have expressed their outrage following Exeter City Council’s motion to transition to plant-based catering, neglecting the county’s wealth of local livestock producers. The motion, which received “overwhelming” backing from councillors before Christmas,...

31 Dec 2022

China to stop COVID testing chilled & frozen foods from January 8th

HONG KONG, Dec 30 (Reuters) – China’s meat trade on Friday cheered the imminent end of testing and disinfecting chilled and frozen foods for COVID-19, more than two years after Beijing started the controversial practice, adding substantial costs to the trade. The S...

28 Dec 2022

NPA seeks clarity on regionalisation in event of ASF outbreak

The NPA is seeking clarity on whether the regionalisation approach in the EU would apply to pork exports in the event of an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in the UK. Under the EU’s ASF regulations, where an outbreak occurs, the sale of pork products from the affected reg...

21 Dec 2022

Economic downturn dims positive outlook for poultry, Rabobank says

Economic downturn and operational challenges have dimmed the positive outlook for poultry markets, according to Rabobank research. Demand remains strong and supply limited, but the context is changing, the firm said in its latest analysis, published on Monday (19 December). An...

21 Dec 2022

Ireland: No festive cheer for lamb producers

There has been no reason for festive cheer among lamb producers with factory-ready supplies for the pre-Christmas trade. Producers had been hoping for a recovery in the trade pre-Christmas to regain the slippage in their returns over the past month, but it has not turned out t...

21 Dec 2022

Welsh lamb is big in Japan

Exports of Welsh lamb to Japan are picking up again after the Covid-19 pandemic stalled sales. Trade secured in Japan by Welsh red meat levy body Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) was strengthening in 2019, before it was interrupted by restrictions linked to the pandemic. But that market i...

21 Dec 2022

Jersey: investigation into 112 cattle deaths ongoing

A Major investigation is continuing to seek the cause of the illness that killed 112 cattle on a dairy farm in St Helier. The incident has sent shockwaves through the Island’s farming community, with more than three-quarters of the 137-strong Jersey herd at Woodlands Farm, w...

19 Dec 2022

Poultry set to take nearly half of the global meat market by 2031

Poultry will continue to be the fastest growing meat over the next decade and by 2031 will take 47% of the market, according to the latest OECD/FAO Agricultural Outlook. The long-term shift towards poultry will continue to strengthen, in part due to a preference for white meat...

19 Dec 2022

Danish Crown aims for competitive edge with patented automation

Danish Crown suggests automation can create growth and new jobs. “Danish Crown is really making its mark as a significant developer of automation. By developing the solutions ourselves and patenting them, we in Danish Crown will turn the automation agenda from challenge to c...

19 Dec 2022

Tesco considers closing fresh food counters as part of new cost-cutting drive

Tesco is poised to call time on the supermarket butcher and fishmonger as shopper interest in them wanes. Britain’s biggest supermarket is the only member of the current “Big Four” – Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Aldi – to still offer fresh food counters, which sell...

18 Dec 2022

Irish meat industry condemns cull plans to take out 200,000 cows

The body representing the beef sector in the Irish Republic, has condemned a proposed cow cull scheme to bring the country into line with EU expectations on ‘greening’. Meat Industry Ireland (MII) said it would cost the Irish rural economy €1.5bn in beef output a...

17 Dec 2022

Leading turkey farmer calls for fast tracked bird flu vaccine

One of the UK’s leading turkey producers has called for a bird flu vaccine to be fast tracked to help combat the growing threat of the disease. The call is part of a five-point strategy set out by Paul Kelly, managing director of Kelly Turkey Farms in Essex, in order to ...

17 Dec 2022

November GB cattle prices

GB deadweight cattle prices maintained their strength through the month of November. In the five weeks to 3 December, GB steers averaged 444p/kg overall, up 8% (32p) compared to the same period a year ago. This was also a notable 21% (77p) above the equivalent five-year ave...

14 Dec 2022

GB pig prices for week ending December 3, 2022

Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain. The EU-spec GB SPP dropped below the £2/kg mark for the first time since mid-September, as it fell back by a hefty 0.62p to 199.74p/kg in the week ending December 3, 2022. Ever since the average price index breached t...

14 Dec 2022

China pork exports 60% down

Chinese imports of pig meat have more than halved this year, according to trade data, but shipments to the world’s biggest pork consumer are forecast to grow next year. Over the first nine months of the year, China imported 1.2 million tonnes of pig meat, a massive 1.8 mil...

14 Dec 2022

Little festive cheer from pork processors

There was little festive cheer from the processing sector for the last full week before the short Christmas weeks, according to Thames Valley Cambac. “Meanwhile, pig supply gets ever tighter, but most processors still seem deaf to this fact,” TVC said in its latest market ...

14 Dec 2022

Cost of living crisis sparks rise in livestock theft

A growing number of farmers have seen sheep thefts across the country, with Lycetts insurance brokers warning the financial impact could be ‘crippling’. West Midlands sheep farmer Louie Rose had more than sixty sheep taken. “If I hadn’t been insured, I would have been ...

14 Dec 2022

Lamb prices increase but remain under pressure

Deadweight lamb prices increased for four consecutive weeks during November and early December. GB prices rose to average 561.1p/kg deadweight in the week ending 3 December, up by almost 50p/kg on month-earlier levels. Despite this growth, prices are 57.5p/kg below the same we...

09 Dec 2022

FSA accused of hindering progress on small abattoirs

Accusations that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is dragging its feet on support for small abattoirs gathered pace this week, after it rejected proposals for a dual system of meat controls for export and domestic consumption. Introducing separate regulatory regimes would exemp...

01 Dec 2022

Pilgrim’s UK to produce 4 million pork products as demand surges

Pilgrim’s UK has announced it will produce over four million pork products in the run up to Christmas to keep up with a surge in consumer demand. With the cost-of-living crisis leaving many families cash-strapped, the festive period could bring a boost to red meat, particula...

01 Dec 2022

China predicted to up import volumes as pig herd is hit by heavy losses

China is expected to increase its pork imports in the coming months, as its pig herd is hit by the knock-on effect of industry losses suffered last year. The reduction in pig output in China appears to be larger than official data suggests, industry experts claim. Surging pork...

28 Nov 2022

Cranswick flies in 400 butchers from Philippines to replace lost EU workers

One of the UK’s biggest pork producers has spent £4 million hiring butchers from the Philippines, after a staffing crisis threatened to hamper production. Cranswick Plc, which supplies supermarkets with pork and poultry, is paying for 400 butchers to travel from the Asian...

27 Nov 2022

German meat industry warns of empty supermarket shelves, another 40% jump in meat prices

The German meat industry has warned of impending supply bottlenecks, especially concerning pork, and a board member is putting at least some of the blame on Germany’s current left-wing government, which is well-known for its attacks on meat and efforts to transition to a pla...

23 Nov 2022

British Pig & Poultry Fair to move to NEC in 2024

Press Release The Royal Agricultural Society of England is delighted to announce that its flagship event, the British Pig & Poultry Fair, will be moving to a new venue at the NEC for 2024 and beyond. The next Fair will take place on 15-16 May 2024. “We know the Fair is h...

23 Nov 2022

Moy Park secures new supply deal with Getir

Moy Park has secured a supply deal with Getir, a delivery service, which means eight of its chicken products will be available to purchase from the grocery app. Getir will offer delivery of Moy Park branded lines – including its Flame Grilled Chunky Chicken Pieces and South...

22 Nov 2022

Danish Crown reveal plans for £100m bacon factory in Greater Manchester

A new £100m bacon factory planned to open in Greater Manchester next year is set to create 300 jobs. Global food company Danish Crown has revealed plans to open a pork processing plant in Rochdale in 2023. The facility will produce over 900 tonnes of bacon and gammon a week a...

21 Nov 2022

Iceland Seafood to exit its UK operation

Iceland Seafood International is set to exit its loss-making UK operation, with the board saying it “no longer feels it’s justifiable to continue”. Iceland Seafood UK previously invested in operating facilities in Grimsby and merged its operations from Bradfo...

21 Nov 2022

Smithfield and Billingsgate markets to relocate from central London to Dagenham

Billingsgate and Smithfield markets will relocate to a purpose-built site at Dagenham Dock in east London as part of a £1bn regeneration project. THE historic meat market is almost certain to leave its 1,000-year-old Smithfield site and move to Barking after traders agreed to...

17 Nov 2022

Surprise as FSA puts vet in-sourcing plan on hold

The Industry has been left surprised by a Food Standards Agency (FSA) decision to put its plans to directly employ abattoir vets on hold. The move was broadly supported by the meat sector as it was expected that job security and civil service career pathways would help with re...

17 Nov 2022

Veterinary group acquisition deal probed by competitions agency

The Competition Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation following the acquisition of veterinary and livestock services company Vorenta Group by official veterinarian specialists Eville & Jones. The CMA issued an Initial Enforcement Order earlier this month st...

16 Nov 2022

Eustice urges Government to learn lessons from Australia trade deal

Former Defra Secretary George Eustice has launched a blistering attack on former Prime Minister and International Trade Secretary Liz Truss over her handling of the Australian trade deal. The deal included giving Australia or New Zealand full access to the UK market to the b...

16 Nov 2022

More than three times the number of sheep as people in Wales

There were more than three times the number of sheep as people in Wales last year, contributing an estimated £744 million to Welsh red meat production and accounted for 43 per cent of the total value of Welsh agricultural output during 2021. Those are just three of the fascin...

16 Nov 2022

Lab-Grown Meat Gets FDA Approval

WASHINGTON, Nov 16 (Reuters) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the first time cleared a meat product grown from animal cells for human consumption, the agency announced on Wednesday. UPSIDE Foods, a company that makes cell-cultured chicken by harvesting c...

16 Nov 2022

Requirement for ‘regular vet visits’ for EU exports or NI movements pushed back another year

Just confirmed today, the requirement for veterinary visits attestations for export certs pushed back another year to 13/12/23 Certification of ‘regular vet visits’ for EU exports or NI movements Date issued: 16 November 2022 Purpose To inform Official Veterinarians (OVs...

16 Nov 2022

Consultation launched on mandatory Abattoir CCTV in Wales

The Welsh Government have opened a consultation on requirements for slaughterhouse operators: To have CCTV in areas where there are live animals To allow enforcement agencies to access footage To store footage for a specified period The consultation includes questions on our...

16 Nov 2022

Moy Park decides against Ashbourne closure

Moy Park has said it will keep its Ashbourne poultry processing facility open but will downsize operations and reposition the site as a business-to-business supplier. It comes after the company reported a sharp drop in profits, which it blamed on rising costs. The GMB union, w...

16 Nov 2022

Avian Influenza – Update

There have been 111 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in England since 1 October 2022. There have been 245 cases of (HPAI) H5N1 in England since the H5N1 outbreak started in October 2021. Check if you are in a bird flu disease zone on the map....

16 Nov 2022

IOM Farmers Union issues statement in response to audit report

Manx National Farmers Union issues statement in response to audit report Manx farmers have “consistently raised concerns” about the Island’s Meat Plant over the past few years. That’s according to the Manx National Farmers Union, which has released a st...

16 Nov 2022

Guernsey restricts pork imports over ASF

New restrictions on the import of pork meat and pork products have been introduced in Guernsey to limit the spread of African swine fever. It has been made illegal to bring certain pork or pork products into the Bailiwick from Europe, excluding the UK. The disease is found in ...

16 Nov 2022

NZ Lamb processing delays expected due to staff shortage

Farmers are being told to expect delays for this years peak lamb kill, with the season expected to be longer due to labour shortages. Processors have been struggling with staff shortages for the past two years due to the border closure and staff being off sick with Covid-19. ...

15 Nov 2022

Pilgrim’s UK announces closure of Dalehead Foods site

A Bury St Edmunds meat plant is to close, it has been confirmed, placing hundreds of jobs at risk of redundancy. Pilgrim’s UK has decided to close its Dalehead Foods site in a phased process. Another of the company’s sites, at Coalville, in Leicestershire, will als...

11 Nov 2022

Isle of Man meat plant failings highlighted in damning report

Serious failings in the running of the Isle of Man’s loss-making meat plant have been revealed in a damning report. Its authors found poor management and an “extremely slow pace” meant the government-owned facility in Tromode was not operating efficiently. En...

10 Nov 2022

Tight supplies in lamb markets

Lamb supplies remain tight as inflation will play a major role in the supply of lamb onto the market, as well as impacting consumer demand. Sheep prices were declining following seasonal trends in October. According to AHDB, the average GB liveweight SQQ for the week ending Oc...

10 Nov 2022

Meat fears keep Brazil trade talks on ice

A UK Government decision to maintain import barriers for Brazilian meat products is holding up progress on a trade deal, according to the team of Brazil’s new president-elect, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Ministers set out plans for an Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) with Bra...

10 Nov 2022

Grocery price inflation hits new record

Take-home grocery sales rose by 5.2% in the 12 weeks to 30 October 2022 according to the latest figures from Kantar, the fastest rate of market growth since April 2021. Four-week grocery price inflation has also hit another record high since Kantar began tracking prices in t...

08 Nov 2022

Relief for meat sector as FSA strike averted

Food Standards Agency (FSA) staff will not be striking over pay in the run up to Christmas, following a ballot of UNISON members, in what will come as a huge relief to the meat industry. UNISON, the UK’s largest union, had warned that the dispute involving several hundred in...

02 Nov 2022

Pilgrim’s UK launches Butchery and Abattoir Academy

Global pork producer Pilgrim’s UK is launching a Butchery and Abattoir Academy, to help fill the sector skills gap by developing UK-based industry talent. The aim of the Academy is to recruit and support the training and skills development of UK-based workers, as well ...

01 Nov 2022

China seafood show cancelled due to COVID restrictions

The China Fisheries and Seafood Expo scheduled for Nov. 9 -12 has been cancelled because of ongoing concerns that mass events will fuel the spread of COVID 19 in China. The show was originally scheduled for October, but was postponed to November in hopes the COVID restrictions...

01 Nov 2022

Significant dip in UK sheep meat production, figures show

UK sheep meat production saw a significant dip in September on the back of a low slaughter, according to the latest Defra figures. Production last month fell by 11% – or 21,400 tonnes – compared to a year earlier, while carcase weights saw little change on average....

31 Oct 2022

Bird flu measures stepped up as all poultry ordered to be kept indoors

A national housing order will be introduced across England on Monday 7 November making it a legal requirement to house flocks. Mandatory housing measures for all poultry and captive birds are to be introduced to all areas of England from 00:01 on Monday 7 November, following a...

30 Oct 2022

Defra policy to ease Christmas poultry rules

British poultry producers will be able to slaughter Christmas turkeys early, freeze, defrost them and still sell the meat as fresh, Defra has announced. Retailers and suppliers had been calling on the government to make such a move as they look to kill turkeys early to avoid t...

30 Oct 2022

Bird flu outbreak prompts UK to ease Christmas turkey rules

British poultry producers will be able to slaughter Christmas turkeys early, freeze and then defrost them but still sell the meat as fresh as the country deals with its worst ever bird flu outbreak, the country’s farm ministry announced on Friday. Retailers and suppliers...

28 Oct 2022

Bird flu support package does not go far enough, say farmers

Norfolk poultry farmers said a new government bird flu support package does not do enough to help virus-stricken businesses. Defra has announced a series of new measures to assist farmers hit by the UK’s worst-ever outbreak of avian influenza. Norfolk has become the epic...

28 Oct 2022

UK attractions serving more British meat

Family attractions in the UK are serving more British meat and local ingredients despite battling rising costs and staff shortages, according to a Soil Association investigation. The food and farming charity has ranked 16 of the UK’s leading attractions in a new league table...

28 Oct 2022

New government bird flu support for the poultry industry

New government support for the poultry industry has been announced today (Friday 28th October) to assist farmers and producers with the impacts of bird flu. The United Kingdom is dealing with its worst ever bird flu outbreak with over 200 cases confirmed across the country in ...

26 Oct 2022

UK Meat industry warns new red tape could hammer exports to EU

LONDON, Oct 25 (Reuters) – New UK government regulations set to come into force in December could prevent thousands of British meat producers from exporting to the European Union, the industry warned on Tuesday. The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) said a requi...

26 Oct 2022

FSA vets and meat inspectors balloting on pre-Christmas strike action

Staff at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are being balloted for strike action that could affect meat supplies during the festive season, says UNISON. The dispute involving several hundred inspectors, vets, and office-based staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland could br...

25 Oct 2022

Large volumes of illegally imported meat discovered at Dover Port

A 24-hour operation at Dover port has uncovered large amounts of raw animal products, including from countries with African swine fever (ASF) in their pig herds. The checks were carried out by the Dover Port Health Authority, following the move by the Government to clamp down ...

25 Oct 2022

Pilgrim’s invests £800,000 in Bromborough site

Pilgrim’s UK has announced an £800,000 investment in its Bromborough site as part of its ongoing strategy to maximise operational efficiency across its UK operations. Two new inline processes have been installed at the site, a benchmark for operational excellence within the...

25 Oct 2022

Minerva Foods buys the Australian Lamb Company

The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, and Minerva Foods announce the acquisition of 100% of issued shares in the Australian Lamb Company (ALC), for AUD 400 million (approx. SAR 970 million). Th...

24 Oct 2022

NZ trade deal: MPs call for analysis of risk to UK food security

The International Trade Committee today calls for an analysis of potential risks to the UK’s food security arising from the New Zealand trade deal. In a new report on the UK’s trade agreement with New Zealand, the cross-party Committee of MPs raises concerns over the elimi...

24 Oct 2022

Australia’s Kimberley Meat Co. plans $35 million expansion

Northern WA’s only major abattoir will undergo a $35 million expansion in a bid to boost its processing capacity by 60 per cent. It comes just six months after Kimberley Meat Company (KMC) reopened the facility — about 100 kilometres east of Broome — after it was ...

24 Oct 2022

Angus beef proves popular in UK supermarkets

New research has shown that British Aberdeen-Angus beef is a one of the most popular premium meat brands for UK supermarkets to stock. The mystery shopper data analysis was carried out by the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society and revealed that the native breed is a popular choice ...

24 Oct 2022

Butcher Simon Howie accuses energy firms of ‘bullying’ as costs soar 10 times higher

Perthshire butcher Simon Howie has revealed his energy costs have increased 10-fold since the start of the crisis. The entrepreneur has said it’s bringing a “significant” challenge to his butchery business. He has been left with no choice but to pass on increased costs t...

24 Oct 2022

Poultry firm calls for bird flu vaccinations

A poultry producer who has lost 100,000 birds to avian flu said vaccination was “the only solution” to the outbreak. Great Britain has been declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) following measures in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex last month. Mark Gorton, ...

24 Oct 2022

China releases 20,000 tons of central pork reserves

Chinese authorities on Friday stepped up efforts to stabilize pork prices with the release of 20,000 tons of pork from central reserves while reiterating their resolution to combat the fluctuation of pork prices. A batch of 20,000 tons of pork from central reserves was release...

24 Oct 2022

Botswana Welcomes Lifting of EU Beef Export Ban

Cattle farmers in Botswana, one of Africa’s top beef exporters to the European Union, have welcomed renewed beef exports to Europe. The move follows a two-month ban that followed an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and the culling of thousands of cows. Botswana officials o...

21 Oct 2022

Hoxton Farms raises $22 million for cultivated animal fat

Oct 20 (Reuters) – London-based Hoxton Farms said on Thursday it had raised $22 million from investors to build a pilot plant to produce animal fat from stem cells, aiming to tap into the growing market for less carbon-intensive foods. Many people in developed countries ...

21 Oct 2022

Welsh lamb exports to new markets up 227%

Exports of Welsh lamb to new markets have rocketed by 227 per cent, demonstrating ’real appetite’ for renowned red meat brands, Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) chair Catherine Smith has said. The countries now taking the meat include Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Add...

17 Oct 2022

Avian influenza: Prevention Zone declared across Great Britain

Avian influenza Prevention Zone has been declared across Great Britain making it a legal requirement for all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures. Following an increase in the number of detections of avian influenza (bird flu) in wild birds and on commercial prem...

17 Oct 2022

FSA struggling with skills gap post-Brexit says report

Authorities such as the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are struggling with a skills gap after the United Kingdom left the European Union, according to a report. The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee said there is a problem for agencies in recruiting and keeping the skill...

17 Oct 2022

New pork ad campaigns to ‘feed the family for less’

A new pork advertising campaign by the AHDB has been rolled out with an aim to ‘feed the family for less’ as the cost-of-living crisis continues. As consumer demand for affordable meals grows, the levy organisation’s autumn pork marketing campaign launches wi...

17 Oct 2022

Bord Bia announces €1m beef promotions across UK and EU

Bord Bia has today announced a €1m investment in beef marketing across key UK and EU markets this autumn to support this sector faced with increasingly difficult trading conditions. Bord Bia’s autumn promotional activities this year will specifically spotlight Irish qualit...

17 Oct 2022

China’s Inflation Rate Hits Two-year High

The National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBS) released official data on Friday indicating that China’s consumer inflation touched a two-year high in September. This was driven by rising pork prices and inclement weather’s impact on China’s farmers. The nat...

14 Oct 2022

China dips into pork reserves again

China released more pork reserves Friday, state media said, after prices of the staple meat soared by almost a third, triggering inflation concerns. Beijing’s top economic planner has already dipped into the state reserves three times this month and has ordered suppliers...

14 Oct 2022

ASF on large farm in in Romania

Romania confirmed an outbreak of African swine fever on a large pig farm in the western county of Timis, on Wednesday October 13. It was also confirmed that 39,000 animals will be culled and that local authorities and the food safety agency were meeting up to agree on next...

14 Oct 2022

GB pig prices for week ending October 8 – SPP inches up again

Weekly pig prices, slaughter data for Great Britain The EU-spec GB SPP continued moving in the right direction in the week ended October 8, inching up by 0.18p to reach 200.55p/kg. This is the second successive weekly increase, following the reverse in the week ended September...

14 Oct 2022

Scottish researchers advance tech for growing meat in a laboratory

Technology to grow meat in a laboratory has entered the next stage of testing in more than 10 sites around the world after successfully completing proof of concept in Scotland. The new approach to generating pig cell lines for cultivated meat has been developed by Roslin Techn...

13 Oct 2022

Half of all geese destined for Christmas table culled as bird flu worsens

More than half of all geese destined for Christmas dinner tables have been culled after another outbreak of bird flu. Government vets confirmed the outbreak at a farm in Breckland, Norfolk, as bird flu spreads across the east of England. The Department for Environment, Food an...

12 Oct 2022

NZ farmers to face livestock emissions tax under new plan

(CNN) – A burp or fart at the dinner table might land you in trouble – but if you’re a cow or sheep in New Zealand, it might land your owner a hefty tax bill. Prime Minister Jacinda Arden confirmed at a press conference on Tuesday that her government will push ahea...

12 Oct 2022

Lacklustre demand for British pork continues

Processors blamed lacklustre retail demand for British pork for poor uptake of pigs last week, according to Thames Valley Cambac. TVC described the 19% year-on-year increase in pork import volumes, as highlighted in the last issue of Pig World, as ‘disappointing’, but n...

12 Oct 2022

Vaccinations, not culling, Australia’s best response to FMD, experts say

VACCINATION rather than mass culling of livestock should be Australia’s response to foot and mouth disease (FMD), according to livestock biosecurity experts. Addressing an MLA biosecurity breakfast in Brisbane on Tuesday, the three speakers endorsed vaccination over the ‘t...

08 Oct 2022

Danish Crown pares job cuts at two abattoirs

Meat group Danish Crown has pared its plans for potential job job cuts at two local slaughterhouses. Last month, Danish Crown flagged 350 redundancies at abattoirs in Sæby and Ringsted because of fewer pigs coming in for slaughter as farmers grapple with “record-high” f...

08 Oct 2022

British lamb exported to US for first time in over 20 years

British lamb has now been exported to the United States for the first time in over 20 years, in a deal estimated to be worth £37m in the first five years of trade. The first consignment since the deal was struck last year was flown to the US this week, containing lamb produce...

06 Oct 2022

Salmonella rising in British raw meat pet food

The occurrence of Salmonella in raw pet food seems to be rising in Great Britain. Raw meat pet food had the highest number of Salmonella contaminated samples of all the feeds tested by the UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency scientists. The agency report “Salmonella�...

06 Oct 2022

48m birds culled in UK and EU due to record avian influenza crisis

The 2021-2022 avian influenza outbreak has been the largest ever observed in the UK and Europe, according to a new report. Around 48 million birds have been culled across Europe, including the UK, as a result of the crisis, the latest data from EU disease and health bodies s...

06 Oct 2022

GB pig prices for week ending October 1, 2022

AHDB Pork’s weekly pig prices, slaughter data for Great Britain The EU-spec GB SPP increased by 0.36p to reach 200.37p/kg for the week ended October 1, following the previous week’s 0.21 backward step, the first since February. The previous week’s reverse was from a r...

06 Oct 2022

Small abattoirs should benefit from earned recognition, says Farming Minister

Farming Minister Mark Spencer has said he will push for small abattoirs to be able to benefit from earned recognition in order to reduce veterinary presence. His comments came shortly after John Mettrick, owner of the multi-award winning Glossop-based butchers J W Mettrick, c...

03 Oct 2022

New Zealand votes to end livestock exports by sea

Exports of livestock by sea will cease from April next year, following a 2019 review of the trade in response to concerns around the ongoing risk to New Zealand’s reputation. The Bill, which passed in Parliament today, does not cover the export of live animals by air, fo...

03 Oct 2022

Maersk launches Spain-UK rail service

Madrid: Sealand – A Maersk Company – is launching a new rail product from Spain to the UK, designed for temperature-sensitive cargo such as fruit and vegetables. The new transport option will initially have three weekly departures from the Valencia terminal to the Barking ...

03 Oct 2022

Worst bird flu outbreak in UK history puts Christmas turkeys at risk

Christmas turkey supplies could be at risk if the worst avian flu outbreak in UK history continues to spread, the National Farmers’ Union has warned. More than three million birds have had to be culled so far, with Avian Influenza Prevention Zones introduced in Norfolk, ...

03 Oct 2022

UAE beef importers in Trade Mission to Spain

Abu Dhabi: Provacuno, a Spanish beef interprofessional association, organised a delegation of top UAE beef importers to visit several Spanish plants and farms as part of its Wonderful Beef 2.0 campaign as a trade mission. Participants learned about the safety and quality of EU...

02 Oct 2022

Banham Poultry fined £300,000

A poultry company has been fined £300,000 after neighbours complained about the smell of “rotting bodies and flesh” coming from an abattoir. People living near Banham Poultry in Attleborough in Norfolk reported the smell to the Environment Agency nearly 350 times between...

02 Oct 2022

US beef breeder – British beef needs to change direction

The UK beef sector needs to chase better eating quality rather than yield, because consumer satisfaction is everything. According to influential US Stabiliser breeder Lee Leachman: “You should be worried you are not producing lovely steaks. As a beef consumer I would say tha...

30 Sep 2022

NZ meat bound for Chinese vending machines

Consumers will soon be able to buy ready-to-eat meals, made with New Zealand beef and lamb, from vending machines in Shanghai. Major red meat exporters Beef + Lamb NZ, Alliance and Silver Fern Farms are piloting beef and lamb vending machines with meals ready for time-poor con...

29 Sep 2022

Argentine beef exports grow but not in China

Argentine beef exports have grown interannually but demand from China is 20% lower than in July and decreasing, with a marked downward trend in prices, according to a report from the Argentine Beef Exporters (ABC) Consortium in Buenos Aires. In the first 8 months of 2022, ship...

29 Sep 2022

NSA appeal for government support for abattoirs

Growing concerns over the survival of small abattoirs and farm supply companies have prompted the National Sheep Association (NSA) to appeal to government for “meaningful” support. The NSA points to the increasing dominance of large companies in agricultural markets which ...

29 Sep 2022

Botswana resumes beef exports from areas free of FMD outbreak

GABORONE, Sept 28 (Reuters) – Botswana has resumed exports of live cattle and beef from areas declared free of foot and mouth disease (FMD) but sales to Europe, which has tougher import restrictions, remain suspended, a senior government official told Reuters on Wednesda...

28 Sep 2022

Beyond Meat has lost a second senior executive.

Beleaguered plant-based food producer Beyond Meat has lost a second senior executive days after it suspended its chief operating officer. Bernie Adcock will step down as chief supply chain officer at the end of the month “to pursue another opportunity”, the US company an...

28 Sep 2022

German meat processor Tönnies cuts jobs

Meat processor Tönnies has cut hundreds of jobs since June at two pig plants in its home market of Germany as slaughter numbers continue to “slump”. Between 500 and 600 slaughtering and cutting positions have been eliminated across the sites in Sögel, Lower Saxony, and W...

27 Sep 2022

Pig prices pass landmark £2/kg

The EU-spec SPP has passed the £2 per kg mark, but the rate of increase is slowing and prices are still well below costs of production. The SPP averaged 200.22p/kg in the week ending 16 September, up 0.3p from the previous week – the smallest increase since early March....

27 Sep 2022

Fake meat sales slide on price and being ‘too woke’

Just a few years ago, with a blockbuster initial public offering from Beyond Meat Inc and the unveiling of an Impossible Whopper at Burger King locations in the US, plant-based meats were ascendant. Now, after once enjoying double-digit growth, sales in the plant-based meat ca...

27 Sep 2022

Bird flu restrictions imposed across eastern England

All of Norfolk and Suffolk, and parts of Essex, have been made subject to avian flu restrictions. The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) had been established to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said. It ...

25 Sep 2022

Fire at the Paris Rungis wholesale market

PARIS (AP) — A billowing column of dark smoke towered over Paris on Sunday from a warehouse blaze at a massive produce market that supplies the French capital and surrounding region with much of its fresh food and bills itself as the largest of its kind in the world. Firefig...

20 Sep 2022

Inflation kills off plant-based meat boom hopes

A sector once favoured by investors is coming under pressure amid rising prices for consumers. The increasing pressure on consumers has extinguished any hopes of a rebound in sales of plant-based meat this year, dealing a blow to a sector that was an investors’ favourite whe...

20 Sep 2022

Container shipping rates crash

Spot rates on transpacific routes have halved since the end of April. The huge increase in freight costs that began during the early stages of the pandemic is beginning to unwind, with rates for shipping containers from China to the US Pacific coast halving over the past two m...

16 Sep 2022

Europe’s biggest pork producer cuts jobs as supplies decline

COPENHAGEN, Sept 15 (Reuters) – Europe’s biggest pork producer, Danish Crown, said on Thursday it would cut 350 jobs at two factories in Denmark as a result of declining supplies from farmers hit by rising energy and feed prices. The war in Ukraine has resulted in ...

15 Sep 2022

Aldi overtakes Morrisons as fourth biggest supermarket

Aldi has increased its market share as shoppers tighten their purse strings in response to the rising cost of living. Aldi has overtaken Morrisons to become the fourth biggest UK supermarket, with Lidl the fastest growing grocer for the fourth month in a row. The discounters a...

15 Sep 2022

AHDB considers Stoneleigh Park move

Agricultural levy board AHDB is considering quitting its Stoneleigh Park base in favour of smaller premises, it has been revealed. The organisation, which has been based in a £5m, 5,000 sq ft building on the farming and agricultural centre just outside Coventry in Warwickshir...

15 Sep 2022

Maelor Foods plans to double production

Maelor Foods has submitted an application to increase operations at its Wrexham processing plant that would double production to two million birds a week. The company currently employs 250 staff, with 86% of the staff coming from the North Wales area. The increase in productio...

14 Sep 2022

AIMS announces conference line up

After three years away during which time the meat and poultry processing sector has experienced many challenges, the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has announced its annual conference will take place in person this year on 1 October. It will be held at the Ed...

14 Sep 2022

China releases additional pork reserve to maintain price stability

China will release additional pork into the market from central reserves this week to ensure pork supplies and maintain stability in prices, the country’s top economic planner has said. This will be the second batch of pork released from the country’s central reser...

13 Sep 2022

Public told to buy British to ‘save’ pig sector

Consumers and retailers must back British as the long-running pig sector crisis continues to take its toll on farms across the country, the National Pig Association (NPA) has said. The body today (13 September) warned that there could be a reduced choice of favourite British p...

13 Sep 2022

Call to deem food production as ‘vulnerable’ amid surging energy costs

Hard-pressed farming businesses are to be included in new measures to address soaring energy costs, but calls have been made for the government to go further and deem food production as ‘vulnerable’. Businesses will get help with surging energy bills, with prices c...

13 Sep 2022

Weak demand continues to blight pork market – TVC

Weak demand on the domestic market continues to apply a brake to the UK pork market, although rising EU prices are providing a glimmer of hope. “Trade seems to be reflective between last week and this coming week with signs of little change regarding demand being still les...

13 Sep 2022

EU farming organisations warn of threat to food supply as costs spiral

Many operators in the EU’s agri-food sector are struggling to maintain business in the face of rapidly rising input costs and extreme weather events, according to agri-food chain associations Copa-Cogeca, the Primary Food Processors (PFP) and FoodDrinkEurope. In a statement,...

12 Sep 2022

British pigs in blankets scarce this Christmas as UK pork industry shrinks 20pc in a year

Shoppers looking for British pigs in blankets and locally reared gammon to serve this Christmas may be forced to buy EU meat instead, the industry has warned. Supermarkets will be stocking less British meat this winter, after higher feed prices forced farmers to rear fewer ani...

12 Sep 2022

China battles ‘porkflation’ as price of popular meat soars

SHANGHAI — China’s pork prices surged again in August, as the government dips into national reserves to stabilize costs and ensure supply in the world’s biggest consuming nation of the meat. The country’s headline consumer price index (CPI) slowed in A...

10 Sep 2022

Two men face Chester court over abattoir charges

TWO Whitchurch men will enter pleas after being charged with illegally using a cattle prod against animals at a Chester abattoir when they return to court in November. Matthew Arden, 32 and of Fields View, Burleydam and 48-year-old Paul May, of Belton Road, in Whitchurch, appe...

08 Sep 2022

Pilgrim’s to close two sites – potential loss of nearly 700 jobs

Leading pork processor Pilgrim’s UK is planning to close two sites, at Bury St Edmunds, in Suffolk, and Coalville, in Leicestershire, and reduce production at its Ashton site, resulting in the potential loss of nearly 700 jobs. The existing operations at the two plants wi...

08 Sep 2022

Shocking Defra figures show huge contraction in English pig herd

The English pig breeding herd has contracted by 18% in the space of a year, as the devastating impact of the pig industry crisis takes its toll, Defra’s June Agricultural survey reveals. The figures, which are reinforced by the latest UK-wide data released by AgroVision, sho...

08 Sep 2022

Asian markets boost for UK meat exports

The Far East has remained an important destination for UK red meat exports during the first half of the year, adding significant value to the UK red meat sector. According to the latest data from HMRC, despite an easing of shipments due to a number of challenges on the market,...

08 Sep 2022

Butchers worry food fraud is on the rise

There are concerns that an increase in animal theft could be linked to the cost-of-living crisis, as criminals look to cash in on rising meat prices. Around £2.4 million of cattle and sheep were stolen last year, according to an annual rural crime survey. Overall, livestock t...

08 Sep 2022

Moy Park to close Ashbourne processing plant

Moy Park has announced a consultation with staff at its Ashbourne facility, hatchery and logistics operation in Derbyshire as it proposes changes to its processing model following a strategic review. The business said it wanted to move its fresh primary operations from a four-...

08 Sep 2022

Rain could save impending store lamb glut

September may have brought essential rain to build grass covers and get winter root crops growing to service demand for an anticipated bumper store lamb season. National figures from Defra and AHDB suggest many lambs remain on farms after creep prices and dry weather slammed t...

08 Sep 2022

Lab grown Lamb on the way

Future Meat Technologies of Rehovot, Israel, has produced its first cultivated lamb. The lab-made product is said to look, cook and taste like conventional ground lamb meat ready to make into burgers, kebabs, and more. Future Meat’s development of cultivated lamb started in...

07 Sep 2022

Australia Tightens Meat Import Rules for FMD

Australia has announced harsh new bans on some meat imports from 70 countries, as a disease with the ability to wipe out an entire industry spreads. Pate, pork crackling and other processed meat products have been slapped with a wide-reaching import ban in an effort to keep fo...

07 Sep 2022

Namibian Meat Board wants sheep marketing scheme abolished

The Meat Board of Namibia is seeking the agriculture ministry to abolish the sheep marketing scheme as it failed to meet its primary objective. The small stock marketing scheme was introduced on 1 July 2004 to stimulate value addition to sheep and sheep products locally and ...

06 Sep 2022

Saudi Arabia plans $5bn investment to become self-sufficient in poultry meat

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia plans SR17 billion ($5 billion) investment to boost poultry production as the Kingdom aims to achieve a poultry meat self-sufficiency rate of 80 percent by 2025, Saudi Press Agency reported. By targeting 1.3 million tons of broiler chickens per year, th...

06 Sep 2022

China Has No Basis to Ban Australian Beef, PM Albanese Says

China has no basis for using foot-and-mouth disease as a reason to suspend beef imports from Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Tuesday in response to reports that Beijing has restricted trade. Australia remains free of the disease and biosecurity officials were a...

06 Sep 2022

Food supplies under threat amid second CO2 shortage

Fresh fears of a carbon dioxide shortage means UK food security is “under threat”, the boss of the UK’s biggest chicken processor has warned. Ranjit Singh Boparan – who runs 2 Sisters Food Group and has been dubbed the Chicken King – said a key food industry CO2 supp...

06 Sep 2022

Charlotte Evans appointed as head of engagement for pork

AHDB has appointed Charlotte Evans as its first ever head of engagement for pork, a brand new role, which she will start in mid-November. The new position incorporates responsibilities from the head of knowledge exchange role held by Jen Waters, who leaves AHDB on September 2...

06 Sep 2022

China’s pork market begins a new cycle

According to a report from Rabobank, China’s pork industry has begun a new cycle which will offer considerable growth potential and opportunities for local and global players. The new ‘upward’ cycle began in June 2022, say Rabobank, and is expected to run for less ti...

06 Sep 2022

Pig producers lost £52/pig in Q2

Average pig production losses have topped £50 per head for the second successive quarter, as soaring costs continue to cripple an industry that has now lost more than £600 million since the autumn of 2020, according to AHDB estimates. The latest AHDB quarterly cost of produc...

06 Sep 2022

France bans imports of poultry from animals on antibiotics

In a decree that will affect the poultry market, primarily, France announces the ban of animal meat imports treated with growth antibiotics as of 22 April. Reuters reports that France is anticipating an EU-wide measure that had been due to enter into force late January but wa...

06 Sep 2022

Meat industry devastated by electricity bills

In response to pleading reports from its members around unrelenting energy prices, the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has outlined several recommendations for the new UK Prime Minister to address. “AIMS have been alarmed to hear from our members of the im...

05 Sep 2022

Lacklustre demand continues to hold back pork market

Weak demand continues to put a brake on the pork market, despite tightening supplies, according to Thames Valley Cambac. “While the calendar noted a change in season and historically better trade for pig meat, demand remained lacklustre at best. It is hoped improvements wi...

05 Sep 2022

China remains largest importer of UK pork, as Asian market boosts UK red meat exports

The Asian market has had a significant impact on the value of UK red meat exports in the first half of 2022. The latest data from HMRC shows that China remains the largest importer of UK pig meat, as export values reached nearly £88 million in the year to date. Furthermor...

05 Sep 2022

GB prime cattle prices make marginal gains

For the week ending 27 August, the average GB all-prime deadweight cattle price made a small gain for the second week, up 0.1p to 433.5p/kg. Despite being back on the higher prices of June, the latest average price was almost 24p above that seen last year. The different cattle...

05 Sep 2022

Pig carcase weights and SPP prices steady

The GB EU-spec SPP stood at 198.4p/kg for the week ending 27 August, an increase of 0.34p/kg on the previous week. This means prices are currently running at more than 41p above the 5-year average and 40p above the price seen at this point last year. An estimated 167,900 clean...

05 Sep 2022

Co2 supply situation deteriorates

This week the security of UK Co2 supplies to critical industries like health, nuclear and food took a a major blow. We had the twin announcements of the imminent cessation of production at CF Industries’ last remaining UK fertiliser plant alongside the planned September shut...

05 Sep 2022

Premium price for Irish beef flown weekly to Singapore

ABP Food Group has begun flying beef from Ireland to a high-end retailer in Singapore, where certified Angus striploin steaks are retailing at around €72/kg. Ryan’s Grocery, will also stock lamb from Irish Country Meats (ICM), ABP’s specialist sheepmeat company, at their...

04 Sep 2022

Farmers fears as closure of independent abattoir spells start of business problems

The closure of an independent abattoir that has been in business for more than a hundred years over five generations will spark anxiety amongst farmers who rely on such operations for their own livelihoods. Mettrick’s abattoir in Glossop on the South Yorkshire border close...

04 Sep 2022

Higher retail prices impact meat sales

With the cost of living crisis hitting households across the UK, Cedric Porter takes a look at the impact on consumer spending. Consumers are cutting back on meat consumption as they change purchasing habits to cope with the cost of living. Food price inflation has been rising...

03 Sep 2022

UK’s native sheep breeds in spotlight following US taste test

The UK’s many native sheep breeds have been put in the spotlight after US meat processors arrived in the country and took part in a mutton taste test. The British Heritage Sheep scheme and the AHDB championed the unique flavour brought to the table by native sheep breeds...

02 Sep 2022

Spain to put video cameras in abattoirs

Spanish slaughterhouses will have to install video surveillance to ensure animals are not mistreated before being killed, the government has announced, claiming a first in the EU. “This rule puts Spain at the forefront of Europe in this area and, as well as ensuring the welf...

02 Sep 2022

Walmart acquires stake in sustainable beef startup

Walmart is acquiring a minority stake in a rancher-owned, premium beef company to expand its sourcing of sustainable meat, the retail giant has announced. Terms of Walmart’s deal with North Platte, Nebraska-based Sustainable Beef LLC were not disclosed. But Walmart said the ...

01 Sep 2022

Dry pastures force Texas ranchers to slaughter ever more cows

CROCKETT, Texas, Aug 24 (Reuters) – With almost all of Texas in drought, ranchers are sending ever more cattle off to slaughter, a trend likely to increase beef prices over the long term due to dwindling supply from the largest cattle region in the United States. Since m...

01 Sep 2022

Brazilian food processor BRF CEO resigns

SAO PAULO, Aug 30 (Reuters) – Brazilian food processor BRF SA said on Tuesday that chief executive Lorival Luz has resigned and will be replaced by Miguel Gularte, a top executive at beef-packer Marfrig Global Foods SA. Shares in the poultry and pork processor were aroun...

01 Sep 2022

Vietnam suspends African swine fever vaccine after pig deaths

Vietnam has temporarily suspended the use of its African swine fever (ASF) vaccine after dozens of pigs inoculated with the shots died this month, the country’s state media has reported, according to a report by Reuters. The pigs were among around 600 pigs at several farms i...

01 Sep 2022

Strict new controls on pork imports introduced to curb ASF

Strict new controls restricting the movement of pork and pork products into Great Britain to help safeguard Britain’s pigs from the threat of African swine fever (ASF) have been announced today (Wednesday 31 August 2022). African swine fever poses no risk to human health, bu...

31 Aug 2022

Tyson Foods fires international group head

Tyson Foods Inc. has terminated its international division group president, according to a Monday filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The Springdale-based meat giant terminated Chris Langholz, group president international, on Aug. 26 according to...

31 Aug 2022

Argentine beef exports hit new records

Argentina’s Rosario Stock Exchange Friday reported the first semester of 2022 showed record beef exports 39.4% above figures from the same period last year, worth US$1.75 billion. Beef shipments grew US$ 457 million from US$ 1.293 billion. “Analysing the evolution of 2...

31 Aug 2022

NFU seeks ‘urgent clarity’ as UK ammonia plant stops production

The NFU has requested an urgent meeting with CF Fertilisers on the impact of its decision to suspend ammonia production at its Co Durham plant. In a statement, CF Fertilisers attributed its decision to halt ammonia production, a key ingredient to produce fertiliser, to market ...

31 Aug 2022

Support urged for Love Lamb Week

Consumer support for Love Lamb Week is more important than ever with the sheep sector continuing to be hit hard by soaring input costs, according to the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU). Working together on the promotion of the annual event, UFU will focus on the production of la...

31 Aug 2022

Medical journal asked to ditch ‘cancer-link’ study

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has requested that ‘misleading content’ linking red meat to cancer and other fatal diseases be immediately removed from respected medical journal The Lancet, after leading scientists questioned the validity of its claim...

31 Aug 2022

Carrefour CEO says inflation crisis seeing consumers snub organic food

Cost-conscious French consumers are ditching fish, buying cheaper meat and snubbing organic food to save money on their shopping, the head of Europe’s largest food retailer said on Tuesday. Carrefour Chief Executive Alexandre Bompard said economists’ debates about ...

31 Aug 2022

China Halts Some Meat Imports From US Processor Tyson Foods

(Bloomberg) — China has suspended some meat imports from US processing giant Tyson Foods Inc., the country’s customs office said on Monday. The halt affects products from a plant owned by Tyson Fresh Meats Inc., the beef and pork subsidiary, for shipments from Aug. 29,...

31 Aug 2022

Glossop abattoir closes after 100 years

Mettrick’s abattoir in Glossop, Derbyshire will close after over 100 years, with campaigners calling the news ‘extremely worrying’ for local farmers. The abattoir is run by brothers John and Steven Mettrick, the fifth generation since the business was founded...

31 Aug 2022

Pork supplies remain tight, as Europe gives UK pig market impetus

Rising European pig prices continue to support the UK pig price at a time when domestic supplies are tightening. The late summer Bank holiday caused some disruption with factory closures, but supplies remained on the tight side with slaughter weights well under control, Thames...

31 Aug 2022

BMPA calls for Government intervention over planned CO2 plant closures

The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) has called for Government intervention amid concerns over future CO2 supplies, after CF Fertilisers UK announced its intention to temporarily halt ammonia production at its Billingham Complex. The plant is a major supplie...

31 Aug 2022

AHDB to showcase red meat and dairy in Singapore

AHDB will be in Singapore next week at a major international food and drink showcasing red meat and dairy to buyers from around the world. The export team will be attending Food and Hotel Asia (FHA), which runs from Monday to Thursday, and attracts more than 40,000 trade deleg...

30 Aug 2022

China develops new beef cattle breed ‘Huaxi’

China has successfully bred a new beef cattle variant “Huaxi” and owns the independent intellectual property, which will likely strengthen competitiveness of China’s beef industry and the nation’s food security, Xinhua News Agency reported on Wednesday....

30 Aug 2022

Botswana suspends beef exports over suspected FMD outbreak

GABORONE (Reuters) – Botswana has suspended beef exports after a suspected outbreak of foot and mouth disease, the Department of Veterinary Services said on Wednesday, a move that could hurt the country’s earnings from the lucrative EU market. Along with South Africa a...

29 Aug 2022

Namibia suspends livestock imports from Botswana after FMD scare

WINDHOEK, Aug 29 (Reuters) – Namibia on Monday announced the suspension of livestock imports and other related meat products from Botswana after its eastern neighbour announced last week that it is investigating a suspected outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Suspected c...

29 Aug 2022

Tyson pork plant in U.S suspended from exporting to China -USDA

CHICAGO, Aug 29 (Reuters) – Tyson Foods Inc’s pork processing plant in Logansport, Indiana, has been suspended from exporting products to China, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Monday. The suspension is effective Aug. 29, the agency said. Neither USDA no...

26 Aug 2022

EU-NZ deal more favourable than UK’s

Two Scottish Ministers have hit out at the UK Government’s trade deal with New Zealand, noting the EU has secured more favourable terms for its farmers. Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon and Trade Minister Ivan McKee pointed to a ‘stark contrast’ between the two agre...

26 Aug 2022

GB cattle prices stabilise

The average GB prime cattle deadweight price saw its first increase for seven weeks, appreciating 0.9p to average 433.4p/kg in the week ending 20 August. This increase means average prices are now 65p above the 5-year average, and 25p above prices this time last year. Within t...

26 Aug 2022

GB pig prices for week ending August 20

AHDB Pork’s weekly pig prices, slaughter data and commentary for Great Britain The GB EU-spec SPP edged closer to the 200p/kg mark in the week ending August 20, averaging 198.06p/kg. This was up 0.66p from the previous week. The measure stood 39p above the equivalent wee...

26 Aug 2022

BMPA calls for Government intervention as planned plant closure threatens CO2 supplies

26 Aug 2022

Butcher fears closure amid rising energy costs

A butcher said he could be forced to close his business due to rising energy costs. Martin Mottershead has been paying £12,000 a year at his Stafford shop, but this will rise to £35,000 when his fixed price contract ends in 18 months. Other small business owners in the town ...

26 Aug 2022

CO2 and fertiliser worries as last factory shuts

Britain’s only domestic fertiliser factory producing carbon dioxide is being shuttered due to high energy prices, raising alarm for the many organisations that depend on the gas for surgical operations, meat processing and production of beer and fizzy drinks. With ferti...

22 Aug 2022

Labour crisis sweeps Australia’s food supply chain

Australia’s key food industry bodies have calculated the food supply chain is currently short at least 172,000 workers from paddock to plate. This massive labour shortage will have significant long-term impacts on price and the availability of food for the consumer unless so...

16 Aug 2022

Australia, NZ deny ‘rumours’ of meat ban to China

Response comes after Chinese media reports imports could be suspended over foot-and-mouth disease concerns. Australia and New Zealand have said shipments of meat to China are clearing as normal despite Chinese media reports of a ban on imports from both countries. The Australi...

12 Aug 2022

Farmers fed up of being ‘easy target’ for emissions cuts

Farming groups have warned the industry has had enough of being seen as an ‘easy target’ for Governments seeking to cut emissions levels. The comments come after the Irish Government introduced a sectoral emissions ceiling for agriculture of 25 per cent by 2030. Thomas Bin...

12 Aug 2022

Pig abattoir numbers in England continue to decline

The latest figures show that just 87 slaughterhouses killed pigs in 2021, 6 fewer than in 2020 and 38 fewer than a decade ago. The number of specialists plants* has also reduced, now standing at 11, down 1 from 2020 and 5 fewer than a decade ago. These specialist plants accoun...

12 Aug 2022

GB pig prices for week ending August 6, 2022

AHDB Pork’s weekly pig prices, slaughter data and commentary for Great Britain The EU spec SPP stood at 196.46/kg for the week ending August 6, a marginal increase of 0.60/kg on the previous week. Although the SPP is still creeping up week-on-week, AHDB said it is still fall...

12 Aug 2022

Pilgrim’s UK Lamb launches, with ambitions to reinvent British lamb

Pilgrim’s UK has now officially launched its lamb business, which will ‘connect a country wide lamb supply chain, bringing farmers and customers closer together’. This latest step for Pilgrim’s UK follows the company’s 2021 acquisition of Randall Parker Food’s ...

12 Aug 2022

Turkish President announces meat sales discount

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that the government will initiate a new discount in sales of meat to curb the high prices in the market. “We will start selling cattle with a 30-35 percent discount. This will also align those who upset the balance of the ma...

12 Aug 2022

Beyond Meat reports revenue loss

Beyond Meat has reported that net revenues were down 1.6% year-on-year as the company prepares to cut 4% of its global workforce, according to its latest trading statement. Founded in 2009, Beyond Meat is a plant-based meat company with products available at approximately 183,...

12 Aug 2022

RSPCA calls for a ban on exporting non-stunned meat

UK meat which has been slaughtered without being stunned beforehand should be banned from export. According to animal welfare charity RSPCA, in recent years the number of animals slaughtered without stunning has been falling – but the proportion of those being exported to ot...

10 Aug 2022

Pork Processor throughputs stall but market prices see positive boost – TVC

Thames Valley Cambac’s (TVC) pig marketing summary, for the week concluding August 7, shows that GB and European pig prices saw a positive boost regardless of slowing throughputs and sales. GB SPP was up 1.58p from a week ago, for a figure of 195.86p; Tribune Spot Bacon ...

10 Aug 2022

Farmers fed up of being ‘easy target’ for emissions cuts

10 Aug 2022

Love lamb week returns with ‘naturally delicious’ theme

The annual week-long celebration of UK lamb will be returning next month for an eighth year, with sheep producers set to shine a light on the sustainability of their sector. Love Lamb Week, running from 1-7 September, aims to remind consumers of the taste and quality that UK l...

08 Aug 2022

Dutch government plans to drastically cut livestock numbers

Dutch farmers are continuing to protest over the government’s plans to cut emissions, which will see more than half of livestock farmers having to give up or drastically slim down their businesses. Recently, farmers in the Netherlands have blockaded food distribution...

08 Aug 2022

GB pig prices for week ending July 30

AHDB Pork’s weekly pig prices, slaughter data and commentary for Great Britain The GB deadweight EU-Spec SPP rose by 1.58p in the week ending July 30, to reach 195.86p/kg. The estimated number of clean pigs saw a slight increase on last week to 177,600 head, a 1% increase i...

08 Aug 2022

The UK-USA pork export trade is proving prosperous in 2022

The latest HMRC figures show that the UK’s pork exports to the USA, between January and April of this year, nearly doubled on 2021 figures; making the US the third largest export market for UK pork. In the first four months of 2022, UK pork exports to the USA were worth�...

08 Aug 2022

FSA considers rule change for meat during Muslim holiday

A Food Standards Agency (FSA) consultation is looking at changing the rules around the sale of meat during a religious festival. Qurbani is a religious practice that takes place during Eid al-Adha. Some Muslims prefer to collect meat and offal shortly after slaughter as this s...

08 Aug 2022

Seasonal pressure on lamb prices continues

In the week ending 3rd August, the GB NSL liveweight SQQ dropped slightly to average 243.88p/kg, down 4.36p from last week. Reports indicate that well covered animals were still commanding plenty of interest and the best prices, but lighter, less-finished animals weighed on a...

08 Aug 2022

French sheep farmers warn against EU/NZ trade deal

A PROPOSED trade deal between New Zealand and the EU would see 38,000 tonnes lamb arrive at half the price of its competitors, French farming leaders have warned. The president of the French National Sheep Federation, Michèle Boudoin, warned: “This agreement foresees se...

08 Aug 2022

EU sheep prices remain firm

Despite recording some seasonal pressure recently, GB finished lamb prices remain at historically high levels. Throughput for the year-to-date is slightly up on last year, indicating that there is no shortage in supply, with production forecast to remain higher for the rest o...

03 Aug 2022

Saudi Arabia bans Polish poultry products

RIYADH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has imposed a temporary ban on the import of poultry meat, table eggs, and their products and equipment from the Wielkopolskie region of Poland. The authority’s move came after receiving an immediate notification report i...

03 Aug 2022

Beyond Meat sales under threat as plant-based boom withers

Aug 3 (Reuters) – Beyond Meat Inc is headed for an unappetizing second quarter as the plant-based food craze withers in the face of several weak product tests at restaurants and mediocre reviews. Analysts have slashed forecasts for Beyond Meat’s sales on supply-ch...

02 Aug 2022

First UK pork exports heading to Chile this month

British pork will be heading to Chile this month, to complete the first commercial export order since market access was granted in March 2022. The new agreement granted access for 27 UK pork processing sites to export to Chile, with AHDB estimating that the market access ...

25 Jul 2022

Extinction Rebellion blocks Avara Foods site

Extinction Rebellion protesters have blocked the entrance to a poultry firm in Hereford. The environmental group gathered with banners from about 06:00 BST in front of an Avara Foods site in Allensmore where chickens are reared. Avara Foods supplies poultry to UK supermarkets ...

22 Jul 2022

AHDB to host US lamb importers visit to the UK

Five of America’s most respected red meat importers will join AHDB on a five-day mission next week to explore opportunities for UK lamb, ahead of the first commercial exports. On Sunday, a delegation of importers and processors from the eastern region of the US, will be arri...

21 Jul 2022

German court rejects case against meat industry restrictions

BERLIN — Germany’s highest court said Wednesday it has thrown out complaints against a ban on the use of subcontractors in slaughterhouses that was prompted by coronavirus outbreaks early in the pandemic. The Federal Constitutional Court said it rejected complaints by a sa...

20 Jul 2022

Australia raises guard against FMD after Indonesia cases

SYDNEY, July 20 (Reuters) – Australia on Wednesday said it has stepped up protection against foot and mouth disease at its international airports following an outbreak of the disease in Indonesia. Travellers arriving in Australia from Indonesia will now be asked to walk ...

20 Jul 2022

Down Under: Electronic ear tags for millions of sheep backed by NSW to prepare for FMD

The NSW government has thrown its support behind the urgent development of mandatory electronic ID tags for millions of sheep and goats to ensure any outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) can be traced. Australian cattle are already individually tagged but millions of she...

20 Jul 2022

UK ministers accused of failing to fight for farmers with NZ trade deal

Welsh farmers’ leaders have criticised the UK Government’s new trade deal with New Zealand and says ministers have failed “to fight for the interests of our farmers”. The government is also accused of blocking scrutiny of the deal which is currently awaiting MP’s app...

13 Jul 2022

Seasonal worker visa scheme for poultry confirmed until 2024

The seasonal worker visa scheme for poultry has been confirmed until 2024, following efforts by the NFU to engage with Defra and the Home Office. On 5 July, Defra and the Home Office hosted an online meeting, which was attended by poultry businesses and NFU chief poultry advis...

13 Jul 2022

GB liveweight lamb prices jump up

For the week ending 6 July, the GB liveweight NSL SQQ stood at 317.54/kg, over 15p/kg above the previous week. The SQQ for OSL stood at 231.99/kg, just over 14p/kg above the previous week. An estimated 132,500 lambs (NSL & OSL) were sold at auction markets during the week,...

13 Jul 2022

Pig prices up again, lighter weights

The GB EU-Spec deadweight SPP rose by 2.49p in the week ending 2 July, bringing it to 188.88p/kg. Estimated slaughter in the week ending 2 July was 172,500 head, nearly 4,000 more than last week, and 13,000 more than the same week last year. This brings annual clean pig slaugh...

13 Jul 2022

GB cattle prices still strong, numbers up.

In the week ending 2 July, GB deadweight cattle prices gained further ground despite more cattle coming forward. The average price for prime cattle procured deadweight in GB gained a further 1.8p on the week before to average 443.9p/kg, 45p above where it was this time a year ...

13 Jul 2022

UK ASF risk increased to ‘High’ from human mediated routes

The Government has increased the UK’s African swine fever (ASF) risk status in response in response to worrying new outbreaks in Germany, sparked by human spread. The virus has recently been confirmed in domestic pigs in a new region of Germany, in Emsland, Lower Saxony, r...

13 Jul 2022

Cost of living crisis driving down meat sales

The cost of living crisis is forcing consumers to cut back on their meat intake, according to AHDB analysis. Inflation is now neck and neck with health as the top driver of meat reduction, the levy board says. Consumers who believe that beef and red meat currently have good pr...

11 Jul 2022

Poor demand continues to frustrate pork market

Poor demand for pork and low prices in Europe are continuing to hold back the UK pork market, according to Thames Valley Cambac. Today, the Tribune bacon price edged towards £2/kg, hitting 196.5p/kg, while the SPP was up another 2.49p to 188.9p/kg last week – a new record, ...

08 Jul 2022

USA – 4 largest beef accused processors of price fixing

OMAHA, Neb. — The nation’s largest food distributor has joined the other businesses accusing the four largest meat processors of working together to inflate beef prices. Sysco recently filed a federal lawsuit in Texas accusing Tyson Foods, JBS, Cargill and National Beef of...

07 Jul 2022

AHDB to review all pork services

AHDB is reviewing all its services for pork levy payers, as it faces up to a future with a reduced levy and undergoes a restructure following the recent Shape the Future vote. The pork levy, which totalled around £9m in 2021/22, is under pressure two fronts. HMRC informed AHD...

07 Jul 2022

Brazilian beef exports booming

Brazilian exports of beef during the second half of the year should keep their bullish pace anticipates a report from Netherlands Rabobank, given the strong demand from China, United States, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, reflected in an estimated 10% tonnage increase ove...

06 Jul 2022

FMD casts shadow over Eid festival in Indonesia

JAKARTA, July 6 (Reuters) – An outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Indonesia threatens to disrupt a ritual of slaughtering animals to mark the festival of Eid al-Adha this year, with livestock traders in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation bemoaning low sa...

04 Jul 2022

Meat supply chain buckles down for a bumpy ride

2022 and beyond will go down as being among the most challenging periods for Scotland’s red meat sector since the industry faced the foot-and-mouth outbreaks of 2001 and 2007 and the emergence of BSE in the 1980s. “Rising costs, continuing labour shortages and the challeng...

01 Jul 2022

NZ farmers disappointed in EU trade deal

WELLINGTON, July 1 (Reuters) – New Zealand dairy, sheep and beef farmers are largely disappointed by the newly signed New Zealand-European Union free trade agreement, lamenting it provides little new access to the profitable market for meat and dairy. The agreement, whic...

01 Jul 2022

Red Tractor loses beef and lamb members

The industry source who shared the figures, but wished to remain anonymous, added the data did not include those members who had left the scheme since it published its updated standards in November 2021. RT admitted there had been a decline in the number of beef and lamb produ...

01 Jul 2022

Sheep kill: Over 50,000 less lambs processed compared to this time last year

Last week’s sheep kill (week ending June 25) witnessed a decrease on the week before, with all categories of sheep seeing a decline in throughput. Spring lamb throughput once again broke 40,000 head last week, but was still back on the previous week, while hogget supplie...

01 Jul 2022

France to ban ‘meat’ names for items made with plants

France plans to ban the use of ‘meat’ names like “steak” and “sausage” on plant-based protein food, according to a new decree, in a bid to avoid confusion over the meat alternatives. France is the first country in the European Union to make ...

30 Jun 2022

EU opens up market to more NZ beef, lamb and dairy

The European Union and New Zealand completed negotiations on Thursday for a free trade agreement that could boost goods and services business between the two partners by 30pc. However, the EU will open up to more dairy products and beef from New Zealand, a sensitive area for s...

29 Jun 2022

Brazilian beef exports continue to flourish

In the first quarter of 2022 Brazil slaughtered a total of 6.96 million head of cattle, a 6% increase (+362,000 head) compared to 2021. The year-on-year increase in slaughter has driven beef production to increase 6% (+105,000 tonnes) to 1.84 million tonnes. Brazil is the worl...

29 Jun 2022

UK market opportunities for Australia

The Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UK FTA) was signed on 17 December 2021 and will open up new opportunities for Australian red meat exports after it enters into force, anticipated in the second half of 2022. In Q1 2022, MLA conducted three new research studi...

29 Jun 2022

Mexico meat processor’s mission to UK

One of Mexico’s largest meat processors recently journeyed to the UK to meet with pork industry leaders, to find out more about the UK pork sector following the £50 million UK-Mexico market access deal in 2021. Senior leaders from SuKarne took part in a two-day mission t...

29 Jun 2022

Butcher gets the chop for stealing a ton of meat

An employee at a Bedfordshire meat company who stole meat worth thousands of pounds escaped going to prison on Monday, June 27, 2022. Instead, Piotr Selonke from Poland, was given a suspended sentence and told he must pay £2,400 to his former employers, York House Meat Compan...

28 Jun 2022

Pork market improves slightly

The market improved slightly last week through better prices in places. However, other than the fresh meat market, driven by what seems to be a minor improvement in summer BBQ trade, generally demand was lacklustre with reduced kills, and some processors reporting very poor sa...

28 Jun 2022

Man jailed for involvement in illegal meat operation

A Ceredigion man living in Ireland has been extradited and sentenced after his involvement in illicit farming and trading of meat that was unfit for human consumption. Robert Thomas, 45, originally from Ferwig near Cardigan, was found to be part of an organised crime group (OC...

27 Jun 2022

Pork exports to the Philippines up on record year

Exports of pork from the UK to the Philippines reached almost £17 million in the first four months of 2022 – up 14% on the same period last year. According to the latest figures from HMRC, between January and April, the amount of pig meat shipped to the country in Southeast...

21 Jun 2022

Pork demand lukewarm, despite barbecue weather

Despite the obvious excellent barbecue opportunities encouraged by the current warm spell, demand was surprisingly subdued from many of the majors last, according to Thames Valley Cambac. Processor price contributions stood on, but other market fundamentals, such as SPP �...

21 Jun 2022

German pork production in decline

Data from the European Commission shows that Germany’s overall pork production has suffered as a result of the sector’s poor profitability and ASF pressures. Germany’s finished pig slaughter volumes fell 9% (790,000 head) year-on-year, in the first two months of 2022, ...

20 Jun 2022

Baths have higher carbon footprint than beef

Running a bath can have a higher carbon footprint than eating 4oz of British beef, the author of a new book has said. Jayne Buxton, whose work The Great Plant-Based Con advocates a common sense approach to diet, blamed the growth of the ‘epidemiology industry’ for an ‘...

20 Jun 2022

Emissions levy planned for New Zealand farms

New Zealand’s Government is considering proposals from its agricultural groups for a farm-level levy system on emissions from 2025. Farming organisations, including Beef and Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) and Dairy New Zealand, felt they had to make proposals or face the Governmen...

16 Jun 2022

Maelor Foods poultry plant jobs boost

Poultry processor Maelor Foods is looking to increase operations at its Pickhill Lane facility in Cross Lanes near Wrexham. There is the prospect of 125 additional jobs and a boost of £13 million to the Wrexham economy. The company – part of the wider Salisbury Poultry ...

16 Jun 2022

ASF discovered in domestic pigs in Italy

African swine fever (ASF) has been found in domestic pigs in Italy for the first time, delivering a major blow to the country’s pork sector. Two cases were detected on a farm in Rome’s Lazio region last week. The infected pigs were culled immediately, along with seven othe...

16 Jun 2022

Malaysia bans poultry exports

At a time when the price of poultry feed is historically high, and unpredictable hot weather has resulted in the death of day-old chicks due to heat stroke, Malaysia has banned the export of poultry products. Rising food prices since the second half of 2021 have led the Malays...

16 Jun 2022

Cull sow prices tumble on the back of over-supplied EU market

Cull sow prices are falling rapidly due to an over-supplied EU market, as rising finished pig prices are still no match for record costs. The news that the SPP had breached 180p for the first time in its history should, in normal times, be lauded by the industry, according to ...

16 Jun 2022

Councillors fight back in vegan meal row

Members are launching a local food fight back, after Oxfordshire County Council’s decision to switch to plant-based only menus has been called into question. Councillor Eddie Reeves will ask members at a full meeting of the council in July to reinstate meat and dairy on to t...

16 Jun 2022

Mild strength in cattle prices

As killing returned to normal in the week following the Jubilee bank holiday weekend, cattle prices stood their ground. In the week ending 11 June, the GB all-prime average gained 0.7p to 440.7p/kg. Overall, steer prices rose by 1.4p to 441.6p/kg, while those meeting the R4L s...

16 Jun 2022

GB pig prices for week ending June 11, 2022 – SPP picks up

The EU spec SPP rose in the week ending 11 June to 183.10p/kg, an increase of 2.53p on the week before. Estimated slaughter was up at 177,600 head, an increase of 15% on the week previous due to bank holidays. Carcase weights averaged 90.20kg/head, in line with weight record...

16 Jun 2022

France tests avian influenza vaccine

France has started a trial to vaccinate ducks against highly pathogenic avian influenza. The Ministry of Agriculture reports that 2 vaccines are being tested that can protect the birds against infection and prevent the virus from spreading. Minister Julien Denormandie had prev...

16 Jun 2022

Export demand fuels Irish cattle market

Robust demand from the UK and the EU has supported Irish cattle prices, despite more Irish cattle on the market during the first quarter of 2022. Irish cattle slaughter has been running ahead of 2021 levels during the first four months of 2022, according to data from Central S...

16 Jun 2022

Indonesia launches nationwide foot and mouth vaccinations

JAKARTA, June 13 (Reuters) – Indonesia will this week launch a nationwide livestock vaccination programme, its agriculture ministry said on Monday, as the number of cattle infected with foot and mouth disease surged to more than 151,000. Some of vaccines arrived on Sunda...

16 Jun 2022

Stark drop in pig numbers

Pig industry figures have called on Government to provide some ‘proper support’ to halt the decline in production as the industry contracts. New anonymised data from AgroVision, shared with the National Pig Association (NPA), has shown supplies will quickly switch from sur...

16 Jun 2022

Cattle hide prices remain subdued

The market for ox hides has changed little in recent weeks, according to The Sauer Report, although price reductions might be expected if Chinese buying remains weak. Italian tanners are reported to be well stocked, but with reduced sales orders of their own. However, UK suppl...

06 Jun 2022

Scotbeef director elected to lead Scottish meat wholesalers

Scotland’s meat wholesalers have elected Ian Bentley, a non-executive director of Scotbeef, as their new president. Mr Bentley acknowledged the challenges the industry faces which he said were common to both farmers and processers. However he said he was optimistic about the...

06 Jun 2022

Strong livestock prices offer respite as costs rise

Strong livestock prices at market continue to offer some respite for farmers in a period when the cost of agricultural inputs is rising sharply due to the price of energy and the war in Ukraine. Latest monthly analysis of trends in the lamb, beef and pork sectors by Hybu Cig C...

01 Jun 2022

New Zealand red meat sector concerned at reports of ‘weak’ EU offer

The NZ red meat sector is concerned at reports of a poor quality draft agricultural access offer from the European Union (EU) to New Zealand. A looming end of June deadline to conclude an Agreement in Principle was also a worry. European Trade Ministers were due to meet this w...

01 Jun 2022

Malaysia bans chicken exports

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Diners in Singapore are bracing for prices of their national chicken-and-rice dish to soar as neighbouring Malaysia prepares to block exports starting June 1st to increase supplies in its own markets and hold down surging prices. Prime Minister ...

31 May 2022

British beef breeds ‘unique selling point’ for US trade

The UK’s various cattle breeds are a ‘unique selling point’ and could be capitalised upon in future US trade, representatives from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) have said. Speaking exclusively to Farmers Guardian as part of the FALUK 2022 trip, Ethan...

30 May 2022

Swine fever warning after case confirmed near French border

African Swine Fever (ASF) has been detected on a German pig unit close to the French border – a 500km (311 miles) jump from previous known cases. The outbreak was in a small herd of outdoor pigs near Baden-Wuerttemberg, in western Germany. Scientists at the Friedrich-Löffle...

27 May 2022

Tesco gives £6.6m to pig producers following plea

UK pig farmers have welcomed a decision by Tesco, their biggest customer, to pay an extra £6.6m to pork producers. It follows a National Pig Association (NPA) letter to Tesco urging it to “do the right thing” and pay more or risk losing its British pork supply bas...

27 May 2022

British meat to boost Jubilee BBQs

A new drive to encourage people to buy British meat has been launched to tie-in with the Platinum Jubilee. AHDB’s ‘Royal up your BBQ’ campaign features a number of recipes designed to inspire consumers to use British beef, lamb and pork as part of their bank holiday cele...

25 May 2022

New Zealand sheep meat trade update

New Zealand has slaughtered 12.8million sheep and lambs in the first half of the 2021/22 season (which began in October), totalling 256,000 tonnes of sheep meat, down 14% on the same time last year. Exports of sheep meat for first half of the 2021/22 season totalled 200,858 to...

25 May 2022

China bans meat purchases from three Brazil exporters for a week

BRASILIA, April 15 (Reuters) – China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) has suspended imports from three Brazilian beef exporters – JBS SA, Marfrig and Naturafrig – for one week, the newspaper Valor Economico reported, citing a statement sent to...

25 May 2022

Co-op lifeline for UK pig farmers

Convenience retailer Co-op has called on other leading supermarkets to back UK pig farmers by selling more British produced pork. Pig farmers have been struggling since before the pandemic and around 60 per cent of the pork consumed in the UK is imported. Now more retailers ha...

23 May 2022

UK beef exports up nearly 50% year-on-year

UK exports of beef are up nearly 50 percent compared to the same period a year ago, new figures from HMRC show. The UK exported 12,600 tonnes of fresh and frozen beef in March, up 14% from February and up 46% compared to the same month a year ago. While significantly higher ye...

09 May 2022

Liveweight lamb prices ease

In the week ending 4 May, liveweight sheep prices lost some ground gained in previous weeks, with nearly all grades losing value apart from heavier spring lambs. The OSL SQQ averaged 271.1p/kg, down nearly 8p from the previous week, while the NSL SQQ lost nearly 6p to average ...

09 May 2022

Waitrose announces £16 million package to support pig prices

Waitrose has announced a further support package for its British pork farmers worth up to £16m to ensure prices paid for pigs to cover producers’ soaring costs of production. The retailer said the move means it will cover the full cost of rearing and producing pigs – in...

09 May 2022

Expansion plans for Bowland Foods

A family-run meat supplier in Preston is looking to expand its premises due to the “underlaying pressure upon the meat processing industry”. Bowland Food’s Ltd is a meat-cutting plant where chilled animal carcasses are readied for further cutting and processi...

09 May 2022

China meat imports drop 36% on year in April

BEIJING: China imported 592,000 tonnes of meat in April, down 35.7 per cent from the same month a year earlier, customs data showed on Monday (May 9), as a surge in domestic pork output curbed appetite for shipments from abroad. Imports have also been impacted by strained logi...

03 May 2022

Brazil meat exporters face hurdles shipping product via Shanghai

SAO PAULO, April 20 (Reuters) – Brazil’s ABPA, a lobby group representing large pork and chicken processors said on Wednesday its member companies are facing difficulties shipping products through the Port of Shanghai. The statement, sent in response to a question ...

03 May 2022

Shanghai lockdown sends chill down meat trade

BEIJING, May 2 (Reuters) – The protracted lockdown in Shanghai, China’s financial hub, is slowing the nation’s normally booming meat trade, with stringent COVID-19 measures causing logistics logjams across the food industry in a sign of the broadening disrupt...

26 Apr 2022

Russian army targets food production in Ukraine

An Eastern European agricultural organisation has issued a plea to farmers and agricultural companies across Europe to help get aid to Ukraine, where Russian troops have stepped up attacks on the farming sector. Maksym Kryvonis, executive director of the Eastern European Agric...

26 Apr 2022

EU beef price surpasses UK – Irish price lags behind

The European (EU) average beef price has now surpassed that of the UK’s, while Irish price remains well behind, according to data from Bord Bia. The Irish food board’s cattle price dashboard’s most recent data from April 2, shows that Irish beef price is running 40c/kg b...

26 Apr 2022

Irish pig producers to receive new aid package

Irish pig producers will receive a further aid package worth around €13m (£10.9m) as farmers there continue to see losses due to surging costs. The new package will provide farmers up to €70,000 (£58.9k), but access to it is conditional on them cutting production by 10%,...

13 Apr 2022

Pig prices must continue to rise – TVC

As new figures highlight the staggering losses pig producers are currently enduring, the need for pig price increases becomes even more stark, according to Thames Valley Cambac. AHDB estimates the current reported cost of production at 203-216p/kg on the back of soaring feed...

13 Apr 2022

Seasonal boost for lamb

Easter and the Islamic festivals have provided a boost to both prime lamb and cull sheep prices across the UK. Prime lamb prices have reached the highest levels since the festive period. In Scotland, the market cleared 268p/kg in the week to April 6, according to Quality Meat ...

13 Apr 2022

Producers losing up to £61/pig, as costs soar beyond £2/kg

Pig producers are currently losing, on average, between £46 and £61 per slaughter pig, with costs of production typically above the £2/kg mark, according to AHDB. These staggering losses and costs of up to 216p/kg highlight yet again the urgent need for pig prices to rise ...

13 Apr 2022

ASF detected in Malaysia

The Negri Sembilan Veterinary Services Department (JPVNS) has confirmed that the African Swine Fever (ASF) was detected at a farm in Kampung Baru Tanah Merah Site A, in the town of Port Dickson, Malaysia. According to a report from Malay Mail, Datuk Bakri Sawir, the State...

13 Apr 2022

Cull cows break 350p/kg deadweight

The overall average deadweight cow price in GB reached 351.6p/kg in the week ending 9 April, up another 12p on the week before. The measure was up 78p from the same week in 2021. The number of cows slaughtered during the week at British abattoirs was estimated to be 9,200...

11 Apr 2022

Hauliers want priority for perishable goods at Dover

UK hauliers carrying perishable goods say products are losing quality and value as they are forced to sit in long queues to cross into Europe at Dover. Bad weather, Easter holidays and P&O Ferries routes being suspended have all led to congestion around the port. The queue...

04 Apr 2022

UK beef exports to US frozen

UK beef exports to the US are frozen for the remainder of 2022, with the blockage set to hit UK exporters. The UK transported 2,574 tonnes of beef worth £11 million in 2021 and £1.3 million in January 2022, but the US quota for this year has already been filled. Dr Phil Hadl...

23 Mar 2022

UK red meat exports up on pre-pandemic levels

Exports of red meat from the UK were worth more than £1.45 billion in 2021 – up £33 million on pre-pandemic levels despite a challenging year for exporters. Many markets increased imports of UK red meat, in particular in Asia, figures by AHDB show, despite a number of fact...

23 Mar 2022

Cull cow prices up, up and away

In recent weeks, cull cow prices have been climbing, with the GB overall cow price reaching a record breaking high last week. In the most recent week, ended 12 March, the price climbed a further 7p, to 316.7p/kg. Meanwhile, the GB all prime average increased 2.1p, to 410.8p/kg...

23 Mar 2022

Sheep prices dip

Finished lamb prices fell in the latest week. The GB liveweight OSL SQQ was 259.10p/kg in the week ending 16 March, down half a penny on a week earlier. Good supplies were available; auction market throughputs were 7% higher than a week ago, at 114,400 head. Deadweight prices ...

23 Mar 2022

Warning of 15% inflation as feed prices soar

Food security is set to crumble in light of potential hyper-inflation caused by the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to the boss of the UK’s largest poultry manufacturing company. Ronald Kers, 2 Sisters Food Group CEO, said he believed hyper-inflation could be the highest...

23 Mar 2022

GB deadweight pig prices

The UK-spec SPP rose to 136.24p/kg for the week ending 12 March, an increase of 0.41p/kg from the week before. Although reports suggest some processors have substantially increased their weekly contributions, as these sometimes only form part of the contract price, it will tak...

23 Mar 2022

Ukraine conflict prompts feed shortage

ROME, March 18 (Reuters) – Carlo Vittorio Ferrari, who runs a farm holding 2,000 pigs with his brother near the town of Cremona in northern Italy, fears his fourth generation family business could be lost due to conflict in Ukraine. The country is a major global supplier...

23 Mar 2022

KFC and McDonald’s halt operations in Russia

Yum! Brands, the parent company of fried chicken chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), as well as McDonald’s, have announced the suspension of operations in Russia. “This action builds on our decision to suspend all investment and restaurant development in Russia and redirec...

23 Mar 2022

Pig producers welcome big Morrisons price increase

Pig producers have hailed Morrisons and urged other retailers to follow suit after it significantly increased the price it pays to its farmers. Morrisons will increase the weekly contribution paid by its processor Woodheads by a massive 30p to 180p per kg. Other processors wer...

23 Mar 2022

AHDB predicts weakening of EU pig prices

The Agriculture and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) has predicted a weakening of EU pig prices in the months ahead as farmers are thought to have held back pigs from slaughter in anticipation of higher prices. The speculation rests on the idea that EU producers have ...

21 Mar 2022

Russia destroys Ukraine’s poultry industry

Ukraine poultry companies report major losses caused by the Russian invasion and direct attacks on poultry production assets and warehouses. Ukraine’s largest egg producer, Avangard, said that the Russian aggression caused significant losses in production capacity, with seve...

17 Mar 2022

Ukraine war: Meat sector braces for renewed market volatility

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to renewed market turbulence across the red meat supply chain, new analysis by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) shows. After two years of market volatility caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic, some may have hoped for a quieter ...

17 Mar 2022

UK secures pork market access to Chile

UK pork is to be exported to Chile for the first time. The new deal is estimated to be worth £20million over the first five years. Authorities have today (March 17) given the green light to 27 pork processing sites from across the UK to start commercial exports. The UK has an...

17 Mar 2022

UK pork trade continues to struggle against global pressures

The UK pork trade continues to struggle on the main stage as issues including waning Chinese demand and oversupply within the EU persist into 2022, according to a report from AHDB. UK pig meat exports were down by 11% in January on the previous month as the country struggles...

16 Mar 2022

Banham Poultry takeover may have broken competition rules

The takeover of Banham Poultry by Boparan Private Office (BPO) hangs in the balance as the deal may have broken market competition rules. The Competitions and Market Authority (CMA) is investigating whether the takeover of the Attleborough poultry firm would result in the...

15 Mar 2022

New MD for Soanes Poultry

Yorkshire-based Soanes Poultry has recruited its next managing director from within the business. Ben Lee, the current director of sales and marketing will succeed Nigel Upson when he retires after 10 years in his post. Lee joined the family business in 2008 after completing h...

15 Mar 2022

Russia to ban more meat imports

Russia has extended the number of companies from which it no longer will obtain poultry meat or pork. In total around 70 companies have their name on a black list. Meanwhile the import ban on poultry meat and pork is costing more than €100 million, EU administrators said. Co...

15 Mar 2022

Ripon online butcher acquired

INVERLEITH, the Edinburgh-based investment company, has expanded its portfolio by acquiring a majority stake in a Yorkshire online butchery specialist. Ripon-based Farmison declared it now has the “backing to take the business to the next stage” further to the deal, whic...

14 Mar 2022

Butchers JC Rook & Sons goes into administration

One of Kent’s oldest and biggest butchery firms with 11 shops across the county has gone into administration, putting more than 130 jobs at risk. JC Rook & Sons has been established for more than 55 years after opening its first butchers in Dover in 1965. But today a...

07 Mar 2022

Lamb prices fall well below last year’s levels

Deadweight lamb prices are under pressure, dropping for a second consecutive week to put them 43p/kg below the same week last year. The GB SQQ for the week ending 26 February averaged 570.9p/kg, a decrease of 15.1p/kg on the previous week, according to the AHDB. Throughput for...

07 Mar 2022

Plans for new Scotbeef abattoir remain on hold

Plans to build a new abattoir in the north-east of Scotland will remain on hold, Scotbeef Inverurie has confirmed in its latest accounts. The company – which is jointly owned by Scotland’s largest red meat processor JW Galloway and north-east farmers’ co-operative ANM...

02 Mar 2022

UK-NZ trade deal criticised by farmers

Farmers are expressing their deep concerns following the signing of a free trade deal between the UK and New Zealand on Monday (February 28). Hailed by the government as a deal that will slash red tape for companies exporting their goods, British farmers have pointed out the U...

21 Feb 2022

Education Secretary: ‘Families decide if meat is part of child’s diet, not schools’

The Education Secretary has expressed concern with schools that have banned meat from their lunch menus, declaring the issue is ‘for families to decide’. The news comes as parents at Barrowford Primary School in Lancashire were told earlier this month that meat was ban...

19 Feb 2022

‘Scotch premium’ for beef takes hit in processing sector

Increased supply and bottlenecks in the processing sector have contributed to the recent loss of the “Scotch premium” for beef, which traditionally saw prices for cattle born and bred in Scotland stand higher than those in the rest of the UK, it has been claimed. With pric...

17 Feb 2022

Saudi Arabia lifts Irish beef export restrictions

Saudi Arabia has lifted restrictions on age limits associated with Irish beef exports to the desert kingdom. Following meetings with Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority agreed in principle to lift the current restriction which mea...

17 Feb 2022

Pig sector urges retailers to copy Waitrose’s price pledge

The pig sector has urged UK retailers to follow Waitrose after it made a fresh pledge to pay farmers a fair price during the backlog crisis. Waitrose said it would be extending its commitment to pay a ‘fair and sustainable’ minimum price for pork to all of its pig ...

14 Feb 2022

AHDB challenges council’s plans to ditch meat and dairy

AHDB has challenged Oxfordshire County Council’s plans to ban meat and dairy from council events, as the move ‘fails to reflect’ the true impact of UK farming. Oxfordshire County Council is seeking to move toward providing only plant-based food at future coun...

14 Feb 2022

Waitrose pledges renewed support for troubled pig sector

Waitrose has announced it will strengthen its emergency support package to help pig farmer suppliers as the backlog crisis worsens. The move comes amid growing concerns over the pig sector, which is facing the biggest crisis it has seen in a generation. The current estimate is...

10 Feb 2022

Mixed week for deadweight cattle prices

There was a small drop in the GB all-prime average deadweight cattle price for week ending 5 February, down 0.6p to 405.1p/kg. Despite this drop, the all-prime price is still 28.3p above the same week a year ago and 52.4p above the 5-year average. Although steers and heifers�...

10 Feb 2022

Summit held to address ‘desperate’ crisis facing pig industry

Pig farmers are in a “desperate” position – with culls of thousands of healthy animals and producers quitting the industry, they warned as a summit was held on the crisis. Farmers demonstrated outside a meeting in York on Thursday as industry representatives met with t...

10 Feb 2022

Lamb price firmness remains

In the week ending 9 February, the GB old season lamb liveweight SQQ averaged 267.3p/kg, 2.2p lower than the week before. The measure stood at just over 4p below the price recorded for the same week a year ago. Despite this, it was still over 50p/kg dearer than the five-year a...

10 Feb 2022

Parliament urged to reject Australia deal

National Beef Association chief executive Neil Shand has called on Parliament to reject the Australia trade deal in a bid to force the Government back into negotiations. Speaking to Farmers Guardian after appearing before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) commit...

10 Feb 2022

China suspends Lithuanian beef as Taiwan row grows

BEIJING/VILNIUS (Reuters) -China suspended imports of beef, dairy and beer from Lithuania this week, Lithuania’s veterinary control agency said on Thursday, amid a growing trade dispute over the Baltic nation’s relations with Taiwan. China’s General Administration of Cus...

09 Feb 2022

Randall Parker Foods: 20 new jobs at Powys abattoir

A meat processing company is looking for people to fill 20 new job vacancies at its abattoir near Llanidloes. Randall Parker Foods is seeking new recruits to train for a variety of posts, ranging from the slaughterline and butchers to quality assurance supervisor. The Dolwen m...

09 Feb 2022

Abattoir plans £15m expansion in Bamber Bridge

Dunbia has applied for planning permission for a new beef chilling unit and other modernisation works on its site at Walton Summit to add to the £20m it has already spent there in the past two years. The plans will go before South Ribble’ s planning committee on Thursd...

07 Feb 2022

Brechin abattoir takeover boosts pig sector confidence.

The cloud of uncertainty hanging over the future of Scottish pig processing has been lifted following the purchase of Brechin abattoir by Browns Food Group. The specialist pig slaughterhouse, which employs around 100 staff, has been owned by Quality Pork Ltd (QPL), in a close ...

03 Feb 2022

Defra agrees to urgent summit with pig sector as crisis deepens

The government has agreed to convene an emergency summit of the entire pig supply chain as the sector’s crisis deepens. Defra farming minister Victoria Prentis today agreed to the joint National Pig Association (NPA) and NFU request for a roundtable event amid a worsenin...

03 Feb 2022

NZ Red Meat Sector Achieves Record Exports During 2021

New Zealand’s red meat sector exports reached $10 billion in 2021 despite the disruption caused by COVID-19, according to an analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA). The exports represented a nine per cent increase on 2020. The value of red meat and co-products expor...

03 Feb 2022

Eustice puts pig crisis onus on processors

Defra Secretary George Eustice has told a committee of MPs that the Government is ‘limited’ in what it can do to support pig producers during their time of crisis. Instead, Mr Eustice put the onus very much on pork processors to do more to increase their throughput and red...

03 Feb 2022

Butcher shortage leaves pigs stuck on farms

A shortage of butchers means thousands of pigs otherwise ready for slaughter are stuck on farms across Britain. Meat specialist Cranswick is talking to the government about special waivers to get more butchers and slaughterhouse workers into Britain to deal with the pro...

03 Feb 2022

Lamb exports to the EU will return to pre-Brexit levels, says Eustice

Defra Secretary George Eustice has claimed lamb exports to the EU will return to pre-Brexit levels in future. British sheepmeat exports to the bloc have fallen by 25 per cent since the UK left the EU, with industry leaders blaming the sharp drop on non-tariff barriers such as ...

30 Jan 2022

Reduced abattoir throughputs may impact future trading patterns

Reduced throughputs at UK abattoirs will have a knock-on impact on future trading patterns, industry chiefs have warned. It comes as tight supplies of cattle and sheep have supported the continuing trend of above-average market prices into the first month of 2022. But last y...

29 Jan 2022

Irish pork exports to China hit record high in 2021

Ireland exported a record high of 215 million euros (US$239 million) worth of pork to China in 2021, a year-on-year rise of 8 percent. That represented 40 percent of its pork exports. Conor O’Sullivan, China manager of Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, said 2021 was of gre...

25 Jan 2022

Lamb makes resurgence among consumers as sales soar

Lamb is making a resurgence among consumers, with sales of roasting joints soaring during the last two festive periods. Most proteins saw roasting joints or whole cut volumes decline on the heights of 2020 but lamb was the exception, up 0.9 per cent and 3.3 per cent on Christm...

19 Jan 2022

Several countries ban pig meat imported from Italy following ASF cases

China, Japan, Taiwan, and Kuwait have all announced bans on pig meat imported from Italy after several cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) were reported in wild boar in the Piemonte region in Northern Italy. The countries have reportedly blocked purchases of pork from Ital...

19 Jan 2022

Farmers – culling of healthy pigs criminal

Farmers in East Yorkshire are warning they could be forced out of business if the government doesn’t do more to boost staff numbers in the supply chain. It comes as a lack of abattoir workers meant 10,000 pigs were culled in the region in the run-up to Christmas. With...

19 Jan 2022

Small abattoirs likely to benefit from public funding – Defra official

Speaking at an Oxford Real Farming Conference (ORFC) event on January 7, the department’s head of agricultural sectors, John Powell, said he was hopeful they would find a way to ensure small abattoirs can access cash through the Farming Investment Fund, which provides grants...

19 Jan 2022

Brexit fails to deliver for small abattoirs

The EU imposition of veterinary inspection fees, for example, has been widely touted as having a damaging effect on the sector. John Mettrick, who owns a small abattoir in Derbyshire and holds key positions in the Abattoir Sector Group and National Craft Butchers, told Farmer...

11 Jan 2022

Lamb puts Australia back on the map

Meat & Livestock Australia’s highly anticipated Australian lamb summer campaign is back in a new TV commercial that celebrates Australia reuniting with the rest of the world after years of isolation. An Australian tradition, the annual lamb campaigns have built a str...

11 Jan 2022

China suspends Canadian beef imports after mad cow discovery

CALGARY – A cattle industry group says it is hopeful a newly imposed import ban on Canadian beef by China and two other Asian countries will be temporary. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association confirmed Tuesday that China – which imports approximately $170 mil...

10 Jan 2022

African swine fever found in wild boar in Italy

Jan 7 (Reuters) – African swine fever, a deadly hog disease, has been found in a wild boar in Italy’s Piedmont region, the regional government said in a statement on Friday. Tests confirmed the disease in a dead boar in Ovada, located about 120 km southwest of Mila...

10 Jan 2022

Kenilworth abattoir set for ‘major expansion’

A Kenilworth abattoir is hoping to begin a “major expansion” just to stay in business following the impact of Brexit. Farmers Fresh on Rouncil Lane has applied to build a new refrigeration unit needed to make sure the business can cope with new regulations on storage times...

05 Jan 2022

JBS buys Aussie pork processor Rivalea

Brazilian meat company JBS has finalised a deal to buy leading Australian pork processing company Rivalea. The deal was opposed by farmers concerned about a loss of competition, but it was approved by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Foreign In...

05 Jan 2022

U.S Meat industry knocks Biden plan for federal spending

President Biden’s proposal to lower consumer beef prices misses the mark on why costs have increased, the country’s largest meat industry trade group said Monday. Sarah Little, a spokeswoman for the North American Meat Institute, said labour shortages and shutdowns of meat...

03 Jan 2022

Ad watchdog rejects vegans’ complaint over meat advert

The UK’s advertisement watchdog has rejected complaints by vegan groups that AHDB’s recent meat and dairy adverts were misleading the public. The complaint, made by the Vegan Society and numerous others, surrounded AHDB’s recent £1.5 million advertisement ca...

03 Jan 2022

Northern Ireland lamb returns to US market after rule change

Northern Ireland lamb is back on the menu in the United States of America from Monday. Restrictions on UK imports, in place for more than 20 years, were lifted last month. That came after the US Department of Agriculture amended its Small Ruminant Rule (SRR) to allow trade to ...

03 Jan 2022

1,500 Irish butcher shops close in 30 years

The number of independent butcher shops in Ireland fell by 65% over an almost 30-year period, according to the coordinators of a butchery apprenticeship programme. There were around 2,300 independent butcher shops in Ireland in 1990, but by 2019 that figure had fallen to about...

03 Jan 2022

GB lamb prices bounce back

After faltering for the past two weeks, liveweight lamb prices have again moved upwards this week. In the week ended 22 December the GB liveweight NSL SQQ increased by almost 9p, to 280.43p/kg. Throughputs were slightly lower than in other recent weeks at 115,000 head, refle...

03 Jan 2022

Pig prices stable in the latest week

Finished pig prices remained broadly unchanged in the week ending 11 December. The EU-spec SPP rose 0.01p to 141.82p/kg. At this level the SPP is nearly 7p lower than the same week last year. At 194,100 head, estimated throughput was 6% higher than the week before but 1% below...

03 Jan 2022

Argentina extends export suspension of some beef cuts

BUENOS AIRES, Jan 3 (Reuters) – Argentina on Monday extended its suspension of exports of some beef cuts with little international demand until the end of 2023, a measure previously agreed with the sector. “The measures contribute to generating a balance between th...

02 Jan 2022

German Farmers Give Up Pig Keeping

The number of pigs on German farms has fallen to the lowest in 25 years and more farmers are giving up keeping them because of weak demand and low pork prices, Germany’s national statistics office has said. Germany’s pork market has suffered this year from disruption to...

31 Dec 2021

Welsh red meat sector releases ‘Little Book of Meat Facts’

A pocket-sized booklet full of facts, figures and trends for the Welsh lamb, beef and pork industries has been released. The latest statistical guide to Wales’ red meat industry has been launched by industry levy body Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC). The ‘Lit...

31 Dec 2021

Tyson Foods to spend $1.3 billion on automation

CHICAGO, Dec 9 (Reuters) – Tyson Foods Inc plans to spend more than $1.3 billion to increase automation in meat plants over the next three years, Chief Executive Donnie King said on Thursday, as a U.S. labor shortage has limited production while demand is booming. Meat p...

21 Dec 2021

Government face farming fall-out over trade deals

FARMING bodies and opposition politicians in Wales have joined forces to condemn recent policy decisions and trade deals by the UK Government. And after the shock by-election defeat for the Conservatives in Shropshire, the Liberal Democrats are forecasting a revival in fortune...

21 Dec 2021

Australian beef producers welcome UK FTA

The Australian beef industry welcomes the Australia-UK free trade agreement (FTA), which will come into force in 2022, as it allows tariff-free entry to increasing Australian meat volumes into the UK over the next decade. The deal will diversify Australia’s export market...

19 Dec 2021

European supermarkets stop selling Brazil beef over deforestation links

SAO PAULO/AMSTERDAM, Dec 15 (Reuters) – Six European supermarket chains, including two owned by Dutch firm Ahold Delhaize and a Carrefour subsidiary, said on Wednesday they would stop selling some or all beef products from Brazil due to links with destruction of the ...

19 Dec 2021

Red meat ‘unfairly targeted’ in climate change debate

Red meat is being treated as a ‘scapegoat’ for health and climate change concerns, according to an internationally renowned dietician. Diana Rodgers RD, a ‘real food’ nutritionist and sustainability advocate, made the comments at Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Pro...

19 Dec 2021

Pork industry crisis intensifies as on farm culls rise

At least 30,000 pigs have now been culled on farm and will not enter the food chain as pig producers have run out of options. The National Pig Association (NPA) says that in reality, the number of animals culled is higher, since the 30,000 cases are only those reported to the ...

17 Dec 2021

AHDB to stop funding ‘financially established and self-sustaining’ Red Tractor

AHDB has said it will no longer provide its annual funding into Red Tractor as it was now a ‘financially established and self-sustaining’ body’. The levy body said it agreed to put levy funding into Red Tractor following an industry consultation in 2008, which backed the...

17 Dec 2021

UK Australia trade deal agreed

The trade deal between UK and Australia has been signed – but farmers have called it a “one-sided deal”. The deal was signed in a virtual ceremony by International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan last night (December 16) and will now be scrutinised by Pa...

10 Dec 2021

Russia resumes pork and beef imports from Brazil

Russia resumed the import of beef and pork from 12 Brazilian units in late November 2021, Brazil’s health security regulator reported. Most of the restrictions on Brazilian beef and pork had been in place since 2017. The reason was related to allegations of ractopamine usage...

10 Dec 2021

Hilton Food launches equity placing to fund Dutch Seafood acquisition

(Sharecast News) – Food packaging business Hilton Food Group said on Friday that it has agreed to acquire smoked salmon producer Dutch Seafood Company as part of an effort to expand its presence in a growing protein category and enter the US, a new geography for the firm...

10 Dec 2021

Argentina to loosen restrictions on beef exports

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 9 (Reuters) – Argentina will loosen export restrictions on beef that were put in place in a bid to curtail inflation and had been panned by meatpackers, the government said on Thursday after a meeting with industry groups. Argentina’s inflation ho...

10 Dec 2021

Tyson Foods plans to spend $1.3 billion to automate meat plants

CHICAGO, Dec 9 (Reuters) – Tyson Foods Inc plans to spend more than $1.3 billion to increase automation in meat plants over the next three years, Chief Executive Donnie King said on Thursday, as a U.S. labour shortage has limited production while demand is booming. Meat ...

10 Dec 2021

Brazil’s BRF aims at operating own China food factory

SAO PAULO, Dec 8 (Reuters) – Brazilian food processor BRF SA plans to start producing meat in China as part of an aggressive growth plan that could more than double annual net sales by 2030, executives said during a company presentation on Wednesday. BRF mainly serves th...

10 Dec 2021

GB pig prices – SPP continues to fall

AHDB Pork’s weekly pig prices, slaughter data and commentary for Great Britain. In the week ended 4 December, the EU-spec SPP fell again, by 0.72p, to 142.84p/kg. This puts the measure 8.2p below where it was at the same time last year, meanwhile feed prices have strength...

10 Dec 2021

Larry Goodman puts eldest son in key succession position

Businessman Larry Goodman has set up a supervisory board over his beef-to-property empire, putting his eldest son in a key succession position. The move puts order over the long-term direction of the Goodman family’s interests. Mr Goodman (84) has become chairman of the su...

10 Dec 2021

Calls to halt EU pork imports as ASF sweeps across Europe

Pork imports from EU countries with confirmed cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) must be halted or the domestic pig sector could face economic devastation. That was the message from NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy as he warned the Westminster Government that ASF was ‘m...

10 Dec 2021

Beef frozen out of global markets

Skyrocketing shipping price hikes have hit the ‘big five’ global meat exporters as Covid-19 continues to play havoc in global markets. Brazil, Australia, India, USA and Argentina were facing unprecedented increases according to the Platts Container Index as key global trad...

06 Dec 2021

RBST calls on Scottish Government to address ‘local abattoir crisis’

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) has accused the Scottish Government of overlooking the “local abattoir crisis” facing livestock producers in many parts of Scotland. RBST chief executive, Christopher Price, has written a letter to Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeo...

06 Dec 2021

US market to open doors to British lamb from 2022

Exports of British lamb to the US market can resume from next year after more than two decades of restrictions. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today confirmed it has amended the rule which currently prevents imports of lamb from the UK into the USA. The ame...

02 Dec 2021

108 companies have 25% of China’s sows

Just 108 companies now control a fourth of China’s swine production capacity, according to a list prepared for a recent swine industry forum. Unpredictable gyrations in China’s hog market continue with the influx of big pig farmers, contrary to the expectations of...

02 Dec 2021

Ads claiming plant-based diet made people stronger withdrawn

The Meatless Farm Company has been ordered to take down adverts which claimed a plant-based diet made people mentally and physically stronger. The adverts, which ran across social media in October, have been withdrawn following a complaint made to the Advertising Standards Aut...

02 Dec 2021

16,000 pigs culled on farms amid ‘worsening’ backlog

Around 16,000 pigs have been culled on UK farms as producers continue to take desperate measures in response to critical worker shortages in processing plants. The National Pig Association (NPA) said the situation facing the sector remained ‘bleak’ despite the gove...

25 Nov 2021

Lamb prices even higher

Liveweight lamb prices have continued to strengthen in the most recent week. Having fallen last week, this week prices gained back what was lost, and more. In the week ended 24 November the GB liveweight NSL SQQ rose by 4.4p to stand at 269.57p/kg. Throughputs slipped 3% week-...

25 Nov 2021

New protein gap opening in China?

Just over three years ago China had its first outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF). At the start of 2019, there was a large surge in Chinese import demand for protein as the market looked to fill the gap left by the decline in pork production. International beef and pork mark...

25 Nov 2021

‘Chicken king’ warns of serious food crisis

Great Britain may be facing its worst food crisis in 75 years. Shortages of chicken and turkey are already noticeable and worse is yet to come. The chicken and wider food industry have been hit by a perfect storm. That warning comes from Ranjit Singh Boparan, often nicknamed B...

25 Nov 2021

No downsides to New Zealand deal, says Trade Secretary

Anne-Marie Trevelyan said there will be ‘protections’ for farmers written into the agreement. The Trade Secretary said there “isn’t a downside” to the UK-New Zealand trade deal as she was challenged by MPs about the impact the agreement will have on British farmers. ...

25 Nov 2021

Russia reopens market to Brazil for beef and pork, zero-tariff

Russia announced to Brazil that it was reopening its market for a quota of up to 300,000 tons of meat, at zero tariffs, including 200,000 tons of beef and 100,000 tons of pork. Likewise, Russia lifted restrictions on beef exports from a Minerva processing plant and certified a...

16 Nov 2021

Germany sees new ASF outbreak

German authorities have confirmed a new outbreak of African swine fever in domestic pigs, dealing a serious blow to the country’s sector as the virus makes it way westward. The virus has been found in a fattening pig unit for the first time in the state of Mecklenburg-We...

16 Nov 2021

Lamb prices jump up

Throughout the past week lamb prices have increased sharply, with the weekly liveweight SQQ up almost 20p. During the week ending 10 November the GB NSL liveweight SQQ increased to 269.05p/kg. Such sharp movement is uncommon and usually follows, or is followed by a correction,...

16 Nov 2021

NPA calls for Eustice support to prevent the SPP from crashing

The NPA has called on George Eustice to support its calls for processors to accept ‘distressed kills’ of pigs on a liveweight basis to avert a catastrophic collapse of the Standard Pig Price (SPP). In a letter to the Defra Secretary, NPA chairman Rob Mutimer calls on ...

15 Nov 2021

Pilgrim’s UK buys Randall Parker Foods

Pilgrim’s UK, the world’s largest producer of higher welfare pork, has acquired quality lamb and beef supplier, Randall Parker Foods (RPF). RPF’s two manufacturing facilities – an abattoir in Powys processing up to 20,000 lambs a week and a retail packing plant in And...

11 Nov 2021

Beyond Meat signals more pain ahead – shares tumble 19%

Nov 10 (Reuters) – Beyond Meat Inc forecast fourth-quarter revenue below estimates on Wednesday, as the once red-hot plant-based meat maker reported slowing demand in both grocery stores and restaurants, driving its shares down 19% in extended trading. The company, whic...

11 Nov 2021

Pig throughput situation unlikely to improve before Christmas – TVC

The situation regarding pig numbers going through pork plants is unlikely to improve before Christmas, according to Thames Valley Cambac. While processors made public announcements regarding improved numbers, the reality was very different, TVC said in its latest weekly market...

11 Nov 2021

GB pig prices – SPP up again yoyo continues

AHDB Pork’s weekly pig prices, slaughter data and commentary for Great Britain The downward yo-yo pattern in GB finished pig prices continued during the week ended November 6, with the EU-spec SPP partially recovering from the larger decline last week. At 146.47p/kg, the ave...

10 Nov 2021

Calls for £6.12/kg dead as markets see lamb prices rocket

A 20-30p/kg jump in liveweight lamb values has prompted calls for processors to offer more than £6/kg for lambs to secure volume. Store lamb buyers will take heart from the early November rise after spending £85-£90 a head on long-term store lambs. Many say the strong trade...

10 Nov 2021

China reports African swine fever outbreak

PARIS, Nov 9 (Reuters) – China has reported an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) at a pig farm on the island province of Hainan in the southern part of the country, the Paris-based World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said on Tuesday. The outbreak on a farm of ...

10 Nov 2021

Investment in existing rather than new abattoirs the way forward

The case for a network of local abattoirs has been well made, including in a recent report by The Prince’s Countryside Fund, but it may not be a realistic proposition, according to a retail butcher. Stuart Minick, speaking at a panel session at the Scottish Smallholders’ F...

09 Nov 2021

Global food prices rising- but not for meat

The FAO’s latest Food Price Index for October indicates an increase in its international price index, up 3% on the previous month. After rising for three consecutive months, the index now stands at its highest level since July 2011. The latest increase was primarily led by...

09 Nov 2021

EU pig meat exports move lower

In July, EU pig meat exports moved clearly below the level a year earlier for the first time since December 2018, totalling 421,000 tonnes (including offal). Nonetheless, shipments for the first seven months of the year overall were still 10% higher year on year, at 3.5 millio...

08 Nov 2021

China’s meat imports drop to 20-month low in October

BEIJING, Nov 8 (Reuters) – China’s meat imports in October fell from a year ago to their lowest in 20 months, customs data showed on Sunday, as cheap domestic pork cut demand for overseas supplies. China brought in 664,000 tonnes of meat in October, down 12.8% from...

04 Nov 2021

Staff shortages see UK meat carcasses sent to EU for butchering

UK meat producers have started sending carcasses to the EU for butchering before re-importing them as they continue to combat a labour shortage. The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) say producers are sending beef to the Republic of Ireland amid local shortages of but...

30 Oct 2021

Hilton Food Group buys Fairfax Meadow for £23.8m

Hilton Food Group, which supplies Tesco with fresh food, has bought UK meat supplier Fairfax Meadows for some £23.8m. “This transaction is all about growth,” CEO Philip Heffer explained. “Fairfax Meadow represents a great opportunity for Hilton to expand into an adjacen...

28 Oct 2021

Brazilian beef shipments sent to China after embargo were blocked on arrival – sources

Oct 27 (Reuters) – Shipments of Brazilian beef have been stopped from entering China due to an embargo in place since two cases of mad cow disease were reported in the South American nation in early September, frustrating exporters who had hoped shipments certified befor...

27 Oct 2021

Supermarkets commit to backing British pork amid crisis

The vast majority of the UK’s major retailers have committed to backing British pork in response to an open letter calling for more support as the sector experiences the worst crisis in recent times. All the big retailers have now responded to the letter, sent by the Nationa...

27 Oct 2021

‘Immediate action’ taken after imported beef mislabelled as Welsh

Trading Standards and the red meat sector say they have taken ‘immediate action’ after imported Australian beef was mislabelled as Welsh in origin. The case of meat mislabelling, widely reported on social media in recent days, was found in Llechwedd Meats, located ...

16 Oct 2021

Pork industry ‘relieved’ as extra visas granted to foreign butchers

The government announced extra visas following warnings that up to 150,000 pigs could be killed as ‘waste’ There is “relief all round” in the pork industry after the Government announced an extra 800 visas for foreign butchers. The sector has called for more ac...

15 Oct 2021

Overseas butchers and abattoir workers to be granted six-month worker visas

Butchers and abattoir workers from overseas will be granted seasonal worker visas to deal with the backlog of pigs that need to be slaughtered, the government has announced. Agriculture Secretary George Eustice said about 800 pig butchers from overseas are needed to avoid a ma...

14 Oct 2021

Sales of red meat and dairy continue to rise

Sales of red meat and dairy continue to rise amid heightened public support for local and sustainable produce, figures show. Sales of red meat were up 7% in the 12 weeks ending 3 July 2021 compared to the same period pre-Covid in 2019. This increase was largely driven by sales...

14 Oct 2021

Asda fulfils promise to source 100% British beef

The National Beef Association (NBA) has congratulated Asda on fulfilling its commitment to supply 100 per cent British beef on its fresh meat counters. In an open letter to the joint owner of Asda, Mr Mohsin Issa, NBA chief executive Neil Shand referred to a letter sent to Asd...

14 Oct 2021

Government announces new agreement to ensure CO2 supplies

The Government has reached an agreement with the CO2 industry to ensure continuing supplies to UK businesses, including those in the food processing sector. CO2 suppliers have agreed to pay CF Fertilisers a price for the CO2 it produces that will enable it to continue operatin...

14 Oct 2021

Covid continues to limit EU beef production

Trade friction between the EU and UK is a key theme of the latest EU short-term outlook. Beef production within the EU is forecast to contract marginally, reflecting a reduction in both the suckler and dairy herds. Food service demand for beef has reduced. Ireland is the main...

14 Oct 2021

GB pig prices – partial recovery for SPP

AHDB Pork’s weekly pig prices, slaughter data and commentary for Great Britain. The EU-spec SPP moved back up in the week ended October 9, reaching 151.01p/kg. This was over 2p higher than the previous week, although prices remained a little below the 5-year average for the ...

14 Oct 2021

‘Food is too cheap’ – 2 Sisters president

Ranjit Singh Boparan said the days of feeding a family of four with a £3 chicken were coming to an end. Consumers are facing a ‘great food reset’ with less choice and higher prices. That was the message from 2 Sisters founder and President Ranjit Singh Boparan as he quest...

14 Oct 2021

Meat processor flying in Irish staff to keep kill lines going

A major meat processor has resorted to flying in Irish staff on a weekly basis to keep killing lines operational, amid serious labour shortages. Others have been forced to sacrifice lamb lines in a bid to keep beef ones open, or have had to send carcases to Ireland for process...

12 Oct 2021

Scots company to ease food industry reliance on CO2 from fertiliser production

A new source of food grade carbon dioxide (CO2) is due to come on stream as soon as this weekend, thanks to the initiative shown by brothers Richard and Ed Nimmons. Their Dry Ice Scotland company has attracted £4.5m of investment to allow it to refine gas already produced as ...

12 Oct 2021

Pig culling starts on ‘handful’ of farms across country

Culling has started on a ‘handful’ of pig farms across the country with fears this could become more widespread unless solutions to the crisis are found. About 600 pigs have been killed on farms already, according to the National Pig Association (NPA) which fears m...

12 Oct 2021

China bans UK beef after single case of BSE

China has announced a ban on imports of British beef from cattle under 30 months of age after a single case of BSE was recently confirmed in cattle in Somerset. The General Administration of Customs said in a statement posted on Chinese social media that the ban took effect fr...

06 Oct 2021

Proposals for new Scotbeef abattoir in balance due to planning conditions

Proposals for a new abattoir at the north-east’s largest mart hang in the balance due to planning conditions, a developer has claimed. Scotbeef Inverurie plans to relocate its £17million meat processing facility from the town’s North Street to a new site at Thainstone. Th...

06 Oct 2021

EU supplies UK with pork as British farmers cull their pigs

High volumes of cheap EU pork imports are flooding the UK market and undercutting British farmers just as the industry faces an unprecedented labour crisis, a leading supplier has said. A chronic shortage of butchers has caused a massive backlog of pigs on farms. And now low ...

06 Oct 2021

Red meat sector to see ‘challenging’ autumn and winter

Seasonal supply of livestock is expected to rise in the final quarter due to increased demand over the winter, but the current labour shortages in the red meat processing and transport sectors continue to remain a concern. This is according to the latest market commentary from...

05 Oct 2021

1,700 tonnes of frozen beef seized in Hong Kong smuggling raid

Hong Kong authorities have seized a record 1,700 tonnes of frozen meat worth HK$500 million that was destined for mainland China, police said on Tuesday. The haul, including mainly frozen beef and some offal, was found in 68 40ft shipping containers. The meat weighed the equiv...

04 Oct 2021

Quality Standard Mark (QSM) scheme to close

The Quality Standard Mark (QSM) is an assurance scheme currently funded by AHDB which guarantees consistent eating quality for beef and lamb carrying the Quality Standard Mark. AHDB has announced it is closing the QSM on 31 March 2022 and will no longer be signing up new membe...

04 Oct 2021

‘Out of touch’ Johnson accused of ignoring the plight of pig farmers

Boris Johnson has been accused of failing to take seriously the plight of pig farmers who face the prospect of having to cull tens of thousands of healthy animals due to an acute shortage of butchery and abattoir workers. Farmers have warned that up to 120,000 growing animals ...

02 Oct 2021

Christmas party meats ‘could be hit by shortage of butchers’

The Government is “continuing to work closely” with the pig industry amid a reported shortage of butchers which could impact food supplies over Christmas. Ministers are considering plans to ease visa restrictions for up to 1,000 foreign butchers, according to national news...

02 Oct 2021

Johnson announces end to lamb export ban ‘soon’

WELSH farming industry bodies have welcomed the prospect of Welsh Lamb exports to the US being lifted soon. The Prime Minister claimed the ban would end after meeting with President Biden in Washington last week. The potential market for PGI Welsh Lamb in the USA has been esti...

01 Oct 2021

Argentina To Resume Beef Exports To China

Argentina said it would once again allow cattle farmers to freely export beef to China, lifting a cap imposed earlier this year that had stoked tensions with the agricultural sector. The government had capped beef exports at 50% of the normal volumes to tamp down fast-rising p...

01 Oct 2021

Prime Minister accused of misleading sheep farmers over US lamb exports

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been accused of misleading sheep farmers following his announcement the US had lifted a decades-long ban on UK lamb exports. It comes after leaked emails from Defra suggest Mr Johnson’s claims were misleading, and that the ban has not yet bee...

01 Oct 2021

Beef & Lamb NZ new season outlook positive for farmers

Covid-19 uncertainty reinforces the need for stable and predictable domestic regulation, to avoid putting pressure on the red meat sector whose exports are critical to the economy, Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief economist Andrew Burtt says. B+LNZ’s new season outlook, rel...

01 Oct 2021

EU pig meat exports drop as demand from China falls

Exports of pig meat have been falling in recent months, pushing the market further into oversupply, and putting further pressure on prices. Demand for the important Chinese market, which had been importing more while its own domestic herd struggled with African Swine Fever (A...

25 Sep 2021

What’s the latest on global cattle and sheep prices?

Cattle For the most part, cattle prices around the world have continued to rise over the last few weeks, reflecting lower supplies in key producing nations and strong demand from importers, particularly China and Southeast Asia. Australian cattle prices have gone from stren...

25 Sep 2021

EU pig meat exports in decline

25 Sep 2021

Sheep prices fall, throughputs lower

Both liveweight and deadweight sheep prices fell in the latest week, although there were lower throughputs in the markets, and a lower estimated slaughter. Similar to other meat sectors there are various challenges currently which may be bring downward pressure to prices. Ongo...

25 Sep 2021

Quality Pork Ltd: Talks ongoing but Pilgrim’s UK says situation ‘unsustainable’

The future of Scotland’s only pork processing plant is hanging in the balance as crisis talks are held to find a way forward for Brechin’s state-of-the-art abattoir. Pilgrim’s UK is the sole customer for the pigmeat processed at Quality Pork Ltd’s (QPL) Brechin plant, ...

22 Sep 2021

Saudi Arabia lifts suspension of Brazil meat imports from five plants

SAO PAULO, Sept 17 (Reuters) – The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has lifted a suspension of Brazilian meat imports from five meatpackers imposed this month after two cases of mad cow disease, according to Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry and a document seen by ...

22 Sep 2021

US to accept British lamb for first time since 1989

The United States will lift its ban on imports of British lamb, Boris Johnson has announced, a move the sheep sector says will help maximise trade opportunities for UK farmers. A ban on both British lamb and beef imports to the US has been in place since 1989 due to concerns a...

22 Sep 2021

Butchers fined over £40k for selling poor quality chicken – owner legs it

A local butchers in Barking selling Halal meat has been found guilty in court for attempt to sell poor quality chicken to customers. Following an inspection by Barking and Dagenham Council enforcement officers on 23 August 2018 of Barking Halal Meat & Fish, officers disc...

16 Sep 2021

Lamb price dips despite lower numbers

New-season liveweight lamb prices fell in the week to Tuesday, with markets seeing an SQQ average of 225.29p/kg. This was a 9.6p/kg drop on a 6% lower throughput than the previous week. The fall came mostly in the first two days of the week, when the average was 6p/kg lower th...

15 Sep 2021

Biden administration plans tougher action to rein in meat prices

WASHINGTON, Sept 8 (Reuters) – The Biden administration plans to take a tougher stance toward meatpacking companies it says are causing sticker shock at grocery stores. Four companies control much of the U.S. meat processing market, and top aides to President Joe Biden b...

15 Sep 2021

Network of 100 farmers help promote meat and dairy

A network of 100 farmers will highlight the benefits of meat and dairy as part of an industry campaign, as new research shows producers are getting better at telling the story of farming. The ‘We Eat Balanced’ consumer marketing campaign, spearheaded by the AHDB, h...

15 Sep 2021

Saudi Arabia bans Brazilian beef imports

SAO PAULO, Sept 14 (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia has suspended beef imports from some Brazilian meatpackers after the South American country detected two atypical cases of mad cow disease earlier this month, Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry said on Tuesday. The ministry sa...

15 Sep 2021

Lamb production down again

During August, UK sheep meat production once again declined sharply on the year, according to the latest Defra data. Production for the month totalled 22,800 tonnes, down 16% (4,500 tonnes). Lamb kill recorded a 18% (228,600 head) decline, to 1,010,700 head. This is exceptiona...

13 Sep 2021

Plummeting pig price adds to industry woes

The falling pig price is adding to an already near impossible situation on pig farms, as pigs continue to back up due to processor staff shortages and feed prices remain eye-wateringly high. Last week saw the SPP record its biggest fall since 2016, as it fell by 2.31p to r...

13 Sep 2021

Pig producers ‘quitting the industry’ as losses mount

Pig producers are quitting the industry or cutting down on numbers because they can not sustain losses any longer, the National Pig Association (NPA) has warned. The government has been repeatedly called on to take immediate action to address the labour crisis crippli...

13 Sep 2021

UK exporters gear up for major Chinese exhibition

UK beef and pork exporters gear up for major Chinese exhibition Exporters will be flying the flag for British pork and beef at a major Chinese exhibition this week as the UK continues to seek new markets post-Brexit. On Wednesday, the 19th China International Meat Industry Exh...

13 Sep 2021

Chinese firm serves up lab-grown pork

SHANGHAI, Sept 3 (Reuters) Chinese firm serves up lab-grown pork in world’s top meat market. Chinese startup CellX unveiled a selection of lab-grown pork dishes on Friday and said it was aiming to produce the more environmentally friendly meat at competitive prices for t...

13 Sep 2021

Talks with China on ending its German pork ban remain difficult -minister

HAMBURG, Sept 10 (Reuters) – Talks with China on lifting its ban on German pork imports after the pig disease African swine fever (ASF) was found in Germany remain difficult, German junior agriculture minister Uwe Feiler said on Friday. China and a series of other pork b...

10 Sep 2021

Shrewsbury abattoir closes after coronavirus outbreak

ABP Shrewsbury, in the Battlefield area of the town, has had to close due to the number of workers self-isolating. It has been closed since Monday afternoon. No indication has been given when it will be up and running again. ABP’s Battlefield site is understood to have a...

07 Sep 2021

Chemical leak at 2 Sisters abattoir

Five workers were taken to hospital after a chemical leak at an Anglesey abattoir. The 2 Sisters chicken processing plant in Llangefni was evacuated following the incident. Food group 2 Sisters confirmed that there was an ammonia leak at the Llangefni factory this morning. The...

07 Sep 2021

China meat imports drop 9%

China meat imports drop 9% in August on low domestic prices BEIJING, Sept 7 (Reuters) – China imported 758,000 tonnes of meat in August, down 8.9% from the corresponding month a year ago, customs data showed on Tuesday, as weak domestic pork prices weighed on demand for ...

06 Sep 2021

Sausage wars: Post-Brexit trade grace period extended again

Post-Brexit checks on British goods entering Northern Ireland are to be delayed once again after London and Brussels struck a fresh agreement to avoid another impending “sausage war”. The grace period affecting red tape on products, such as chilled meats, moving from G...

06 Sep 2021

Brazil Halts China Exports After ‘Atypical’ Disease Discovery

Brazil, the world’s largest beef exporter, has suspended beef exports to its leading customer, China, after confirming two cases of ‘atypical’ mad cow disease in two separate domestic meat plants, the agriculture ministry said at the weekend. The suspension, ...

03 Sep 2021

GB finished pig prices move lower

In the week ending 28 August, the EU-spec SPP slipped a further 0.55p to average 158.70p/kg. This puts the measure 3.68p below the price for the same week a year ago, but 5.69p above the five-year average. Estimated slaughter of finished pigs at GB abattoirs totalled 158,300 h...

03 Sep 2021

Mexican market opens doors for UK pork imports

The Mexican market is now open for British pork for the first time, which means a potential boost of £50m over the first five years of trade. British farmers and food producers are set to benefit from access to a valuable new market, as Mexico has now officially opened its do...

01 Sep 2021

Argentina extends beef export cap, stoking farm tensions

BUENOS AIRES, Aug 31 (Reuters) – Argentina extended beef export restrictions until the end of October on Tuesday, stoking tensions with the powerful farm sector as the government seeks to bolster domestic meat supply to help contain rising food prices. The move comes mon...

30 Aug 2021

Lamb prices finish August on a high

Liveweight lamb prices firmed slightly during the latest week, although recorded only a little movement. During the week ending 25 August the GB liveweight NSL SQQ gained 0.56p to stand at 238.67p/kg. Throughputs for the week increased 3%, to 114,000 head. The GB deadweight NS...

30 Aug 2021

AHDB Pork’s weekly pig prices

AHDB Pork’s weekly pig prices, slaughter data and commentary for Great Britain GB finished pig prices slipped again in the week ending August 21, with the EU-spec SPP down 0.97p to stand at 159.25p/kg. This puts the measure 3.47p below the same week last year. Weaker EU pric...

30 Aug 2021

Thousands of pigs destroyed unless Government acts – NPA

Thousands of perfectly healthy pigs will end up being destroyed and wasted unless the Government takes urgent action to alleviate crippling staff shortages, NPA chief executive Zoe Davies has warned. Chief executive Zoe Davies said that with an estimated 70,000 pigs backing u...

30 Aug 2021

AIMS Association calls for Skilled Worker visas

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) is calling on the Home Office and UK Visas & Immigration to make meat processors eligible for a Skilled Worker visa. Tony Goodger, a spokesperson for AIMS, said that at present the jobs of butcher, slaughterman and butc...

30 Aug 2021

Demand for NZ beef remains strong amid global disruption

Prices for New Zealand beef remain strong in exports markets despite the turbulence in the global beef trade, with producers in a good position ahead of spring, a new report says. Restrictions on beef exports from Argentina and ongoing disruption from Covid-19 were creating tu...

19 Aug 2021

Family row wiped US$2 million from largest pork processor

A bitter family row between the chairman of WH Group Ltd. and his son over succession and management issues has wiped out more than US$2 billion of market value in the world’s largest pork processor. Shares of WH Group in Hong Kong have plunged 17 percent in two days to t...

11 Aug 2021

JBS explanation for $11m ransomware payment “not good enough” – former NCSC chief

The explanation given by meat processor JBS for paying an $11m ransomware demand was “not good enough” and “unconvincing”, the former CEO of the UK’s National Cybersecurity Centre (NCSC) has said. The world’s largest beef supplier was targeted in May with system-lo...

11 Aug 2021

Welsh Gower Salt Marsh Lamb receives protected status

Gower Salt Marsh Lamb has today (Wednesday 11 August 2021) officially joined the club of UK’s most iconic products, becoming the first new food to receive protected status after the end of the Transition Period with the EU. The new, independent Geographical Indication (GI)...

06 Aug 2021

GB prime cattle prices continue upwards

Prime cattle prices rose across the board in the latest reporting week, despite an increase in throughputs compared with last week. In the week ending 31 July, the GB all-prime average deadweight cattle price rose by 1.0p to average 405.1p/kg. This is up 38.6 pence on the pric...

06 Aug 2021

Meat Giant JBS to Enter Fish Market With $314 Million Huon Deal

(Bloomberg) — JBS SA, the world’s biggest meat producer, is expanding into the fish business by acquiring Australian salmon producer Huon Aquaculture Group for A$425 million ($314 million). The deal already has the backing of the majority shareholders and is set to b...

06 Aug 2021

NZ meat sector launches campaign to address worker shortage

New Zealand’s meat processing and exporting sector has launched a campaign to help address the industry’s chronic shortage of employees. The “Meat your career” website aims to highlight the wide range of opportunities available in the sector and shift t...

04 Aug 2021

Toennies not for sale, say family owners

BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s largest meat processor Toennies is not for sale and its ownership structure will remain unchanged, its family owners said on Wednesday. The company’s stakeholders – Robert, Clemens and Maximilian Toennies – said in a joint sta...

04 Aug 2021

Eleven people taken to hospital after Banham Poultry chemical spill

Eleven people have been taken to hospital with “breathing difficulties” after a chemical spill at Banham Poultry. Ambulance crews were called to the poultry factory on Station Road in Attleborough at around 9.30am on Wednesday, August 4, following reports that a number of...

03 Aug 2021

Love Lamb Week to return with sustainability focus

Sheep producers will help shine a light on the sector’s sustainability credentials as part of this year’s Love Lamb Week running from 1 September. The annual initiative is celebrating its seventh year with a focus on the sustainability of UK lamb production and the...

03 Aug 2021

NZ red meat sector exports worth close to $1 billion in June

The New Zealand red meat sector continues to perform strongly with overall exports reaching $937 million in June, up 16 per cent year-on-year, according to the latest analysis from the Meat Industry Association (MIA). Sheepmeat exports increased by 15 per cent to $345m compare...

01 Aug 2021

GB pig prices for week ending July 24, 2021 – SPP increases again

AHDB Pork’s weekly pig prices, slaughter data and commentary for Great Britain Finished pig prices continued to climb in the latest week – the EU-spec SPP lifted 0.78p to average 160.66p/kg in the week ending June 17. Despite recent gains, prices remain 4.95p below the sam...

01 Aug 2021

Pilgrim’s UK announces 100 new jobs at Westerleigh

A MAJOR employer IN South Gloucestershire has announced 100 new jobs. Pilgrim’s UK, one of Britain’s leading food and farming businesses, is looking for 100 skilled and unskilled workers to join its team at the Tulip site in Westerleigh from this month. The company purchas...

01 Aug 2021

UK ‘closing in’ on NZ free trade deal

July 31 (Reuters) – Britain is nearing an agreement in principle on a free trade deal with New Zealand, its trade ministry said on Saturday, as London looks to bolster its post-Brexit trade ties with non-EU partners. The European Union is Britain’s single largest t...

31 Jul 2021

Russia becomes top-supplier of beef to China

Russia has overtaken Australia, Argentina and Brazil in beef exports to the Chinese market, the Centre for Industry Expertise (CIE) of Russia’s Rosselkhozbank says. China bought some 3.7 thousand tons of Russian beef in the first quarter of 2021, 20 times more than during th...

29 Jul 2021

Over half of small abattoirs expect to close within 5 years

Over half of small and local abattoirs expect to close within the next five years if action is not taken to safeguard their future, new research shows. The National Craft Butchers (NCB) surveyed small and local abattoirs throughout England, Scotland, and Wales from March to Ma...

28 Jul 2021

UK lamb exports plummet by a quarter in May

Lamb exports from the UK continue to be under pressure as new figures show exports declined by nearly a quarter last month. UK sheep meat exports declined 23 percent year-on-year in May to stand at 4,850 tonnes, data by HMRC shows. The vast majority – 95 percent – ...

28 Jul 2021

Many farmers are still missing carcase spec, says QMS

A “SIGNIFICANT proportion” of Scottish livestock are still failing to meet market specification, according to Quality Meat Scotland. The red meat promotion body said that close to 40% of sheep and 30% of beef cattle in Scotland were being presented off-spec, resulting in ...

28 Jul 2021

2 Sisters posts annual loss of £25.9m

2 Sisters Food Group has recorded an annual loss of £25.9m in its latest financial results covering the year to 1 August 2020. This is an improved result on the year before, when losses reached £69.3m. 2 Sisters Food Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of Boparan Holdings. D...

27 Jul 2021

Treasury to become majority shareholder of Isle of Man Meat Plant

Government equity in the Isle of Man Meat Plant is to be transferred to the Treasury after Tynwald backed the move. Currently the plant’s majority shareholder is the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. Meat Plant chairman Tim Baker argued the organisation wa...

27 Jul 2021

Job losses as AHDB cuts costs by £7.8 million in major restructure

Staff cuts including some in its senior leadership team will see AHDB reduce its operational costs by £7.8 million. As part of a major restructuring programme announced earlier this year, the number of senior managers will be cut from 20 to 14. But the majority of the savings...

27 Jul 2021

2 Sisters warns of worst food shortages in 75 years

The founder of 2 Sisters has warned supermarket shelves will be bare and panic buying will intensify unless the ‘critical issues’ threatening UK food supply are solved. Ranjit Singh Boparan, founder and President at 2 Sisters Food Group, said the current challenges ...

27 Jul 2021

Staffing shortages cause major plant disruption

Last week was marred by continued disruption at many plants caused by staffing shortages, with the upshot of curtailed demand from most of the majors, according to Thames Valley Cambac. “The staffing issues seem to be twofold – isolation due to Covid or close contact, a...

27 Jul 2021

GB pig prices for week ending July 17 – SPP up again

AHDB Pork’s weekly pig prices, slaughter data and commentary for Great Britain Finished pig prices continued to climb in the week ending June 17, as the EU-spec SPP lifted 0.78p to average 160.66p/kg. Despite recent gains, prices remain 4.95p below the same week last year, b...

27 Jul 2021

3 pig farms struck by African swine fever outbreaks in Germany

German authorities have confirmed an outbreak of the deadly African swine fever (ASF) among domesticated pigs with three farms affected so far. The country’s wild boar population has been plagued by the disease for months already. The third outbreak of ASF was detected on a ...

27 Jul 2021

Shortage of workers in meat industry ‘reaching a critically high level’

In response to rising concerns over the shortage of labour in the meat industry, Nick Allen, CEO of The British Meat Processors’ Association (BMPA), has said that the the insufficient number of workers for permanent positions is reaching a critically high level. “We’ve...

14 Jul 2021

Eustice wrong to say small abattoir network is sufficient

Campaigners demanding support for small, local abattoirs amid changes to livestock journey times have criticised Defra secretary George Eustice’s claims this is not needed. Mr Eustice suggested at the recent Groundswell event that the UK has a broad distribution of abattoirs...

09 Jul 2021

Liveweight lamb prices hold their ground, deadweight prices tumble

Daily liveweight lamb prices reversed their trend of last week, rising early in the week, but falling later. In the week ended 7 July, the GB liveweight NSL SQQ gained 1.64p, to stand at 250.26p/kg. This is just over 28p above the same week last year. Auction market throughput...

05 Jul 2021

Chilled meats extension: Cold Chain Federation response

The Cold Chain Federation, which represents the businesses in the UK which store and move chilled and frozen food, has responded to the extension of the grace period for chilled meats into Northern Ireland. Cold Chain Federation Chief Executive Shane Brennan says:“Three more...

05 Jul 2021

Smithfield Foods to pay $83 million to settle pork price-fixing claims

(Reuters) – Smithfield Foods Inc said on Wednesday it will pay $83 million to settle litigation that accused several companies of conspiring to limit supply in the $20 billion-a-year U.S. pork market to inflate prices and their own profits. The settlement with Smithfield...

02 Jul 2021

Meatpacker JBS paid out $11m ransom following cyberattack

Meatpacker JBS USA paid a ransom equivalent to $11 million (£7.79 million) following a cyberattack that disrupted its North American and Australian operations, the company’s CEO said in a statement on Wednesday. The subsidiary of Brazilian firm JBS SA halted cattle slau...

02 Jul 2021

Uruguayan meat processing plant resumes shipments to China

The Uruguayan BPU meat processing plant has been cleared to resume exports to China as of July 1 after it was banned April 9 due to a mislabelled shipment, it was announced Thursday. The lifting of the sanctions brought relief to BPU, who allocates 70% of its output to that ma...

30 Jun 2021

Aussie FTA leaves NZ meat sector envious

New Zealand’s meat sector will be hoping to benefit from a yet-to-be-signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that its Australian counterparts are about to enter into with the UK. Last week, an agreement on a UK/Australia FTA was announced. It will eventually see Australian mea...

28 Jun 2021

Sharp drop in British lamb prices

The liveweight lamb market has dropped noticeably this week, with the falls following smaller declines already seen over the past couple of weeks. Meanwhile, numbers coming to market have increased. In the week ended 23 June, the NSL GB SQQ fell by nearly 43p on the previous w...

24 Jun 2021

Global meat processor moves into Paraguay: plans an abattoir that handles 1,200 cattle per day

Brazil’s global meat processor, Marfrig has purchased land to build a major abattoir in Paraguay. Landlocked Paraguay is a full member of Mercosur, who together with partners Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, has become the world’s leading meat export region. The proj...

24 Jun 2021

Prices tumble £15-£20 as lambs flood forward

A deadweight advantage of £10-£15 a lamb could be eroded this week as lamb supply ramps up and processors make big price cuts. Exporters have paid £5.80/kg deadweight for lambs this week, while some retail contracts have dropped prices below £5.50/kg. This equates to a dro...

21 Jun 2021

Argentina expected to lift 30-day ban on beef exports, with restrictions

Argentina is expected to allow beef exports to resume, with restrictions, after enforcing a snap 30-day ban last month. Key points: Argentinian beef exports to resume next week, according to local news President Alberto Fernandez put snap 30-day ban on beef exports last mont...

18 Jun 2021

Concerns raised over availability and capacity of UK abattoirs

Sheep producers have raised concerns over the availability and capacity of UK abattoirs after the government announced a ban on live exports. The UK is set to become the first European country to end live exports after new powers were unveiled seeking to boost animal welfare...

18 Jun 2021

Kerry Group to sell meats and meals business for €819m

Kerry Group is to sell its consumer foods’ meats and meals business in the UK and Ireland to US food company Pilgrim’s Pride for €819m in cash. The meats business includes branded and private label meats, meat snacks, food-to-go and meat-free products in the UK and I...

18 Jun 2021

FSA drops action against meat supplier because of legal error

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has dropped criminal action against meat supplier Russell Hume because of a “technical legal error” made during the investigation. The investigation into the meat supplier began in January 2018 because of food hygiene issues. The firm went i...

17 Jun 2021

UK secures £65m export deal to send poultry meat to Japan

UK poultry farmers will soon have their produce served on Japanese plates thanks to a new export deal worth an estimated £65 million over five years. The UK Government says it has secured an agreement to export UK poultry meat to Japan, in a deal worth up to £13m a year for ...

16 Jun 2021

Australian farmers back UK trade agreement

More Australian beef and lamb will be exported to the UK as import taxes are phased out over a decade under a free trade deal between the two nations. People up to the age of 35 will be eligible for working holiday visas in both countries, while UK backpackers will no longer h...

16 Jun 2021

Tariq Halal Meats to launch new ‘state of the art’ butchers

A butchers says it has ‘revolutionised’ the UK halal meat industry with its new data driven store. Tariq Halal Meats will open their new branch in Stratford Shopping Centre, East London in August which will include ‘touch technology’ and E-shelf labelling. The...

16 Jun 2021

Tariffs axed immediately on Australian beef and lamb, triggering fears that farmers will be sent ‘to the wall’

Tariffs will be scrapped immediately on imported beef and lamb from Australia, triggering accusations that the trade deal struck by Boris Johnson will send UK farmers “to the wall”. The small print of the first major post-Brexit agreement – revealed by Canberra, as ...

03 Jun 2021

Irish beef exports to GB drops back in 2021

During March, Irish cattle slaughter (incl. cows and calves) dropped back by 6.1% on the same month last year, according to according to Central Statistics Office data. Overall, Q1 Irish cattle slaughter fell by 13.6% year on year to total 434,100 head. The reduced slaughter n...

03 Jun 2021

Will high UK prices encourage New Zealand lamb imports?

Lamb prices in New Zealand have been rising in recent weeks but still remain well below the high GB farmgate prices observed during the last few months. The gap between farmgate prices in New Zealand and the UK is currently in excess of £2/kg deadweight. Seasonal trends fro...

03 Jun 2021

UK-Norway trade deal stalls over fears British beef and cheese could flood market

Trade talks between the UK and Norway have stalled over fears British beef and cheese could flood the Norwegian market and put farmers out of business. Agriculture in Norway is heavily subsidised, with the Government and farmer representatives sitting down every year to agree ...

03 Jun 2021

Fourth UK meat processor given green light to export to the USA

A fourth processing site in the UK has won approval to export its beef to the USA – marking a major leap forward for the business and for the red meat sector as a whole. Foyle Food Group in Gloucester is now listed on the official ‘USDA Approved’ list, which means commer...

02 Jun 2021

JBS cyberattack disrupts Australian meat production

CANBERRA, Australia — A ransomware attack on the world’s largest meat processing company disrupted production around the world just weeks after a similar incident shut down a U.S. oil pipeline. Brazil’s JBS SA, however, said late Tuesday that it had made “s...

27 May 2021

Argentina’s Temporary Ban on Beef Exports has Potential Market Impacts

From trade wars to animal disease outbreaks, and, of course, COVID-19’s upending of supply chains, there have been numerous disruptions in agricultural trade over the last several years. While maybe not at the same level of significance as these other events, an ill-advised ...

27 May 2021

GB prime cattle prices slip again

In the week ending 22 May, the GB all-prime average fell 4.7p from the week before to average 398.0p/kg. This is the third consecutive week the measure has declined. Prices are 53p above the five-year average and just over 60p above the same week last year. Reports suggest the...

26 May 2021

Australia likely to be first new post-Brexit competitor for Ireland on UK market

Farmers across the United Kingdom and Ireland are bracing themselves for an ambitious liberalising trade pact between Australia and the UK, its first major new trade deal since leaving the EU. UK officials have confirmed that the trade deal to be offered to Australia would see...

26 May 2021

Australian beef farmers ‘not looking to compete against British producers’

Australian beef farmers are not looking to compete with British producers, according to a representative from the country’s red meat exports body. Mary Johnson, market access manager at Meat and Livestock Australia – the Australian equivalent of Quality Meat Scotland – m...

25 May 2021

Argentine beef sector wary of export ban repercussions

Buenos Aires, May 24 (EFE).- Argentine beef producers are expressing alarm about the government’s bid to lower domestic prices through a ban on exports, warning of a repeat of the scenario that played out in 2006. The measure, which went into effect on Thursday for a period ...

24 May 2021

UK-Australia trade deal: NFU calls for ‘urgent answers’

The NFU has called on the government to issue ‘urgent answers’ on any UK-Australia trade deal amid fears over lower-standard agri-imports. The union has outlined five key questions regarding the UK’s future trade policy and the ongoing negotiations on a Free ...

24 May 2021

Canada eyes up UK market amid Australian trade deal

Canada is seeking to secure sweeping access to the British market for its farmers in trade talks, after UK concessions to Australia threatened to open the floodgates for food imports. Ottawa believes it can secure an ambitious deal on agriculture in negotiations later this ye...

12 May 2021

Council finds new leaseholder for Carmarthen mart

Livestock sales may soon restart at Carmarthen mart after the local council announced that it had secured a new leaseholder for the site. Nock Deighton, which runs the successful Newcastle Emlyn livestock market, has won the tender to run the mart, located in Nantyci. The comp...

07 May 2021

Cattle hide prices stronger for now, sheep skins still weak

The hide market was hit hard during the coronavirus pandemic, with the Italian tannery sector all but closing temporarily. Hide prices fell the world over. Reports suggest Chinese buyers took the opportunity to upgrade on quality, albeit at the same or lower prices. Data from ...

07 May 2021

Liveweight lamb prices on the rise

Both old season and new season liveweight lamb prices have increased during the past week. In the week ending 5 May, the GB Liveweight OSL SQQ prices increased 6.6p on the week to average 296.41p/kg. Prices are up 89p when compared to the same week in 2020. Liveweight NSL SQQ ...

07 May 2021

ABP takeover ‘further erodes competition’ in meat processing sector

ABP’s full takeover of Slaney Meats and ICM has been described as “a further erosion of competition” in the processing sector, by IFA president Tim Cullinan. It was confirmed today that Larry Goodman-owned ABP has “reached agreement in principle” with Fane Valley Co...

07 May 2021

Deadweight cattle prices up yet again

GB finished cattle prices have continued to climb in the latest week. In the week ending 1 May, the GB all prime average stood at 407.3p/kg, up 1.1p on the week before. This puts the measure 87p above the same week last year when prices had fallen sharply, and 67.6p above fiv...

07 May 2021

Ballymoney: Plans for a new £75m pork processing plant

Plans have been submitted for a new £75m pork processing plant in Ballymoney, County Antrim. The company behind the proposal is Bannside Foods – a new name in the pork industry. The proposed site is the former home of the Lovell and Christmas bacon factory, which burned...

07 May 2021

ABP acquires Slaney Foods and Irish Country Meats

ABP announced today that it is to acquire the remaining 50% holding in Fane Valley Co-Op’s red meat business which includes Linden Foods in Northern Ireland and Slaney Foods and Irish Country Meats businesses in the Republic of Ireland. The deal is subject to approval by the...

05 May 2021

Chilled food exporters ‘given up’ on sending product to the EU

Chilled food exporters have given up on trying to send product to the EU because of ‘kafkaesque’ red tape, an industry expert has claimed. Karin Goodburn, director general of the Chilled Food Association, warned businesses were dealing with ‘archaic paperwork’ and ‘B...

05 May 2021

Pork industry joins forces with European food companies in threatening to boycott Brazilian products due to land reforms

A group of around 40 major food companies and representative organisations have joined forces in issuing a warning to the Brazilian Government over controversial land reforms. The letter, signed by the NPA, leading UK pork processors Cranswick and Pilgrim’s UK, various UK re...

05 May 2021

Global pig production slowed by herd health and supply issues – Rabobank

The growth of global pig production is set to be slowed by a range of factors, including the resurgence of Africa swine fever (ASF) in Asia, higher feed costs and the impact of COVID-19 on demand, according to Rabobank. Pig prices are sharply higher in most markets, as process...

05 May 2021

‘Market-top’ debate follows 5-10p/kg beef processor cuts

Processor price cuts of 5-10p/kg have left beef finishers asking whether trade has hit a market top or if processors are “playing games” to draw out more cattle. Many factory base prices remain unchanged at record highs, but some price cuts have caused concern for finisher...

05 May 2021

Bovingdons Catering wins £10m Butchers’ Hall contract

Bovingdons Catering has taken over the catering contract at the Butchers’ Hall in the City of London and will be responsible for the complete commercialisation of the newly refurbished livery venue including marketing, selling and delivering events. The multi-year contra...

23 Apr 2021

ABP buys lamb processor Janan Meat

ABP Food Group has bought West Midlands meat processor Janan Meat, a significant halal lamb and mutton business. Founded in 1992, Janan had a turnover of £56.9m in the year to 31 March 2020, up from £51.6m the previous year. As well as supplying customers across the UK, Jana...

23 Apr 2021

Supermarkets snub calls to support British pork

Calls to support Britain’s pig sector have been snubbed as retailers displayed less British pork in March, latest data from AHDB’s PorkWatch survey has revealed. Seventy-nine per cent of fresh pork on display was British, a 2 per cent decrease from the January survey, with...

21 Apr 2021

AHDB seeking 6 new board members

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is looking to recruit six new board members. It is seeking three current or recent levy payers from Beef & Lamb, Cereals & Oilseeds and Dairy, together with other essential skill sets. They will have to demonstr...

21 Apr 2021

New Brexit checks continued to hamper meat exports in February

The introduction of new Brexit checks at the start of the year continued to hamper UK meat exports to the EU in February, new trade figures show. The Government figures, published on Tuesday, show that overall UK exports to the EU made something of recovery from the slump in...

21 Apr 2021

Cattle prices pick up again

The deadweight cattle prices showed another upward movement in the week ended 10 April. Similar to the previous week, the GB all-prime average gained just over 3p to reach 399.3p/kg. This is over 70p/kg more than the equivalent week in 2020, when prices began to fall sharply. ...

21 Apr 2021

China to lift UK pork import curbs ‘when there is evidence pandemic under control in UK’

China will lift its suspension on pork imports from UK plants affected by COVID-19 when there is evidence the disease is under control in the UK, according to a Chinese official quoted in the Financial Times. The FT has highlighted pig sector’s request to Defra for a COVID...

21 Apr 2021

Waitrose to train 100 more fishmongers and butchers

Waitrose has announced its plans to train 100 more fishmongers and butchers as it celebrates 40 years since the opening of its first service counters. The new employees will be taught traditional butchery and fishmonger skills, as well as expert knowledge to help customers wh...

21 Apr 2021

New rules on Argentinian beef spark fears of export limits

Cattle growers are concerned that government could impose limits on international beef sales to curb domestic inflation. Argentina on Tuesday re-established a meat export registration system, stoking fears among cattle producers of possible export limits as the government trie...

21 Apr 2021

JBS Expands Plant-Based Food Products With Vivera Acquisition

JBS SA, the world’s largest meat supplier, said it signed a binding proposal to acquire Dutch plant-based food producer Vivera BV, expanding its presence in the fast-growing segment. The company plans to pay 341 million euros ($408 million) for Vivera, which has three facil...

15 Apr 2021

Record UK beef prices lead to Irish cattle imports

Some processors have turned to live Irish cattle imports to secure beef during the tightest UK supply period since the 2001 foot-and-mouth epidemic. Draconian paperwork and tight Irish numbers could limit volumes, but there have been several reports of cattle shipments into th...

15 Apr 2021

Scott Technology wins Aussie meat processor contract

Automation and robotic systems firm Scott Technology said it had won a $10 million contract to design and build a lamb-boning system for one of Australia’s largest meat processors, Thomas Foods International (TFI). The investment by TFI will deliver improved product qual...

15 Apr 2021

Welsh lamb moves online to capitalise on growth

UK red meat organisations are redoubling efforts to ensure that online retailers which have seen growth during the pandemic regularly stock Welsh lamb and beef. With more people shopping online, promotional efforts for Wales’s iconic farming exports have been ensuring th...

13 Apr 2021

UK meat processors fear permanent damage to trade with EU

British meat processors fear losing as much as 25pc of their pre-Brexit EU trade as a result of ‘massive increase’ in trade friction since January 1. They also said concessions from the EU could only be achieved when EU exporters have to ‘jump through the sam...

13 Apr 2021

New Zealand government expected to announce end to live exports

The New Zealand government is expected to end its live animal export trade. It comes amid a months-long investigation by TVNZ’s Sunday programme into the conditions endured by cattle at sea. “It’s a trade whose time has come, it’s a trade we should have got out...

13 Apr 2021

Beef producers see red over Blue Peter campaign

The BBC has stooped to new depths in attempting to direct children in a way that could be harmful to their health and growth, says the National Beef Association (NBA) in response to the broadcaster’s new ‘one-sided’ Blue Peter initiative. In an open letter to BBC directo...

06 Apr 2021

Strong demand and tight supplies boost pork market

Strong underlying demand and tight supply continues to support the market, with price rises seen across the board, according to Thames Valley Cambac. Most of the major processors viewed Easter as a small inconvenience, and planned to work right through, TVC said in its lates...

01 Apr 2021

Meat sector report warns of long-term EU trade impact

Brexit will cost the UK meat sector up to £120m/year in extra vet and administration charges alone, a British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) report has warned. The BMPA’s Brexit Impact Report called on the government to appreciate the difficulties being encountered th...

29 Mar 2021

Brexit will lead to permanent loss of trade in meat, says BMPA’s new Brexit Impact Report

The British Meat Processors Association has published a Brexit Impact Report which draws on the experiences of meat exporters to date and says problems with new rules at the border are not going away and predicts a permanent reduction in trade. Read the Report The report s...

23 Mar 2021

Germany’s Toennies: next generation to take over, no comment on sales rumours

BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s largest meat processor Toennies is growing and expanding as the next generation of the family is taking over, managing partners of it said on Friday, declining to comment on a report that the group was seeking a buyer. “We do not comment ...

23 Mar 2021

China to crack down on use of leanness enhancers in cattle and sheep

HONG KONG (Reuters) – China’s agriculture ministry said on Friday it will crack down on the use of leanness-enhancing agents in farm animals to guarantee the quality and safety of livestock products. The three-month drive will focus on the use of the banned substance c...

20 Mar 2021

Farm groups and vets angry at Government decision to delay checks on EU imports

Farm groups and vets have responded angrily to a Government decision to delay checks on EU food imports to Great Britain (GB). Exports from GB to the EU have faced thorough checks since the end of the Brexit transition period on January 1 2021, causing delays and leaving some ...

20 Mar 2021

Record high lamb prices

Lamb prices have continued to move up across the UK, with firm demand and weak supply leading to some of the highest prices on record. In the week ending March 10, the liveweight old season lamb SQQ rose by 13p/kg on the week to average 293.0p/kg, 88p/kg above the five-year av...

20 Mar 2021

Germany’s ‘Sausage King’ Is Said to Explore $5 Billion Sale

(Bloomberg) — Billionaire Clemens Toennies is exploring a sale of Germany’s largest meat processor, almost a year after his namesake company was embroiled in a nationwide scandal due to a huge coronavirus outbreak at one of his packing plants. Toennies Holding ApS &...

20 Mar 2021

Philippines begins trial Taiwan pork imports

The Philippines last month imported a small amount of Taiwanese pork on a trial basis, and plans to import breeding swine from Taiwan to rebuild its hog industry, the Council of Agriculture said on Friday. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in June last year declar...

08 Mar 2021

Boost for pork exports as US suspends retaliatory Airbus tariffs

In a welcome boost for UK pork exports, the US has today suspended all retaliatory tariffs on UK exports resulting from the Airbus dispute for four months. The measures, which will come into force on Monday, March 8, backdated to today, have been agreed in an effort to reach ...

08 Mar 2021

Situation improving in pork plants amid positive market signs

The situation is starting to get better in UK pork plants, according to Thames Valley Cambac. While not problem free, last week saw a ‘vast improvement’ on previous weeks, with little rolled and we start the new trading week with a ‘straight edge’, TVC said in its la...

02 Mar 2021

Better week for processors, but COVID still an issue

Most processors had a better week in terms of reliability, but COVID-19 concerns remained for some, curtailing capacity, according to Thames Valley Cambac. “Demand remained steady, although there was the odd shoot of optimism from some retail quarters with one major on promo...

02 Mar 2021

EU pig prices see slight improvement

Pig prices in the EU have picked up a little over the past couple of weeks, having been largely steady since the start of the year, according to AHDB analyst Bethan Wilkins. The latest average price for week ending 21 February, was €131.07/100kg – an increase of roughly �...

02 Mar 2021

Seafood reputation being lost “day by day” since Brexit, Scottish expert tells MPs

THE REPUTATION of the UK’s fishing exports is being lost “day by day”, according to a Scottish seafood leader. Donna Fordyce, the Chief Executive of Seafood Scotland, told MPs this afternoon that the length of time it is taking to get produce to market after...

02 Mar 2021

UK sheep sector was still profitable in 2020 even in the face of a pandemic

The value of UK sheep meat exports increased by almost 10 percent last year despite the difficulties brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. Newly released data for 2020 has revealed a profitable year for the sector against the backdrop of reduced volume of exports and ...

02 Mar 2021

Study shows data-driven beef breeding can reduce methane emission by up to 40%

Beef produced on farms across the British Isles is widely recognised and being amongst the most sustainable in the world. This is evidenced by the fact that its carbon footprint of approximately half of the global average. Nonetheless, results of a multi-year study involving o...

27 Feb 2021

Beyond Meat clinches coveted deals with McDonald’s, Yum Brands

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Plant-based meat maker Beyond Meat said on Thursday it has signed multi-year supply deals with McDonald’s Corp and Taco Bell owner Yum! Brands Inc, underscoring consumers’ appetite for vegetable-based alternatives and Beyond Meat’s leading posit...

27 Feb 2021

Depleted lamb stocks drive up prices

Sheep farmers have begun to draw ewe lambs from replacements to capitalise on deadweight prices that have marched through the £6/kg mark. AHDB figures for the week ending 20 February, showed old season lamb (OSL) SQQ deadweight prices rose by 16p/kg in seven days to average 6...

22 Feb 2021

Brexit: NI supermarkets face new rules for GB meat products

Supermarkets bringing meat products from Great Britain to Northern Ireland face new bureaucracy from Monday. The change is a consequence of Brexit and the Irish Sea border. Retailers must now use Export Health Certificates (EHCs) to import chilled, processed meat – this ...

18 Feb 2021

Redefine Meat raises $29 million to finance rollout of 3D-printed meat substitute

ZURICH (Reuters) – Israeli start-up Redefine Meat is planning to launch its 3D-printed meat substitutes globally after raising $29 million in a funding round led by venture capital firms Happiness Capital and Hanaco Ventures, it said on Tuesday. Redefine Meat has develop...

16 Feb 2021

Saudi Arabia expands partnership with Brazilian meat operator

RIYADH: A Saudi agriculture investment firm is to expand into Australia through a partnership deal with a Brazilian livestock company. The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Co. (SALIC), a joint stock company owned by the Public Investment Fund, has entered into an ag...

15 Feb 2021

Local abattoirs given a voice

A NEW campaign body has been formed to champion small local abattoirs across the UK. The creation of the Abattoir Sector Group comes on the back of recommendations made by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare’s report into ‘The Future for Small Abattoirs in...

12 Feb 2021

Tesco and Asda told to improve British pork offering

Pig producers have urged Tesco and Asda to up the quantity of British pork on their shelves after a survey found a large proportion was imported. According to a recent shelf-watch survey by NFU Scotland, less than half of the fresh pork on sale in the two retailers was British...

11 Feb 2021

Pork pie export crackdown: new export health certificate required from 21 April

A new model Export Health Certificate (EHC) will come into force on 21 April 2021, which will impact the export of composite products containing products of animal origin (POAO) as an ingredient, such as pork pies and lasagna. Under the new regulation, EHC requirements will...

11 Feb 2021

China plant-based ‘meat’ brand HERO Protein closes USD850k pre-seed round

HERO Protein, the first domestic plant-based ‘meat’ company in China to use cutting-edge “high moisture extrusion” technology, has completed a USD850k pre-seed funding round to launch its products into the market. The funding round saw participation from Crem...

11 Feb 2021

“A Technological & Sustainable Approach to Meat Inspection”

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) published a report today. The report “A Technological & Sustainable Approach to Meat Inspection”, sets out how many of the challenges facing the small abattoir and poultry processing sectors can be addressed through ...

10 Feb 2021

Brexit: UK pig exports ‘facing a crisis’

A “perfect storm” of Covid impacts and post-Brexit bureaucracy threaten to plunge British pig farmers into a crisis, an industry body has warned. The National Pig Association (NPA) said there were 100,000 animals in the UK unable to enter the food chain. Farmers in...

10 Feb 2021

Video: UK red meat sector’s Covid safety measures

A new video which shows how UK meat processing plants and abattoirs are taking steps to minimise the spread of Covid-19 has gone live. The two-minute animation, produced by AHDB, highlights the range of practices being adopted across the UK to ensure the safe production of red...

10 Feb 2021

Philippines to aggressively ramp up pork imports to tackle price rises

MANILA, Feb 9 (Reuters) – The Philippines plans to increase pork imports this year to roughly 400,000 tonnes, more than double the initial proposal, as it seeks to cover a domestic shortfall that has pushed market prices higher, its farm minister said on Tuesday. A gover...

10 Feb 2021

British meat processors set up shop in EU as Brexit hammers exports – BMPA

LONDON (Reuters) – British meat processors are registering businesses in the European Union in order to bypass post-Brexit export delays, with flows just 50% of normal levels and costs soaring, the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) said on Tuesday. The move mean...

10 Feb 2021

Hong Kong culls 3,000 pigs after African swine fever discovery

HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong authorities ordered the culling of all 3,000 pigs in a herd after the African swine fever virus was discovered to be spreading for the first time in one of the city’s farms. The disease, which is harmless to humans, is very rare in Hong ...

10 Feb 2021

Brexit: Animal-based food checks at ports suspended

Checks on animal and food products at Larne and Belfast ports have been suspended amid concerns for staff safety. The Department of Agriculture said this was pending talks with the PSNI. This comes after Mid and East Antrim Council withdrew staff from Brexit inspection duties ...

09 Feb 2021

Union calls for increase in British pork presence

Less than half the pork in Tesco and Asda is British or Scottish. NFU Scotland has contacted all major supermarkets regarding their support for Scottish and British pig farmers after finding that some retailers have a very high proportion of non-British pork on their shelves...

08 Feb 2021

COVID less of a problem in plants but fresh pork market ‘dire’ – TVC

Fewer issues were seen at pork plants last week as the reduced allocation that some processors planned bore fruit, according to Thames Valley Cambac. COVID-19 was, however, still a major problem for some plants, with boning and cutting staff particularly affected, TVC said ...

06 Feb 2021

Project launches to trace origin of beef with DNA technology

A new project is exploring the use of DNA technology to trace beef back to the animal it came from and the farm of origin. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) says DNA technology has the potential to provide greater protection and value for beef at home a...

03 Feb 2021

Pig industry ‘perfect storm’ makes international headlines

The international media is taking a growing interest in the ‘perfect storm’ the UK pig sector finds itself in as a result of Brexit disruption and ongoing issues in pork plants. NPA staff, officeholders and members have discussed the issues over the past days with outlet...

02 Feb 2021

Philippines sets price ceiling for pork, chicken as food inflation soars

MANILA, Feb 1 (Reuters) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday signed an executive order mandating price ceilings for pork and chicken in the capital region, as costlier meat has propelled food inflation to a double-digit level. Pork retail prices in the Philip...

02 Feb 2021

More rolled pigs as staff issues continue to hit plants

Processing time continued to be lost last week due to staff absenteeism, and physical breakdowns, according to Thames Valley Cambac. “The upshot was more rolled pigs and a much reduced allocation from some as we enter February. Consequently, there was no opportunity to catch...

02 Feb 2021

Abattoir Sector Group established to support local UK slaughterhouse network

An Abattoir Sector Group (ASG) has been set up to help develop a thriving network of local abattoirs across the UK. The group was formed following a recommendation in the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare’s (AGPAW) report, The Future for Small Abattoirs in th...

30 Jan 2021

MPs launch inquiry into Brexit border delays for meat exports

MPs are launching an urgent inquiry into the disruption of UK meat exports to the EU since the end of the Brexit transition period on 1 January. Food export businesses of all sizes have reported losing money and trade due to an increase in bureaucratic border processes. The Br...

30 Jan 2021

New strain of African swine fever hits prominent pig producer in China

A new form of African swine fever (ASF) has been identified in several farms owned by New Hope Liuhe, China’s fourth-largest producer, the company’s chief science officer Yan Zhichun told Reuters. Two new strains of ASF have reportedly infected more than 1,000 sows, with...

30 Jan 2021

Red Tractor high-profile marketing campaign focuses on beef and lamb

CUMBRIAN farmer Alistair Mackintosh is helping to promote a consumer marketing campaign by Red Tractor. As chair of the Red Tractor Beef and Lamb sector, Mr Mackintosh is promoting the campaign which demonstrates the standards British beef and lamb farmers adhere to as well as...

30 Jan 2021

Pig farms can restart in Belgium’s ASF zone

Belgium has started the repopulation of pig farms located in the southern region that was hit by African Swine Fever (ASF) between 2018 and 2020. Those farms are located in the south of Luxembourg province, adjacent to Luxembourg the country. Permission to repopulate was given...

30 Jan 2021

Increased trade disruption at UK-EU border could hit farmgate prices, warns NFU

The NFU has warned trade disruption at the UK-EU border could hit farm planning and put downward pressure on farmgate prices if it continues over the coming weeks. The union’s director of trade and business strategy, Nick von Westenholz, pointed out farmers had so far avoide...

30 Jan 2021

Hong Kong cooks up lab-grown fish as appetite for ‘clean meat’ rises

HONG KONG (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – When chef Eddy Leung was tasked with cooking what was touted as the world’s first lab-grown fish fillets in his kitchen in southwestern Hong Kong, he pan-fried some and deep-fried others before finally deciding on breaded fish b...

30 Jan 2021

Beyond Meat surges on PepsiCo plant-based snack deal

(Reuters) – Beyond Meat Inc said on Tuesday it had formed a joint venture with PepsiCo Inc to develop and sell snacks and beverages made from plant-based protein, sending shares of the faux-meat maker to an 18-month high. The deal was the latest in a run of marketing suc...

30 Jan 2021

GB prime prices hold firm, while cow prices tick up

In the week ending 23 January, the GB all prime average deadweight cattle price stood at 377.3p/kg, lifting just 0.4p on the week before. This measure is now above the price achieved for the same week last year by 45.5p/kg. Estimated throughput for the week totalled 33,300 hea...

29 Jan 2021

Deadweight lamb prices make further gains

Deadweight lamb prices rose further again this week, up by 5.5p to total 574.3p/kg for the week ending 23 January. Prices are currently up by 110.9p on the same week of the previous year. Total throughputs for the week ending 23 January were estimated at 218,200 head, this was...

28 Jan 2021

GB pig prices for week ending January 23, 2021 – SPP down again, carcase weights also down

AHDB Pork’s weekly pig prices, slaughter data and commentary for Great Britain It was another difficult week for the finished pig market, with the EU-spec SPP experiencing another fall. The EU-spec price for the week ended January 23 fell by 1.36p to 141.69p/kg – this is n...

28 Jan 2021

NPA tells Eustice of ‘unprecedented challenges’ facing the sector in the form of Brexit border delays and COVID-19

NPA chairman Richard Lister has written to Defra Secretary George Eustice outlining the ‘unprecedented challenges’ the sector faces as a result of the UK’s exit from the EU ‘impacting on our ability to export goods to the continent and Northern Ireland’. “This has...

28 Jan 2021

Brazilian meat exports to EU fell across 2020 due to trade diversion and Asian demand

Overall trade between the EU and Brazil fell across 202, with Brazilian exports to the EU falling by 14% on the previous year, and imports to Brazil from the EU down by 13%, according to Apex-Brazil, the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency. The agency said this ...

28 Jan 2021

Covid-19 outbreak: Brechin abattoir closure threatens Scotland’s pig sector

A COVID-19 outbreak at Scotland’s only pig abattoir has left producers with a backlog of stock, quickly diminishing in value as the plant closes its doors for two weeks. Quality Pork Limited, in Brechin, took the decision to close its doors for a fortnight on Saturday, Janua...

26 Jan 2021

Morrisons launches South West Shorthorn Beef Scheme

South West farmers finishing Beef Shorthorn-sired cattle will have the first-time opportunity from March 2021 to supply the Morrisons Shorthorn Beef Scheme and receive premiums of up to 30p/kg. Due to the growing volumes of Shorthorn-sired cattle located in the Cornwall, Devon...

23 Jan 2021

Dutch customs warn British meat traders to have correct animal health reports

Dutch customs officials are warning British importers to have all of their veterinary health certificates in order if they want to bring meat products into Europe as a non-European country. The British Meat Processors Association has said that alongside five containers of Brit...

23 Jan 2021

Brazil’s JBS says China lifted pandemic-related bans on two meat plants

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Brazil-based meatpacker JBS SA said on Wednesday China has lifted bans on two meat plants imposed in 2020 over coronavirus concerns. The company said in a statement the lifting of the bans raised to 25 the total number of JBS plants in Brazil author...

23 Jan 2021

GB cattle prices increase across the board

The week ending 16 January saw all GB deadweight cattle prices record increases. The all-prime price rose 5.3p on the previous week to average 376.9p/kg. This measure is now 46p above the price achieved for the same week last year, and 33p above the five-year average. Estimate...

23 Jan 2021

Deadweight lamb prices climb again

In the week ending 16 January, the GB deadweight SQQ lamb price lifted again, jumping an impressive 50.2p to average 568.8p/kg. This is the highest price achieved in the last two years and puts the measure 114.1p above the same week last year. Estimated throughput for the ...

23 Jan 2021

UK meat exports left rotting at ports due to ‘hellish’ paperwork

UK meat shipments have been left rotting at ports this week due to burdensome paperwork brought about by Brexit. Though current trade volumes are just 20 per cent of normal levels as exporters ‘test’ the system, delays saw processors reject UK shipments and cancel future o...

22 Jan 2021

Brexit: Lamb exporter to EU ‘making virtually nothing’

One of Wales’ largest lamb exporters says the extra cost and paperwork of selling meat into the EU means it is making “virtually nothing”. Meat processing plant Randall Parker Foods in Llanidloes, Powys, warned it may lose a third of its 150 workers unless ne...

21 Jan 2021

Brits turning away from meat-free diets, retail analysis shows

The proportion of British adults cutting meat from their diet dropped significantly in 2020, according to new research. Data on retail sales from analysts Mintel explained that the pandemic proved to be a ‘temporary setback’ for plant-based products. The number of ...

21 Jan 2021

Cheap German product contributes to rise in UK pork imports volumes

UK pork import volumes towards the end of last year, due partly to the availability of cheap German product, while COVID-19 issues hit export volumes. UK pig meat exports, including offal, fell by 15% (5,700 tonnes) on the previous month in November 2020 and were down 8% (...

21 Jan 2021

Domestic demand and NZ imports dip supports lamb prices

Lamb prices have reached the ‘unprecedented position’ of being higher than the start of the marketing season last year, as they continue to rise both at auction marts and deadweight. High domestic demand and smaller amounts of New Zealand lamb have boosted prices. And desp...

20 Jan 2021

COVID, trade issues have big impact on Australia’s beef exports to the EU – Can they bounce back?

AUSTRALIA’S beef exports to the European Union collapsed to their lowest level in 16 years during 2020, due to a range of short and longer-term factors. Often categorised as Australia’s most valuable beef export market on a dollars/tonne basis, the European Union (still in...

19 Jan 2021

Meat processors join seafood Brexit protest amid ‘serious and sustained loss of trade’

The British Meat Processors Association has said it is receiving a growing number of calls from meat companies highlighting the “plethora of problems” they have been experiencing at the borders. The BMPA said the problems are now causing a “serious and sustained lo...

19 Jan 2021

ABP appoints new managing director of Irish and Polish operations

Meat processor ABP has announced the appointment of Kevin Cahill as managing director of its Irish and Polish operations. Mr Cahill rejoins the group from OSI where he was managing director Europe for the past five years. Prior to joining OSI he spent 20 years with the Kepak G...

18 Jan 2021

Brexit delays hit cull sow trade

The National Pig Association (NPA) said its processor members had reported excessive bureaucracy of new paperwork requirements was causing delays at ports. And with pork a perishable product, the delays were making shipments unattractive to buyers in the EU. The NPA highlighte...

16 Jan 2021

Post-Brexit customs systems not fit for purpose, say meat exporters

UK meat exporters have claimed post-Brexit customs systems are “not fit for purpose”, with goods delayed for hours, sometimes days, at the border. The British Meat Processor Association said even experienced exporters were struggling with the system. It said meat e...

16 Jan 2021

Brexit delays hit pork exporters

Brexit border delays have brought the UK pork sector to a standstill, with warnings knock on effects could be felt on farms. UK pork processors were experiencing significant issues in exporting pig meat, bringing part of the industry to a complete standstill. The widely seen f...

16 Jan 2021

New Scotbeef Inverurie abattoir plan on hold due to Covid

Scotbeef Inverurie’s plans to build a new abattoir in the north-east have been put on hold due to the Covid-19 crisis and economic uncertainty. The latest accounts for the company, which is jointly owned by Scotland’s largest red meat processor JW Galloway and north-east ...

16 Jan 2021

GB pig prices for week ending January 9, 2021 – biggest drop in SPP since 2016, record weights

AHDB Pork’s weekly pig prices, slaughter data and commentary for Great Britain The EU-spec SPP recorded a significant drop on the previous week in the week ending January 9. The price averaged 144.74p/kg, just shy of 2p below the previous week. This is the largest week-on-we...

16 Jan 2021

AHDB Meat Education Programme student numbers boosted by pandemic

AHDB’s Meat Education Programme has now awarded over 10,000 certificates after a surge in popularity last year, due to Covid-19 restrictions enabling more learners to commit more time, leading to improved retention and successes across its programmes. With the possibili...

16 Jan 2021

Namibia suspends poultry imports from 10 European countries due to bird flu

WINDHOEK (Reuters) – Namibia halted imports of live poultry from 10 countries on Friday following outbreaks of bird flu in Europe. The suspension affects imports from the Netherlands, Germany, Britain, Ireland, Denmark, Ukraine, Belgium, Poland, Sweden and France, the Di...

16 Jan 2021

‘Irish beef sector is facing a second cliff edge due to Brexit’

The threat of Brexit eased somewhat for beef farmers back on December 24 as a late trade deal was agreed. This meant that our beef exports to the UK, which are our largest net importers of Irish beef, will avoid heavy tariffs imposed by the World Tariff Organization (WTO) rule...

16 Jan 2021

‘Excessive bureaucracy’ brings UK meat sector to standstill

UK meat processors have warned they are experiencing major issues in exporting their products to the EU, bringing parts of the industry to a ‘complete standstill’. Pig processors have reported that excessive bureaucracy associated with new paperwork requirements ar...

16 Jan 2021

Lamb price rises pick up pace

In the week ending 9 January, the GB deadweight lamb price rose again, adding a further 32p to the overall SQQ measure, which averaged 518.6p/kg. This puts prices an impressive 68p higher than the same week last year. Some industry reports suggest higher prices still have been...

16 Jan 2021

UK supermarkets seek urgent action on Northern Ireland supplies

* Three-month grace period ends March 31 * Supermarket chiefs say current proposals are unworkable * CEOs says disruption inevitable if solution not found * British PM Johnson says there are “teething problems” Britain’s leading supermarket groups have warne...

16 Jan 2021

Weaning weight linked to lamb meat leanness

Lambs which are heaviest at weaning produce the leanest meat, according to a new study. Scientists at the Hertfordshire-based Rothamsted Research Institute have found a link between the weight of lambs in their early life and meat quality. The study, carried out at Rothamste...

12 Jan 2021

Delays at Calais hit pork exports as new Brexit controls start to bite

Delays in checking products at Calais are already causing problems for pork exports, according to the NPA. The NPA has reported that, while there currently appear to be no significant issues on the Dover side, pork exporters are now experiencing delays at Calais because ...

12 Jan 2021

COVID and Brexit checks combine to affect pig trade

Staff absenteeism due to COVID-19 continues to be a big problem for processors and hauliers, resulting on ongoing disruption, according to Thames Valley Cambac. “The backlog continued to grow and finished weights soared,” TVC said in its latest market update. “The averag...

12 Jan 2021

GB finished pig prices decline over the New Year

The EU-spec SPP continued its downwards trajectory into the New Year. In the week ending 2 January, the price dropped back a further 0.61p on the week, to average 146.73p/kg. This puts prices over 15.5p below the same week in the previous year. Meanwhile, prices remain over 1....

12 Jan 2021

Brazilian Beef Exports At Record Levels

Brazilian beef exporters saw an 8% increase in 2020 to 2.02 million metric tons. That’s according to Brazilian beef industry association Abrafrigo, which also reported revenue from beef exports last year were 11% higher at $8.4 billion. Abrafrigo said it expects a 5% increas...

11 Jan 2021

Meat company JW Galloway blames Brexit for profits slump

Scotland’s largest meat processor, JW Galloway, has blamed Brexit preparations for a 48% drop in profits last year. Accounts filed with Companies House show the family-owned business, which owns Scotbeef, Vivers Scotland and Scotbeef (Inverurie) Ltd, posted pre-tax profits o...

11 Jan 2021

Firm invests in meat-from-air idea

One of the world’s largest agricultural commodity traders is pouring money into a startup making meat from elements of the air. Archer Daniels Midland Co., Barclays and Google’s venture capital unit are leading a $32 million series A funding for Air Protein. The Ca...

11 Jan 2021

Smithfield announces new management shakeup

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Smithfield Foods on Thursday unveiled a management shakeup as the world’s largest pork processor and its new chief executive deal with the ripple effects of a pandemic-led drop in restaurant meat consumption and coronavirus infections among U.S. wor...

09 Jan 2021

Delays at Calais hit pork exports as new Brexit controls start to bite

09 Jan 2021

Danish Tican Fresh Meat A/S tests employees weekly to avoid halt in export to China

Danish Tican Fresh Meat A/S, pork producer and exporter of fresh and frozen pork, are weekly testing its employees for Covid-19 in an attempt to secure a regular export to China. The weekly testing was introduced after a small outbreak of Covid-19 amongst employees at the comp...

07 Jan 2021

Farmers drown out vegan campaign with pro meat messaging

A bevy of pro meat messages have been shared on social media and in the national press in a bid to combat anti-farming messages spread by Veganuary activists this month. Regenuary, an initiative set up by The Ethical Butcher, an online shop selling ethically sourced meats from...

05 Jan 2021

Halal abattoir applies to take over Tulip meat factory

Council bosses are being urged to make a quick decision to ensure the deal for the former Tulip Foods factory in Tipton can go ahead. Pak Mecca Limited is negotiating with the factory’s owners, Pilgrim’s Pride, to buy the land and existing buildings on George Henry Road to...

05 Jan 2021

China suspends imports from Brazil pork plant over coronavirus concerns

SAO PAULO/BEIJING, Jan 4 (Reuters) – China has suspended imports from a Brazilian pork plant operated by privately owned Aurora Alimentos over coronavirus concerns, according to a statement from a meat trade group on Monday. The Brazilian agriculture ministry confirmed t...

04 Jan 2021

Chinese supermarkets, consumers seek domestic meats to cut contamination risks

China’s meat imports have dwindled in recent months as concerns persist over the safety of imported cold-chain products, pushing up demand and prices for domestically-produced meat as Chinese customers seek safer alternatives. According to data from China’s Gener...

30 Dec 2020

Brexit: UK sausage makers face EU export ban

Raw sausages and other minced meats can no longer be exported to the EU from 1 January, according to new rules. The guidance is part of the post-Brexit trade deal agreed between the UK and the EU last week. Meat industry bodies attended a conference call with ministers on Tues...

30 Dec 2020

Karro owners announce acquisition of Irish cooked meats producer

The Eight Fifty Food Group, which owns pork processor Karro, has announced the acquisition of Irish food business Carroll’s Cuisine from Carlyle Cardinal Ireland (CCI) for an undisclosed fee. Carroll’s is a leading producer of cooked meats and convenience food in the Repu...

30 Dec 2020

China meat association calls for exporters to disinfect shipments to prevent COVID-19

BEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese meat importers and processors have called on exporters in countries with COVID-19 outbreaks to step up checks on shipments before they are sent to the world’s biggest market, China’s top industry group said. “China has been importing a large qu...

30 Dec 2020

Hong Kong suspends poultry imports from Korea and the UK

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department in Hong Kong has suspended the imports of poultry meat and products including poultry eggs from certain areas in Korea and the UK. The decision was announced after a notification was released by ...

23 Dec 2020

Unilever expands deal with Burger King to launch meat-free Whopper in Latin America, China

Unilever said today it had expanded its partnership with Burger King to supply its plant-based meat patties for Whopper burgers at restaurants in Latin America, the Caribbean and China. The product, which will be called the Plant-based Whopper on menus, is made using patties...

23 Dec 2020

Red Tractor is urging farmers to engage

RED Tractor Assurance is urging farmers to engage in a consultation in January on how its farm standards should evolve. A consultation will open on January 5 2021 with proposals put forward on how the standards should look across the scheme’s six sectors; beef and lamb, poul...

22 Dec 2020

Lamb trade holds up as numbers fall after auctioneers’ warnings

Lower lamb numbers at auction marts helped support prices at UK auction marts, following auctioneers warnings export buyers would not be requiring lambs. It comes as more than 1,500 lorries are stuck in Kent waiting to leave the UK after France closed its borders due to fears ...

22 Dec 2020

Bestway Wholesale to acquire Costcutter; extends Co-op supply deal

Bestway Wholesale has announced it has agreed a deal to acquire Costcutter Supermarkets Group (CSG) from Bibby Line Group for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition, which will complete on approval from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), will see Bestway Wholesale’s turn...

22 Dec 2020

Exporters step back from markets due to border chaos

Auction markets were expecting to feel the impact of border closures at sheep sales this week as demand drops for export weight lambs. On Sunday (December 20), France shut its border with the UK for 48 hours, meaning no lorries or ferries will sail from the port of Dover. Ted ...

22 Dec 2020

Calls for ‘orientation phase’ to iron out Brexit technicalities

An orientation phase to ‘iron out’ Brexit technicalities has been called for by the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA). The phase, as part of final negotiations with the EU, would allow changes to be staggered throughout 2021 in a bid to avoid a ‘damaging shock�...

21 Dec 2020

Cull sow shipments cancelled due to Dover port closure

Already much-reduced shipments of cull sows have been cancelled due to the closure of Dover port, after France banned UK travellers and freight due to the new strain of COVID-19. France shut its border with the UK for 48 hours on Sunday, meaning no lorries or ferry passengers...

21 Dec 2020

France closes border to UK traffic – and exports

FRANCE has shut its borders to UK hauliers for 48 hours in response to the spread of the new coronavirus variant in south-east England. The English Channel is usually busy trade route at Christmas time, with fresh produce shipped back and forth in around 10,000 lorries a day t...

21 Dec 2020

Cranswick walks away from deal talks with Harringtons owner

Cranswick has withdrawn from talks to acquire pet food brand Inspired Pet Nutrition, the meat processor said in a brief statement on Thursday, without disclosing any reason. ‘Further to its announcement of 16 December 2020, the Board of Cranswick plc today confirms that ...

18 Dec 2020

Irish meat processors call for no-deal tariff supports

Meat Industry Ireland (MII) has emphasised the importance of the EU and UK, concluding a trade deal before the transition period ends on 31st December. It comes as the Farming Independent revealed on Tuesday that the Government had intensified plans to support the agriculture ...

18 Dec 2020

A closer look at Singapore’s imports

On the 10 December, the UK signed a free trade agreement with Singapore which maintains UK access to that market after the UK leaves the EU. In the year to October, imports of all product groups into Singapore increased, except dairy, which fell by a marginal 1% on the year. I...

18 Dec 2020

China releases 16,000 tonnes of pork from state reserves

China released 16,000 tonnes of pork from its central reserves on Thursday to increase supply for the upcoming New Year and Spring Festival holidays, according to the Ministry of Commerce. The ministry said that more frozen pork reserves would be released onto the market in du...

18 Dec 2020

China Sees New Surge in Pork Prices With Imports Under Scrutiny

(Bloomberg) — Pork prices have rebounded in China as demand strengthens before a major holiday season and supply tightens because of a virus-linked crackdown on imports. Wholesale pork prices jumped almost 6% in the first week of December from a week earlier to 41.98 yua...

18 Dec 2020

UK’s Cranswick in talks to buy Harringtons owner Inspired Pet Nutrition

(Reuters) – Cranswick Plc on Wednesday confirmed it was in talks to buy pet food brand Inspired Pet Nutrition as the meat processor looks to expand its dog food operations. The company, which houses brands like Simply Sausages, Woodall’s and Yorkshire Baker, said it in...

18 Dec 2020

Irish beef exports to China suspended since May

China ban has reduced the value of Irish 2020 beef exports by an estimated €60m. Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has confirmed that Irish beef shipments to China have been suspended since an isolated case of atypical BSE was confirmed in Co Tipperary in mid-May. The...

16 Dec 2020

Scottish lamb producers face the Great Brexit unknown

WITH only two weeks to go until the end of the European Union exit transition period, Scotland’s sheepmeat sector is on tenterhooks. According to the latest market commentary by Quality Meat Scotland, the latest meeting between the UK Prime Minister and the European Commissi...

16 Dec 2020

How a New Zealand Meat Exporter Is Navigating the Pandemic

It’s tough enough maintaining a reliable domestic food supply chain during the coronavirus pandemic. Imagine, then, the challenge of managing one that stretches nearly 8,000 miles. Silver Fern Farms is New Zealand’s largest processor and marketer of livestock and red meat...

16 Dec 2020

NZ Lamb numbers up, despite a challenging year for farmers

Despite tough droughts and meat processing restrictions as a result of Covid-19, farmers have achieved a near record number of lambs this season. For every 100 ewes, an average of 130 lambs were born compared with an average of 124 over the prior 10 years, Beef and Lamb New Ze...

15 Dec 2020

High prices mean no-deal sheep compensation may not be needed, says Eustice

Defra Secretary George Eustice has said the current ‘buoyancy’ of the UK sheep market may mean the sector will not need to be compensated in the event of a no-deal Brexit. His comments came as the Prime Minister agreed with the EU to ‘go the extra mile’ and continue tr...

15 Dec 2020

China Sees New Surge in Pork Prices With Imports Under Scrutiny

14 Dec 2020

Brexit: Lamb sector ‘contingency planning’ for UK

A four nations approach to “contingency planning” for the lamb sector is being discussed between the Welsh and UK governments. NFU Cymru has criticised a lack of no-deal planning, saying “implications haven’t been taken seriously”. The UK governme...

14 Dec 2020

Food Standards Agency extends shelf-life for chilled beef, pork and lamb

CHILLED MEAT has been granted an increased shelf life of 13 days following a UK-wide consultation. The Food Standards Association has revised its 10-day use-by rule for vacuum and modified atmosphere packed fresh beef, lamb and pork, in a move which is hoped will benefit both ...

14 Dec 2020

BMPA welcomes FSA’s revision to shelf-life guidance for meat products

The British Meat Processors Association has welcomed the decision by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to revise the guidance on fresh meat sell-by dates in line with the new scientific evidence. Following years of scientific research, it has been proven that use-by dates c...

14 Dec 2020

R J Balson and Son using Whatsapp to connect with customers this Christmas

BRITAIN’S oldest butcher is making use of modern technology to promote its Christmas meats in a secure, contact-free way. R J Balson and Son in Bridport is using the WhatsApp Business app to help sell turkeys and other produce. A QR code will be displayed on the shopfron...

11 Dec 2020

Germany continues talks with China over pork import bans

HAMBURG, Dec 10 (Reuters) – The German government is continuing intensive talks with China about relaxing import bans on German pork imposed after the discovery of African swine fever (ASF) in the country this autumn, Germany’s agriculture ministry said on Thursday. Ch...

11 Dec 2020

Soaring pork exports buck downward trend for UK food and drink

Pork has bucked an otherwise declining trend within the UK food and drink sector to significantly increase export volumes so far this year. In terms of export value, pork now lies fifth on the list of UK food and drink products, behind only whisky, chocolate salmon and chees...

11 Dec 2020

UK red meat sector faces ‘permanent change’ in new year

The UK red meat sector must prepare for ‘inevitable and permanent change’ from 1 January 2021, an industry body has warned. Concerns have been raised over a possible no-deal between the UK and the EU, and the possibility of WTO tariffs hitting key export markets ha...

11 Dec 2020

Flush with cash, Chinese hog producer builds world’s largest pig farm

NANYANG, China (Reuters) – Behind the walls of a hulking industrial compound in rural China, top pig producer Muyuan Foods is trying to raise more hogs on a single site than any company in the world – a risky investment with deadly African swine fever lingering. Th...

11 Dec 2020

Nestle launches plant-based meats in China

Nestle SA is jumping into the fake-meat business in China, seeking to revive weakening sales there by grabbing market share in the world’s biggest pork-consuming nation. The Swiss company Wednesday introduced a range of plant-based meat alternatives in China under its Harves...

11 Dec 2020

How other nations are feasting on China’s beef with Australia

At the China International Import expo in Shanghai last month, the Argentinian Beef Association was ready to pounce on Australia’s misfortune. Argentina has maintained strong diplomatic relations with China since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Beijing sent to...

11 Dec 2020

Eustice refuses to offer support for local abattoir network

Defra Secretary George Eustice has been accused of ‘missing the point’ on slaughterhouse investment, after he suggested no local abattoir network policy was needed to accommodate Government plans for shorter livestock journeys. Last week, the Government launched an eight-w...

11 Dec 2020

Further increases for GB lamb

GB lamb prices rose yet again in the latest week. In the week ending 9 December, the GB liveweight NSL SQQ lifted by almost 2p to average 218.13p/kg. This measure is now 26p above the same week last year, and 44p above the five-year average. Total throughput at British auction...

11 Dec 2020

Plant & Bean ‘meat’ factory set to open in Lincolnshire

A vegan “meat” factory is set to open in Lincolnshire, creating up to 500 jobs. Plant & Bean said the 65-acre site in Boston would help meet an increased demand for plant-based products. The factory is due to open in the new year, and bosses said it would be Eu...

09 Dec 2020

‘Major change’: AHDB unveils 2021-2026 strategy

AHDB has unveiled its new five-year strategy with a focus on improving accountability, boosting export markets and farm business performance. The 2021-2026 strategy [PDF] lays out AHDB’s plans for the next five years as it embarks on a ‘major change’ to imp...

09 Dec 2020

‘Resourcing crisis’ could hit exports after 1 Jan, industry warns

Farming groups have called for ‘urgent action’ from government as exporters of Products of Animal Origin face a ‘resourcing crisis’ after 1 January 2021. If outstanding issues are not resolved, 2021 export volumes could be reduced by up to half of curre...

09 Dec 2020

China trade bans spread to big lamb exporters

Chinese trade sanctions have spread to lamb with two of Australia’s biggest exporters effectively banned from the industry’s biggest market. China is refusing to accept sheep meat from Australian Lamb Company and JBS Brooklyn after they were closed for short period...

09 Dec 2020

Beef imports to EU should be suspended in event of no-deal Brexit – IFA

The Irish Farmers Association has said that all beef imports into the European Union should be “suspended immediately” in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The IFA President, Tim Cullinan, said that the Mercosur Trade Agreement – which would allow for the impor...

09 Dec 2020

Small English Town Poised to Become Europe’s Fake-Meat Capital

(Bloomberg) — Surrounded by some of England’s most fertile farmland, the small town of Boston will become Europe’s fake-meat capital next month with the opening of a giant factory making plant-based burgers and sausages. Plant & Bean Ltd.’s new factory, the lar...

08 Dec 2020

China imports 775,000 tonnes of meat in November – customs

BEIJING, Dec 7 (Reuters) – China imported 775,000 tonnes of meat in November, customs data showed on Monday, slightly up from the prior month as buyers stocked up for the winter months, China’s peak demand season. Imports were up 1.8% from October’s 761,000 tonnes bu...

08 Dec 2020

Lamb revenue boosted by almost £2.5m thanks to nationwide campaign

A six-week campaign to encourage British shoppers to Make It with lamb has generated an additional £2.45million in sales, new data has revealed. A collective effort between Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) England, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and Hybu Cig...

08 Dec 2020

Welsh beef and lamb ‘among lowest greenhouse gas emissions’

WELSH lamb and beef producers have the potential to be some of the most sustainable meat farming systems in the world, according to researchers. A study from Bangor University found Welsh sheep and beef farms using non-intensive methods have among the lowest greenhouse gas emi...

07 Dec 2020

China suspends importation of more Australian beef as trade battle escalates

China has suspended the importation of more Australian beef, this time from Meramist Pty Ltd, the sixth supplier to face such a move in a country that is one of China’s main meat suppliers. China made the decision yesterday but did not provide a reason. It has already ba...

07 Dec 2020

Brexit: Lambs to the slaughter

Brexit talks have been passed back to negotiators, with little sign of progress from the UK and EU leadership, and with no deal getting worryingly close for exporters. Sheep meat is one sector facing particularly high tariffs – put there to protect British and other Euro...

07 Dec 2020

Hong Kong suspends import of poultry meat and products from areas in Germany and Japan

Hong Kong Government press release The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 7) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and Japanese authorities about outbreaks of highl...

07 Dec 2020

Bird flu outbreak confirmed at second Norfolk turkey farm

A turkey farm near King’s Lynn has become Norfolk’s second confirmed case of bird flu within 24 hours. Animal health officials have confirmed the highly-pathogenic H5N8 strain of avian influenza in rearing turkeys at a premises between Gayton and East Winch. Defr...

05 Dec 2020

China’s coronavirus testing rules for frozen meats give importers a chill

Companies report already-low margins are being squeezed further as they comply with stricter requirements, despite WHO advice Cases of imports contaminated with the virus continue to pile up and Chinese officials are taking no chances China has pressed ahead with coronavirus t...

05 Dec 2020

GB lamb prices strengthen

Both liveweight and deadweight GB lamb prices rose in the latest week. In the week ending 2 December, the GB liveweight NSL SQQ rose by 2.4p to average 216.2p/kg. The measure continues to run well above historic prices, being up 22.6p on last year’s price and up 40.6p on ...

05 Dec 2020

China’s meat imports could plunge next year

China’s vigorous testing of all inbound frozen food shipments for virus risk, as well as the recovery in domestic hog numbers, could cause meat imports to plunge as much as 30% next year. Long and cumbersome testing procedures increase the risks for meat importers, prompting...

03 Dec 2020

Calls for investment in abattoir network after live export ban consultation launched

Industry bodies have called for heavy investment in a local abattoir network after the Government launched a consultation on banning live exports. Defra Secretary George Eustice said the move would ‘strengthen the UK’s position as a world leader on animal welfare’, but t...

03 Dec 2020

BVA anticipates tough times ahead for UK vets

The UK veterinary profession is facing a tough future with Covid, Brexit, and exotic disease all taking their toll, according to a new report from the British Veterinary Association (BVA). The report assesses the readiness of the UK and raises serious questions around veteri...

03 Dec 2020

Another challenging week as pork plant capacity remains under pressure

Last week proved to be another challenging one with kill capacities still below the norm, and little opportunity to process the typical throughputs for this time of year, according to Thames Valley Cambac. “This meant that the slaughter pig backlog increased again, with seri...

03 Dec 2020

Prime cattle prices lift once more

The prime cattle market continued to climb in the most recent week. In the week ending 28 November, the GB all prime average stood at 374.8p/kg, up on the previous week by 1.5p. This measure is now 48p above the price achieved for the same week last year, and around 27p above ...

03 Dec 2020

GB pig prices drop back further

In the week ending 28 November, the EU-spec SPP dropped back by 1.87p to average 152.02p/kg. This now puts prices 7.52p below this time last year. Estimated throughput is down on the previous week by 5,100 head to total 173,000 head. This is another very low throughput for the...

03 Dec 2020

British Pig & Poultry Fair put back until 2022

The next British Pig & Poultry Fair will take place in May 2022, rather than May 2021 as had been provisionally planned. Following the cancellation of the 2020 event due to COVID-19, provisional dates for were announced for May 2021. But in an update on Friday, Alice Be...

03 Dec 2020

Live animal exports to be banned in England and Wales

Sending live animals abroad for slaughter will be banned in England and Wales under new government plans. Environment Secretary George Eustice said the ban could be in force by the end of 2021 in a post-Brexit break from EU trade rules. The RSPCA welcomed the move, saying it w...

02 Dec 2020

Groups call for Covid vaccine priority for meat workers

Key workers in the meat industry should have priority access to Covid-19 vaccinations given the importance of the UK food chain, industry groups have said. A letter has been sent to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, urging government to place key workers in ...

02 Dec 2020

Singapore approves sale of lab-grown meat in world first

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Singapore has given U.S. start-up Eat Just the greenlight to sell its lab-grown chicken meat, in what the firm says is the world’s first regulatory approval for so-called clean meat that does not come from slaughtered animals. The meat, to be sold...

02 Dec 2020

New Zealand red meat exports drop

The value of New Zealand red meat exports dropped 18% in October compared to the previous year. The market analysis, by the Meat Industry Association, also showed that sheepmeat exports fell by 25%. A 14% fall in the value of beef exports was also reported. Exports and co-prod...

01 Dec 2020

Australia: Qatar moves to shut down $300m lamb trade after strip search row

Qatar has taken steps to shut down the $300 million-a-year lamb trade with Australia in the latest blow to farmers and meat processors already suffering from China import bans. In what some see as another retaliatory blow linked to culturally insensitive diplomacy, Qatar has a...

01 Dec 2020

BVA welcome for Scottish abattoir CCTV

The BVA has welcomed new legislation in Scotland that will make CCTVs compulsory in the country’s abattoirs. Legislation was approved by the Scottish Parliament on 11 November and will come into force on 1 July 2021. Introduction of CCTV coverage in slaughterhouses has been ...

01 Dec 2020

Red meat sales beef up as more shoppers turn to local butchers

Sales of Scottish red meat through butchers are up by a fifth, according to Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). Analysis from the levy body reveals red meat sales through butcher shops are growing faster than the market average. QMS said butchers were experiencing a 21.7% increase in...

30 Nov 2020

German minister urges meatpackers to work overtime to clear farm backlog

HAMBURG (Reuters) – Germany’s agriculture minister called on Friday for slaughterhouses and meatpackers to work at weekends and on public holidays to deal with a backlog of animals that has built up on farms during the coronavirus crisis. Industry estimates are that 59...

30 Nov 2020

Saudi Arabia has suspended Turkish meat imports – Turkish union

ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia formally suspended imports of meat, eggs and other products from Turkey earlier this month, the Turkish exporters’ union said, after a months-long informal boycott of Turkish goods over political tensions between the two regional rival...

30 Nov 2020

Steak out: China’s coronavirus testing chokes beef trade

BEIJING (Reuters) – In a supermarket in downtown Beijing, refrigerator shelves normally filled with steak from around the world sit empty as tougher testing for the novel coronavirus creates supply bottlenecks and raises prices for importers. Fresh supplies of beef won�...

27 Nov 2020

Chinese beef imports rise as consumer tastes evolve

Chinese imports of beef have recorded impressive growth this year. In the year to September, China imported 1.57 million tonnes of fresh and frozen beef, according to Chinese government statistics. This is almost 40% more than the same period in the previous year. This is a...

26 Nov 2020

78 meat factory workers test positive for Covid-19

Health officials are investigating after 78 workers at a meat processing plant in Aberdeenshire tested positive for Covid-19. NHS Grampian does not believe the cluster of cases at the Kepak McIntosh Donald in Portlethen has spread beyond the plant, but testing of 200 employees...

26 Nov 2020

Covid-19 outbreak at Kepak meat processing factory, Bodmin

ADDITIONAL testing is to be carried out on staff after an outbreak of Covid 19 at a Cornish meat processing plant. Public Health England (PHE) South West and Cornwall Council say they are aware of a number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Kepak meat processing factory, Bodmin...

25 Nov 2020

Australian Lamb and mutton price gap closes in

Elevated mutton prices off the back of heavy demand coinciding with easing lamb prices has seen the price relationship between the two edge closer. Last week the National Mutton Indicator and the National Lamb Indicator (NTLI) moved closer together with mutton sitting just 17 ...

25 Nov 2020

China reports 22 new coronavirus cases as Tianjin flags ‘pig head’ link

SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China recorded 22 new COVID-19 infections on Nov. 23, up from 11 a day earlier, the country’s health authority said, while an official from the city of Tianjin said two confirmed cases this month caught the virus from pig heads from North America. ...

25 Nov 2020

‘Very stressful’: COVID-19 surge slices U.S. demand for big Thanksgiving turkeys

CHICAGO (Reuters) – All summer, Greg Gunthorp slaughtered and froze 15- to 24-pound turkeys on his northeastern Indiana farm for Thanksgiving sales to retailers, restaurants and families across the Midwest. But as surging COVID-19 cases prompted U.S. cities and states to...

25 Nov 2020

Taiwan voices confidence in trade deal with new U.S. government

TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan’s foreign minister voiced confidence on Saturday that the incoming government of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden would support a long sought-after bilateral trade agreement, following high level economic talks with the outgoing administration. ...

25 Nov 2020

China to remain pork importer for 4-5 years – Danish Crown CEO

COPENHAGEN, Nov 19 (Reuters) – The world’s top pork consumer China is likely to remain an importer of the meat for up to five years as new outbreaks of African swine fever delays attempts to restore pig production, head of Europe’s biggest pork producer said on Thurs...

25 Nov 2020

China’s irritated trade partners push back on coronavirus food tests

BEIJING/GENEVA (Reuters) – Major food-producing countries are growing increasingly frustrated with China’s scrutiny of imported products and are calling on it to stop aggressive testing for the coronavirus, which some say is tantamount to a trade restriction. China say...

24 Nov 2020

Vaccine could keep meat supply chain rolling

The British Meat Processing Association makes its case for meat processing workers to be front of the queue for COVID-19 vaccine. The world has been buoyed in recent weeks by the results of late-stage trials of vaccines against COVID-19, which have indicated strong immune resp...

19 Nov 2020

Brexit: NI farmers support all-Ireland beef status bid

Northern Ireland farmers have insisted their beef should be included in an all-Ireland bid for special EU status. It is to be asked to approve special recognition for beef which is raised on grass. It is what is known as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and is a prize...

19 Nov 2020

Exploring benefits of pasture-raised beef and lamb

New Zealanders will be invited to take part in a major research programme to assess the health and wellbeing benefits of eating pasture-raised beef and lamb, compared to alternatives. Approximately 100 people will be monitored in two ground-breaking clinical studies, led by re...

19 Nov 2020

GB finished pig prices have recorded another week of decline in the week ending 14 November. The EU-spec SPP fell by 1.29p on the week to average 154.05p/kg. This puts the measure almost 4.3p below the same week in the previous year. The price for carcases 70.0-104.9kg al...

19 Nov 2020

Beyond Meat launches plant-based minced pork in China

Hong Kong (CNN Business)Beyond Meat is launching a plant-based version of China’s favorite meat. The California-based company unveiled its latest product on Wednesday: meatless minced “pork.” The new product is intended to mimic the taste of the popular filli...

19 Nov 2020

Belgian Meat Office: The Philippines Lift Ban on Importing European Pork from Belgium

BRUSSELS, Nov. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — On 26 October, the Philippine Government published a memorandum order to lift the temporary ban on the importation of domestic pigs and their products from Belgium. The order took immediate effect. Just over two years after the ASF ...

19 Nov 2020

Sheep farmers need EU trade deal, says Conservative MP

Getting a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union is “very important to sheep farming”, a Tory MP has said. Former Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb said agricultural communities would not be “satisfied” if the transition period ended without an agre...

17 Nov 2020

Covid cases confirmed at Scotbeef meat plant

Operations were paused at one of the country’s main meat processing plants earlier this week after a number of its staff tested positive for Covid-19. Scotbeef confirmed the cases at its Bridge of Allan plant and said a phased return to getting the facility up and running wa...

17 Nov 2020

Ag Bill secures fairer share of red meat levy for GB nations

Changes to the distribution of the GB red meat levy will be implemented next year, with Scotland and Wales receiving more than £1m from English abattoirs. The passing of the Agriculture Bill has helped secure a fairer share of the red meat levy for England, Scotland and Wales...

17 Nov 2020

Pig farming in Croatia under threat

ZAGREB, Nov 17 (Hina) – The Croatian association of pig farmers (HUPS) on Tuesday warned that the import of pigs and pork of suspect quality and health safety at dumping prices is continuing, which poses a major threat to pig farming in Croatia. “The pig market in Croatia ...

17 Nov 2020

Meat from plants: Could animal proteins grown in GM crops be used to make burgers?

Using a genetic engineering technique known as molecular farming, believes it can leverage the scale of production of crop farming to create animal proteins more cost effectively than other forms of cellular agriculture – like cultured meat – can do today. The technique, ...

16 Nov 2020

New Zealand’s Ardern says no COVID on meat exports; checking Chinese claims

WELLINGTON (Reuters) – New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday she was confident no meat products were exported from the country with COVID-19, after Chinese authorities said they had detected coronavirus on its frozen beef products. The Chinese city of ...

16 Nov 2020

Hong Kong suspends Import of poultry meat and products from areas in Russia, Netherlands and UK

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 16) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza in Khanty-Mansi Autonomou...

16 Nov 2020

Tyson Foods announces plans to expand poultry processing in Europe

Tyson Foods has announced plans to build new production facilities in China and Thailand, and expand its facility in the Netherlands. The latest expansions, adding over 100,000 metric tons of fully cooked poultry capacity, build on the company’s global growth strategy. “Gl...

15 Nov 2020

Scottish meat company enjoys online sales boost during lockdown

A massive increase in online sales has helped one of Scotland’s leading meat suppliers weather the coronavirus pandemic. Campbell’s Prime Meat, which is one of Scotland’s biggest suppliers of meat direct to hotels, restaurants and caterers, reported a 350% increase in on...

15 Nov 2020

China finds coronavirus on frozen beef, tripe from various countries

BEIJING (Reuters) – The eastern Chinese city of Jinan said it has found the new coronavirus on beef and tripe, and on packaging for these products, from Brazil, New Zealand and Bolivia as China ramps up testing on frozen foods. The importers were a unit of Guotai Interna...

13 Nov 2020

Heavy lambs lose £5-£10 as lockdown 2 hits

Catering outlet closures hit heavy lamb prices at the start of the week as the sheep sector faced a second national lockdown and market disruption. Monday’s heavy lamb values slipped 9.8p/kg on the week for 45.6-52kg offerings and 52kg-plus lots were back 20-25p/kg to below ...

13 Nov 2020

Deadweight lamb prices show promise whilst liveweight drop back

Liveweight lamb prices dropped back slightly over the last week. The GB liveweight NSL SQQ price averaged 204.79p/kg for the week ending 11 November. Liveweight lamb prices are down nearly 5p on the previous week, however they are still up 17p on the same week last year. Durin...

13 Nov 2020

Russian pig meat exports soar on back of strong production growth

Russian exports of pig meat (incl. offal) have continued to perform well this year, reflecting the growth in production. Russian exports between January and August totalled 143,300 tonnes, 80% more than the same period in the previous year. The nation has gained access ...

13 Nov 2020

McDonald’s to launch plant-based burger next year

McDonald’s is the latest fast food giant to capitalise on the plant-based market after it announced its first ever vegan burger will be sold from 2021. McDonald’s, which has over 38,000 stores worldwide, is launching the ‘McPlant’ burger to cater to the...

13 Nov 2020

China finds coronavirus on packaging of Brazilian beef

BEIJING (Reuters) – The Chinese city of Wuhan said on Friday it had detected the novel coronavirus on the packaging of a batch of Brazilian beef, as it ramped up testing of frozen foods this week as part of a nationwide campaign. The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission sai...

11 Nov 2020

Electric nose sniffs out freshness of meat

A team of scientists led by Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore have invented an artificial olfactory system that mimics the mammalian nose and aims to assess the freshness of meat. The ‘electric nose’ (e-nose) comprises a ‘barcode’ that reacts with gases...

10 Nov 2020

China’s Appetite For Meat Continues To Strengthen

Despite the impact of COVID-19 and African swine fever, China’s appetite for meat is showing no sign of slowing down. The country is the world’s largest consumer of meat by some margin, with citizens expected to eat 40.3 million metric tons of pork in 2020, according t...

10 Nov 2020

Premium Meat processor reports a €1.29m loss for 2019 and ‘notable reduction’ in some trading activity due to Covid 19

A meat processing group co-owned by ABP recorded a pre-tax loss of €1.29m last year after a drop in revenues. New consolidated accounts for the Slaney Foods and Irish Country Meats businesses show that Wexford Beef & Lamb Unlimited Company (WBL) recorded a pre-tax loss o...

10 Nov 2020

Beef exports take a €70m hit from Covid restrictions in EU markets

Irish beef shipments to key European markets have been severely impacted by Covid-19, with export volumes to some prime markets back as much as 20pc. Stark figures from Bord Bia for the first eight months of this year show a sharp decline in exports of beef to the UK, France, ...

10 Nov 2020

UK ban imposed on freight drivers who have been in Denmark over past 14 days

The Government has banned freight drivers who have been in or passed through Denmark in the last 14 days, following the emergence of a new strain of coronavirus in mink in the the country. The announcement follows the release of further information from health authorities i...

09 Nov 2020

UK beef self-sufficiency and impacts of Brexit

In 2019, the UK was 86% self-sufficient for Beef. This was an increase of 6% on the previous year due to a combination of increased production and reduced consumption. More beef needed to be exported to balance the market. With self-sufficiency at this level, the UK is of cour...

09 Nov 2020

Nestle uses insect protein in Purina pet food

LONDON/ZURICH (Reuters) – Nestle’s Purina brand is launching a line of pet food using insects, as the world’s biggest food group tests more environmentally sustainable protein sources. The move addresses a trend of people seeking more eco-friendly or allergen-free di...

09 Nov 2020

McDonald’s to debut ‘McPlant’ in 2021

(Reuters) – Burger chain McDonald’s Corp on Monday decided to debut a line of plant-based meat alternatives called “McPlant” in 2021, including a patty that Beyond Meat subsequently said it helped co-create. “Beyond Meat and McDonald’s co-created t...

09 Nov 2020

Backlog on farms ‘inevitable’ as COVID problems curtail processing

A backlog of pigs on farms is inevitable as pork processing factories continue to face problems with COVID-19, according to Thames Valley Cambac. Significant problems were experienced last week at two large plants, while others had kills curtailed sharply, as the supply cha...

09 Nov 2020

Reduced kills at pork plants becoming a concern in run-up to Christmas

The state of the market is now more about movement of volume rather than price, according to Thames Valley Cambac. Alongside the partial closure of Cranswick’s Watton site due to COVID-19, there are a growing number of reduced kills at other plants. At a time of year whe...

09 Nov 2020

Coronavirus outbreak infects staff at south Shropshire abattoir

Euro Quality Lambs, which employs around 100 staff in Craven Arms, confirmed eight of its employees had tested positive for coronavirus over the last two weeks. The Dale Street-based abattoir said a further 18 people were tested as a precaution and returned negative tests. Riz...

06 Nov 2020

Taiwan bans importation of Japan poultry on reports of bird flu

Taipei, Nov. 5 (CNA) Taiwan has removed Japan from its list of countries free of avian influenza and banned the import of poultry products from that country, after an outbreak was confirmed on a farm there, the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHI...

06 Nov 2020

Covid: 256 workers at Cranswick Country Foods test positive

More than 250 workers have tested positive for Covid-19 after an outbreak at a meat processing plant, a director of public health has said. Around 1,000 staff at Cranswick County Foods at Watton in Norfolk have now been tested for the virus. Norfolk County Council director of ...

06 Nov 2020

Mixed bag for GB lamb prices

In the week ending 4 November, the GB NSL liveweight SQQ price jumped by over 10p to average 209.55p/kg. The measure currently stands at nearly 32p above last year’s price and nearly 42p above the five-year average for the time of year. Total lamb throughput at British auct...

05 Nov 2020

3,500 jobs to go as Sainsbury’s axes meat, fish and deli counters

The grocer said the closure of the counters is part of efforts to ‘better reflect customer demand’ and will save the business around £60 million. Sainsbury’s has said it will cut around 3,500 jobs as part of plans to permanently close all its meat, fish and deli counter...

05 Nov 2020

African swine fever confirmed in second German state

African swine fever (ASF) has been confirmed in a second German state, Saxony, in the district of Görlitz, close to the Polish border. By November 1, the Friedrich Loeffler Institute had confirmed 123 cases, all in wild boar. Domestic pig herds in Germany are still free of AS...

04 Nov 2020

Foot and mouth disease outbreak spreads in Namibia

WINDHOEK (Reuters) – Foot and mouth disease-prone Namibia has been hit by another outbreak of the highly contagious disease a month after it was detected in the north of the country, the ministry of agriculture said on Wednesday. The disease, which does not affect humans...

04 Nov 2020

Denmark reverses ‘two meat-free days a week’ policy

Denmark has reversed its stance on imposing two meat-free days a week in state canteens, with the government now saying it is up to individual workplaces whether they want to introduce it or not. Officials had planned to introduce two vegetarian days a week in the canteens, al...

28 Oct 2020

U.S., Vietnam sign $500 million deal to form ‘Pork Consortium’

HANOI (Reuters) – The Vietnam Trade Alliance, a grouping of buyers and producers, signed a pact on Wednesday to buy up to $500 million worth of American pork over three years, the U.S. embassy in Hanoi said on Wednesday. A memorandum of understanding called a “U.S.-Vie...

26 Oct 2020

Beef and lamb producers share fears over no-deal Brexit trade tariffs

Red meat exporters in Wales say they are ready for Brexit – but are still worried about tariffs. Lamb and beef exporters in Wales are as prepared as they can be for new paperwork and administration at the end of the Brexit transition period. But they are very concerned about...

24 Oct 2020

Veggie Burgers Can Be Called Burgers, European Parliament Says

The European Parliament came together Friday to vote on a variety of issues, including whether a veggie burger is a burger. Farmer lobbyists argued no. Environmentalists said yes. The Parliament said yes, too, in a decisive vote against a measure that would ban plant-based m...

24 Oct 2020

Germany takes extra slice of EU pork sales after Asian ban

HAMBURG/LONDON, Oct 21 (Reuters) – Germany’s meat processors are sending pork chops and bacon previously earmarked for Asia to supermarkets across the European Union after China, South Korea and Japan banned German imports due to an outbreak of African Swine Fever in w...

24 Oct 2020

China sets 95% self-sufficiency target for pig meat

A document recently released by the Chinese Government highlights their ambitions for food security in livestock sectors. The nation is now aiming to produce 95% of its pig meat demand domestically, achieved through a rapid rebuilding of its pig herd following the ASF epid...

24 Oct 2020

Chinese pork imports skyrocket, but it may be short lived

Global pork demand rebounded following Covid-19 disruption in most geographies, yet supply remains constrained in many Asian markets, senior analyst of animal protein Rabobank, Christine McCracken has reported. The imbalance continues to support strong export demand from the r...

23 Oct 2020

High lambing rates boost Scottish lamb crop

Productivity improvements have boosted the Scottish lamb crop in 2020 with the Scottish Government’s June census for 2020 indicating a lamb crop almost 70,000 head higher than last year. “Scotland’s lamb crop now sits at just over 3.32m, an increase of 2.1 per cent,” s...

20 Oct 2020

NZ meat exports at risk

Nearly half of NZ’s meat exports are at risk unless there is urgent action by government to allow migrant workers to stay in New Zealand. That’s the warning from NZ’s meat processing sector organisation the Meat Industry Association (MIA). It claims meat processing and e...

20 Oct 2020

China pork production shows signs of recovery

BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s third-quarter pork production rose 18% from a year earlier to 8.4 million tonnes, according to Reuters calculations based on official data, pointing to the first signs of recovery in the world’s top producer. It was the first quarter since...

16 Oct 2020

Making a meal of it – England’s pubs ponder pasties to beat lockdown curbs

LONDON (Reuters) – Pub owners across England’s COVID-19 hotspots were on Tuesday pondering a question that could decide if they survive or sink due to the coronavirus lockdown – when is a pub a pub, and when does it become a restaurant? The question has sparked a...

16 Oct 2020

Pilgrim’s Pride strikes plea deal over U.S. chicken price-fixing charges

(Reuters) – U.S. poultry company Pilgrim’s Pride Corp said on Wednesday it will pay a $110.5 million fine after striking a plea deal with the Justice Department over price-fixing charges on chicken products. The guilty plea makes Pilgrim’s Pride, mostly owned...

16 Oct 2020

BBC admits meat documentary breached impartiality guidelines

A controversial BBC programme which blamed livestock production for climate change has been pulled off iPlayer after the broadcaster admitted it breached impartiality guidelines. The NFU issued a complaint to the BBC over inaccuracy and bias in its hour-long documentary ‘M...

15 Oct 2020

Coronavirus continues to impact Australian lamb market

The Coronavirus continues to impact on Australia’s lamb market as consumer demand remains uncertain, particularly in export markets, according to Rural Bank’s commodity insights update released this week. Tony Williams, Rural Bank’s Regional Manager Agribusin...

14 Oct 2020

Carbon tax ‘unfair’ hit on Welsh beef cattle

Plans to impose a £100 carbon tax on prime beef cattle finished later than 27 months old could result in the phasing out of important traditional breeds that play an important role in managing Wales’ hills and uplands. The industry body, the National Beef Association (NBA),...

14 Oct 2020

Norway is faced with a lack of pork ribs so tariffs on imported pork are being cut

From Tuesday, tariffs on pork will be reduced as the coronavirus pandemic has contributed to greater demand. According to Nortura – a Norwegian agricultural cooperative that operates slaughterhouses and other processing plants related to meat – more ribs will be imported t...

14 Oct 2020

Brazil keen to show EU-Mercosur accord still has support in Europe

Brazilian Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina Dias said Portugal favors swift approval of the trade agreement between the European Union and the South American trade bloc Mercosur as she visited Lisbon, according to a statement late on Monday. “We remain committed so that t...

12 Oct 2020

Scotch Beef misses out on historic day

Scottish beef farmers have missed out on having their produce included in the first export of UK beef to the United States in 20 years. When American chefs, butchers, importers, distributors, wholesalers and members of the press sit down to samples of sirloin and topside mini ...

12 Oct 2020

CLA issues warning about impact of a no-deal on lamb sector

THE Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has issued a stark warning this week to the Government on the impact that a no-deal would have on Britain’s competitiveness in EU agricultural markets. The CLA, which represents 30,000 rural businesses in England and Wales, say...

12 Oct 2020

Drought shrinks NZ flock and lamb crop

The New Zealand national flock shrank by 2% in the year to 30 June, according to the latest stock survey by Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ). Much of the fall was due to lower numbers of hoggets, which decreased by 8% to 8.4 million head. This was mostly due to many farmers d...

09 Oct 2020

‘Dangerous’ for UK sheep sector to be so heavily reliant on EU market, warns Truss

Trade Secretary Liz Truss has warned it is ‘dangerous’ for the UK sheep sector to be so heavily reliant on the EU market for lamb exports. The Minister said she thought it was important from a resilience perspective for the UK to open up new markets for British lamb. “Cu...

09 Oct 2020

After softening in recent weeks, prime cattle prices remained steady in the week ending the 3 October. The GB all prime average deadweight cattle price stood at 367.5p/kg, up 0.5p on the week before. Despite the recent declines, prices remain high compared to last year, up 45p...

09 Oct 2020

Chinese wholesale pork prices fall despite decision to ban German imports

Despite China now no longer accepting German pork after African Swine Fever has been detected in Germany’s pig herd, the Asian country’s wholesale pork prices have fallen according to the latest numbers from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture. Estimates indicate that ...

09 Oct 2020

NI beef processors place hope in US to replace ‘lost’ Canadian market

Meat processors in Northern Ireland are hoping newly-cleared access to the US could replace sales to the Canadian market, should access be lost following the UK’s Brexit completion. Two Northern Ireland processers are among the first from the UK to be approved for access to ...

09 Oct 2020

The first lab-grown meat for sale could come from this Singapore startup that’s re-creating shrimp

SINGAPORE — In an industrial corner of Singapore, multiplying steadily in bioreactors heated precisely to 82 degrees, real shrimp meat is being grown from samples of the crustacean’s microscopic cells. Fed a nutrient-rich soup meant to mimic its diet in the wild, a sing...

09 Oct 2020

ABP creates 200 new entry level positions for young people

UK food producer ABP has announced it is creating 200 new entry level vacancies and apprenticeships in collaboration with Youth Employment UK, an organisation dedicated to tackling youth unemployment. The new positions, available in areas such as butchery, abattoir, process im...

09 Oct 2020

SPP continues to fall

In the week ending 3 October, the GB EU-spec SPP stood at 158.23p/kg, falling on the week by 1.39p. This was the largest weekly decline since January 2018. All weight bands, except those under 59.9kg, fell in price. Low prices across the continent continue to influence domesti...

09 Oct 2020

Finished lambs drop back, but still remain up on last year

In the week ending 7 October, the GB liveweight NSL SQQ averaged 196.96p/kg, down 0.85p on the previous week. Despite this minimal decrease, prices still remain up by in excess of 29p/kg compared to this time last year. The gap remains tight between prices for store lam...

09 Oct 2020

Farmer backlash over controversial NBA beef proposals

A number of farmers have threatened to quit the National Beef Association (NBA) over a controversial report which recommended redefining the age of prime cattle to improve the industry’s carbon footprint. A major row erupted after details of the report, published in Farmers...

09 Oct 2020

Millions of lambs ‘may go to waste’ after no-deal Brexit

The imposition of tariffs and regulatory checks in the event of a no-deal could lead to millions of lamb carcasses going to waste, a rural group warns. A no-deal after the transition period ends on 31 December 2020 will have a detrimental effect on the UK farming sectors most ...

08 Oct 2020

German meatpackers should work longer hours after virus curbs – minister

HAMBURG, Oct 8 (Reuters) – Germany’s agriculture minister on Thursday called for state governments to allow abattoirs and meatpackers to work longer hours to deal with a backlog of animals that built up on farms during the coronavirus crisis. German farming association...

08 Oct 2020

Key US buyers to sample first shipment of UK beef

The first shipment of UK beef to the US in more than 20 years will be sampled by key buyers as part of an event aiming to boost British beef in America. High-profile US chefs, butchers and members of the press will be targeted at the event, which will take place on Tuesday 13 ...

08 Oct 2020

Coronavirus outbreak at Scunthorpe meat processing factory

An outbreak of Covid-19 has occurred at a meat processing factory. A number of workers at the Karro Food plant in Scunthorpe are self-isolating after testing positive, and a mobile testing unit has been brought in. The firm said it was working closely with North Lincolnshire C...

08 Oct 2020

Sark unveils new abattoir

Sark has moved to “safeguard” its traditional farming industry with the creation of a new abattoir to meet modern standards and allow the small island to export its meat. The abattoir, designed and project managed by John Robinson, was officially opened by Lt-Gover...

08 Oct 2020

Chinese wholesale pork prices fall despite decision to ban German imports

06 Oct 2020

Asda commits to sourcing 100% British beef as part of takeover

Asda has pledged to move to 100% British sourced beef as it announced a takeover by a pair of Blackburn based brothers. A consortium of Zuber and Mohsin Issa and private equity firm TDR Capital will take a majority stake in Asda from the US based Walmart. The brothers are the ...

06 Oct 2020

UK lamb prices ‘remain firm’ compared to 2019

Firm farmgate prices are positioning UK lamb as a serious competitor in European markets, according to the latest analysis by Quality Meat Scotland. Despite dipping below 200 p/kg lwt in auction markets, prime lamb prices remain firm in comparison to 2019 standing 25% higher t...

06 Oct 2020

UK pig backlog must be cleared ahead of festive period – TVC

The UK backlog of pigs needs to cleared quickly ahead of the looming festive period, according to Thames Valley Cambac. In its weekly update, TVC said the market remained largely unchanged last week, with processors killing as many pigs as possible, which is generally being g...

06 Oct 2020

Retailers told to stock more UK lamb amid vegan expansion

Farmers have challenged Tesco and Asda to boost the availability of British lamb amid plans for the retailers to expand their plant-based food offering. The supermarket giants recently unveiled their intentions to substantially grow their ranges of plant-based foods. Tesco ann...

06 Oct 2020

Additional wild boar control measures announced in Brandenburg as confirmed ASF cases nears 50

Additional measures to control the wild boar population and to find and test dead animals in Brandenburg have been announced as the number of confirmed African swine fever cases in the state approaches 50. Three more cases of ASF were confirmed in wild boar in the region ove...

02 Oct 2020

Beyond Meat partners with supermarket Sainsbury to boost UK presence

(Reuters) – Beyond Meat said on Thursday it has rolled out its plant-based meat burger in 372 Sainsbury stores and 41 Gourmet Burger Kitchen restaurants, in a move to boost its presence in the United Kingdom. Demand for plant-based meat has grown as customers turn incr...

02 Oct 2020

African swine fever thought to have been in Germany since July

African swine fever (ASF) has probably been in Germany since July, the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) has revealed, as a second distinct outbreak has emerged. The FLI officially confirmed two more cases in wild boar in the Spree-Neisse district on Thursday taking the total...

01 Oct 2020

Addition of butchers to shortage occupation list welcomed by industry

Industry organisations have welcomed the inclusion of butchers on the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) recommended shortage occupation list (SOL). The MAC provides advice to the Government on migration policy, ahead of the introduction of a points-based immigration syst...

01 Oct 2020

Pandemic boosting demand for plant-based foods, Nestle says

KONOLFINGEN, Switzerland (Reuters) – Demand for plant-based foods has picked up during the coronavirus crisis as consumers try to eat more healthily and problems at some factories have hit meat supplies, the head of Swiss food giant Nestle said on Monday. The world’s ...

01 Oct 2020

China temporarily suspends beef imports from Minerva Brazil plant

SAO PAULO/BRASILIA, Sept 30 (Reuters) – China on Wednesday said it would temporarily suspend imports from a beef plant owned by Brazilian meatpacker Minerva SA for a week, in the latest suspension amid concerns over coronavirus contamination in Brazilian meat plants. The...

01 Oct 2020

China’s pig herd rebounds after swine fever, but pork supply will take time to recover

BEIJING, Oct 1 (Reuters) – China’s huge pig herd is rebounding rapidly after being decimated by disease but pork output will take much longer to restore given the low quality of the new herd, say experts and analysts. China’s pork output fell to its lowest level in 1...

01 Oct 2020

Middle East ‘key target market’ for UK meat exports

UK red meat exporters have been told to look more at the Middle East market as the region imports around 90% of all beef and lamb consumed locally. The significance of the Middle East to exporters is rising as figures show shipments of lamb to the region increased 319% between...

01 Oct 2020

Covid: 170 test positive at Cornwall meat plant

Testing has uncovered 170 cases of Covid-19 among workers at a pork meat processing plant in Cornwall. Five hundred staff at Pilgrim’s Pride in Pool, near Camborne, were tested in a contact tracing exercise by the NHS. Most of those who tested positive were unaware they ...

30 Sep 2020

Dire warning over African swine fever

Pig farmers have been told to “batten down the hatches, close the gates and get ready for the storm” that is African swine fever (ASF). With the disease recently discovered in wild boar in Germany, the warning has come from farmers’ union’s pig committee chairman Jamie...

30 Sep 2020

BMPA warns lack of vets will mean lorries ‘won’t even make it out of factory’

The British Meat Processors Association has once again raised concerns over the increased number of vet inspections that will be required after the UK has officially left the EU. After 31 December, every single consignment of meat or meat-based products, from steaks and sa...

30 Sep 2020

Germany finds two more swine fever cases, one in new area

HAMBURG (Reuters) – Two more cases of African swine fever (ASF) have been confirmed in wild boars in the eastern German state of Brandenburg, with one found outside the area of the first discoveries, the federal agriculture ministry said on Wednesday. One new discovery w...

30 Sep 2020

UK beef exports to US resume after more than 20 years

British beef is back on US menus for the first time in more than 20 years as exports restart on Wednesday. The beef was banned after the BSE outbreak in 1996 when cattle were infected by what became commonly known as Mad Cow Disease. Some UK beef was cleared for export in Marc...

28 Sep 2020

Pork rib prices soar in China following the ban on German pig meat imports

The cost of China’s much-loved pork rib dishes is soaring after Beijing suspended imports of pig meat from major supplier Germany, hurting restaurants still recovering from the coronavirus hit earlier this year. Pork ribs are one of China’s best-selling menu items ...

28 Sep 2020

Sheep farmers raise concern over UK-Australia trade deal

British sheep farming must not become the ‘sacrificial lamb’ in future trade deals with Australia and New Zealand, the National Sheep Association has warned. This was the message delivered by the National Sheep Association (NSA) to the International Trade Select co...

28 Sep 2020

Number of African swine fever cases in Germany rises as intensive search continues

As the intensive search for dead wild boar continues in the Brandenburg region of Germany, the official number of confirmed African swine fever (ASF) cases has risen to 35. The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) said the virus was confirmed by the National Refe...

25 Sep 2020

Millers of Speyside abattoir reopens after Covid-19 outbreak

A Highlands slaughterhouse that closed due to a major outbreak of coronavirus has reopened. Millers of Speyside abattoir closed with immediate effect at the beginning of September when a substantial cluster of Covid-19 cases was detected. The operators of Millers of Speysid...

25 Sep 2020

Lamb prices remain strong

In the week ending 23 September, the GB Liveweight NSL SQQ averaged 208.04p/kg, dropping only 0.74p on the week. Prices continue to remain strong on the year, 45p higher than the same week last year. GB auction market throughputs increased on the week (+4%), totalling 130,000 ...

25 Sep 2020

Wholesaler says relabelling of Uruguayan beef ‘human error’

Food wholesaler Bookers has come under pressure from British beef producers after the company admitted relabelling meat from Uruguay. National Beef Association interim chief executive Neil Shand has called for an urgent explanation of the Tesco-owned wholesaler’s procedures ...

25 Sep 2020

Police raid abattoirs across Germany accused of smuggling in workers

More than 800 German police officers were involved in a series of simultaneous raids on Wednesday morning, targeting more than 40 slaughterhouses accused of smuggling in migrant workers illegally. Mass coronavirus outbreaks at a number of slaughterhouses in Germany have recent...

25 Sep 2020

Cultured beef firm Mosa Meat secures $55m in funding

Dutch food-tech firm Mosa Meat has secured an investment of $55 million as part of a larger Series B funding round. Mosa Meat, which introduced what it says was the world’s first cultured beef hamburger in 2013, plans to use the funds to extend its pilot production facilit...

22 Sep 2020

Low priced German pork undercutting suppliers in Europe following ASF bans

Low priced pork from Germany is undercutting other suppliers within Europe, following the export bans put in pace as a result of the country’s first African swine fever case. A number of countries, including China, Singapore, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea, Japan ...

20 Sep 2020

‘Historic moment’: UK beef heads to US for first time in 20 years

The first shipments of British beef is being prepared for the US for the first time in more than 20 years, representing a ‘historic moment’ for UK farmers. Shipments of beef will be heading to the United States for the first time in two decades after three processi...

20 Sep 2020

US market opens up for beef from Northern Ireland

Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland (LMC) chief executive Ian Stevenson believes the news that two local red meat processors have been certified to export beef to the United States will have very positive implications for the local livestock sector as a whole. H...

13 Sep 2020

China bans German pork imports over African swine fever case

China has joined South Korea in stopping the import of German pork after a case of African swine fever was uncovered in a wild boar. Local producers have lost their biggest export market outside the EU. German farmers on Saturday warned they will be hit hard by a Chinese ban...

13 Sep 2020

UK pork export tariffs to be cut under new UK-Japan trade deal

Tariffs on pork exports will be reduced under a new Free Trade Agreement announced with Japan today. The UK’s first major trade deal as an independent trading nation will increase trade with Japan by an estimated £15.2 billion, the Government said. The UK-Japan Comprehen...

11 Sep 2020

ASF in Germany- what happens now?

Earlier today, Germany announced its first confirmed case of African Swine Fever, found in a wild boar near the Polish border. It remains to be seen whether China will follow its usual approach,and place a total ban on all German pork imports. Germany has previously been hopef...

11 Sep 2020

Vietnam culls over 40,000 pigs to tackle ASF spread

Vietnam has culled 43,150 pigs, equivalent to about 2,157 tons, since early this year to curb the spread of African swine fever, according to a report from Vietnam News Agency which cited the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The story reported that in the last...

11 Sep 2020

Swine fever found in Germany putting pork exports at risk

BERLIN/HAMBURG (Reuters) – Germany confirmed on Thursday that African swine fever (ASF) had been found in a dead wild boar near its border with Poland, threatening pork exports to China from Europe’s biggest pork producer, which were worth $1.2 billion (921.23 million ...

11 Sep 2020

Germany takes action to prevent further ASF spread

The German authorities have introduced a number of measures to try and prevent any further spread of African Swine Fever, after confirmation of the first case on its soil today. There are reportedly 18 pig farms within a 15km radius of the outbreak and the authorities are see...

11 Sep 2020

China becoming battleground for plant-based meat makers

HONG KONG (AP) — China has become a battleground for plant-based meat companies looking to tap into the world’s largest market for meat-consumption. American plant-based meat company Impossible Foods Inc. said Thursday it is awaiting regulatory approval to enter the China ...

11 Sep 2020

Germany says has suspected case of African swine fever

BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture said on Wednesday it had a suspected case of African swine fever (ASF) in a wild boar in the eastern state of Brandenburg. The suspected case concerned a wild boar carcass found near the German-Polish border...

10 Sep 2020

Poor Brexit planning puts £1.2bn of annual meat exports at risk

The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) has issued a plea to Government to address key Brexit issues which could see £1.2 billion of annual meat exports at risk along with thousands of jobs. The group warned EU exit contingency plans were proceeding at a ‘snail’s p...

09 Sep 2020

CCTV in abattoirs call by Welsh Conservatives

CCTV cameras must be made compulsory in all slaughterhouses in Wales, mirroring the position in England and Scotland, the Welsh Conservatives suggest. In Wales there is funding through the Food Business Investment Scheme for the installation of cameras in abattoirs but it is a...

09 Sep 2020

UK red meat to be showcased at two Chinese events

Exporters will be flying the flag for UK pork and beef at two major events in China this month – marking the first international showcasing since the pandemic. On Thursday, the 18th China International Meat Industry Exhibition 2020 (CIMIE 2020) will take place at the Qingdao...

09 Sep 2020

Prime beef prices ‘at highest level in years’

Prime beef prices have bounced back and farmers are receiving some of the highest prices witnessed in many years, claims Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). The levy body said prices had recovered from a Covid-19-driven market crash – the all-steer average deadweight price was 335....

08 Sep 2020

One person taken to hospital and six arrested after animal rights protesters climb roof of meat factory

Demonstrators have been staging a protest at the Pilgrim’s Pride Ltd’s slaughterhouse in Ashton-under-Lyne. One person has been taken to hospital and six have been arrested at an animal rights protest outside a meat factory in Ashton-under-Lyne. Demonstrators climbe...

07 Sep 2020

Lamb exports to Switzerland increase by 200 per cent

Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) has shared HMRC figures that show that in the first six months of 2020, UK lamb exports to Switzerland have increased over 200% compared to last year, making it the seventh largest export market. With lamb from Wales accounting for nearly a third of ...

07 Sep 2020

Marel to acquire Treif

Marel is pleased to announce an agreement to acquire German food cutting technology provider TREIF Maschinenbau GmbH (“TREIF”). The two companies have a great strategic and cultural fit with complementary product portfolios and geographic presence, creating a strong platfo...

03 Sep 2020

NZ – Significant Leap In Red Meat Exports To Australia, United States, The UK And Korea

Australia, the US, the UK and Korea were the bright lights for New Zealand’s red meat exports in July, according to an analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA). Overall exports to Australia leapt by 58 per cent compared to the same period last year with New Zealand be...

03 Sep 2020

Most Irish meat plant inspections in August unannounced

All but one of the coronavirus-related health and safety inspections carried out at meat plants during the month of August were unannounced, breaking with a practice of prearranging most visits. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) said there were 26 meat plant inspections ca...

03 Sep 2020

Millers of Speyside Meats suspends factory processing due to local Covid-19 outbreak

Millers of Speyside will temporally close its production site for the next 14 days due to an outbreak of Covid-19 in the local area. Seven cases have been reported in the region and the Food Standards Agency (FSS) and Public Health have stated they would allow the facility to ...

03 Sep 2020

Food safety in Malta’s abattoir hampered by lack of Maltese-speaking staff

Several animal carcasses with faecal contamination were accepted for cutting in a slaughterhouse in which veterinary officials failed to “correct the deficiency”, an audit by the European Commission’s Food Veterinary Directorate on the meat industry revealed. Members of ...

02 Sep 2020

71 jobs set to be lost at meat and poultry manufacturer in Wrexham

More than 70 jobs at a meat and poultry manufacturer in Wrexham are set to be in lost in what a union has today described “as another blow to North Wales economy.” Tyson Foods Wrexham Limited, located on the Llay Industrial Estate, is to close at the end of September accor...

02 Sep 2020

Argentina delays China pork export deal amid environmental protests

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentina has delayed until November the signing of a memorandum of understanding with China aimed at increasing investment in Argentine hog output, a government source said on Tuesday, citing environmental protests over the planned export deal. ...

02 Sep 2020

Coronavirus pandemic could aid small abattoirs

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about a change in the dynamic of the food supply chain which may offer a lifeline to smaller abattoirs. The challenges of running an abattoir and keeping it profitable have been well documented in recent months. Andrew Clarke is the managing d...

02 Sep 2020

Love Lamb Week returns for sixth year

RETURNING for its sixth year, Love Lamb Week will celebrate all that is good about UK produced Lamb next month, with industry support greater than ever. Since its launch in 2015, the National Sheep Association (NSA) has worked alongside others to highlight the week-long campai...

01 Sep 2020

China accepts Argentinean “covid free” guarantee

5 Argentinean processors, that had voluntarily suspended their exports to China, are back in business and trading with China. The 5 slaughterhouses had cases of covid-19 among employees recently, but are now free of the disease. The additional guarantee was recognised official...

01 Sep 2020

Covid-19: Tönnies slaughterhouse can ship again to China

Germany’s largest slaughterhouse in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, owned by Tönnies, has received the thumbs-up to resume exports of pig meat to China. Trade had been suspended due to Covid-19 restrictions. The Tönnies slaughterhouse received permission to do so on August 17. About...

01 Sep 2020

Welsh Tories call for mandatory abattoir CCTV, branding voluntary approach a ‘failure’

The Welsh Conservatives have called for CCTV to become mandatory in abattoirs, branding the Government’s voluntary approach to date a ‘failure’. Janet Finch-Saunders, the party’s Shadow Rural Affairs Minister, demanded the change be made after a Freedom of Information ...

28 Aug 2020

Hoping for trade deal, Taiwan to ease standards for U.S. pork, beef

Taipei, Aug. 28 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen announced Friday that Taiwan will set standards for a controversial feed additive in imported pork and ease restrictions on American beef in an apparent attempt to pave the way to broker a trade deal with the United States. Tsai sai...

28 Aug 2020

Australian beef hit with another China trade strike

Australia’s oldest family-owned meat processor has been hit with a new trade suspension by China, days after the Morrison government rejected a $600 million Chinese bid for Lion Dairy and Drinks. China’s customs department suspended exports from John Dee on Wedne...

27 Aug 2020

China to probe labs, farms in crackdown on illegal African swine fever vaccines

(Reuters) – China has begun a strict crackdown on the production and use of illegal African swine fever vaccines, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Tuesday, after anecdotal evidence of the widespread use of such products. China is trying to rebuild it...

27 Aug 2020

Brazil asks China for proof chicken wings had coronavirus

SAO PAULO, Aug 26 (Reuters) – Brazil has asked Chinese authorities to provide results of laboratory tests that detected traces of the novel coronavirus on chicken wings exported by the South American country, according to a statement sent to Reuters by Brazil’s Agricul...

27 Aug 2020

Tulip to change it’s name to Pilgrim’s Pride

Tulip Ltd, the UK’s biggest producer and processor of pigs, is to change its name to Pilgrim’s Pride Ltd from Monday, August 31. Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, a US-based pig and poultry supplier, which, in turn, is owned by Brazilian meat giant JBS, acquired Tulip in Octo...

27 Aug 2020

China invests in huge Argentinean pork project

China is about to embark on a multi-billion dollar project to almost double Argentina’s pork production over the next 4 years. That was shared recently by Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship. The Latin American country is about to rec...

27 Aug 2020

ASF Poland: Number of farm cases in 2020 rises to 71

Although the summer is not over yet, in Poland African Swine Fever has already infected more farms in 2020 than it did in the whole of 2019. Currently, the count is at 71 infected farms, the majority of them being backyard farms. That can be concluded on the basis of the most ...

26 Aug 2020

China July pork imports hit record 430,000 tonnes

Aug 24 (Reuters) – China’s July pork imports more than doubled to 430,000 tonnes from a year earlier and hit a record monthly volume, customs data showed, despite tough new checks on cargoes that had slowed clearing at ports. Chinese importers have been bringing in hug...

26 Aug 2020

Why is China suspending imports from some meat processors?

(Reuters) – Top meat importer China has suspended imports from some foreign meat packing plants where workers became infected with coronavirus – but not others. WHY IS CHINA SO WARY OF FROZEN FOOD IMPORTS? China is the world’s top meat importer, bringing in huge ...

25 Aug 2020

Cranswick pays staff £500 bonus after healthy financial results

UK pork processor Cranswick has seen a significant uplift in sales due to a boost in home consumption during the Covid-19 lockdown period. The firm, one of the UK’s largest food producers, said trading in the first quarter of the financial year had been ‘strongR...

25 Aug 2020

UK red meat exports increase despite Covid-19

UK red meat exports have enjoyed a good start to the year with shipments already worth £733m in the first six months – up nearly 3% on the same period last year. The strong results come during one of the most challenging years on record for red meat exports due to the ongoi...

25 Aug 2020

Welsh-produced lamb ‘a family affair that must be protected’

Farmers have said Welsh-produced lamb is a ‘family affair that must be protected’ ahead of the annual Love Lamb Week taking place next month. The industry-wide initiative will focus on emphasising the nutritional benefits of UK-produced lamb and its role in sustain...

21 Aug 2020

Demand from China continues to boost EU pork exports

EU fresh/frozen pork exports were up on the year again in June, according to the latest report from AHDB analyst Duncan Wyatt, which shows volumes were 43% higher than in June 2019 at 250,000 tonnes. The continued strength in the EU’s export performance is underpinned by ...

19 Aug 2020

China: Pork prices up 85.7% in July year on year

Average pork prices in China rose from 45.98 yuan (around $6.61) per kg on May 27 to 55.5 yuan per kg on July 29, according to the fixed-point monitoring of markets in 500 counties nationwide by the Bureau of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agricul...

19 Aug 2020

Meat producer Cranswick emerges as a lockdown winner as families eat more pork and chicken

Shares in Cranswick rose yesterday after the meat producer revealed the lockdown had bulked up its sales. The company, which owns farms and supplies pork and chicken to UK grocers, is emerging as one of the business winners from the coronavirus pandemic. It said sales were tur...

19 Aug 2020

Philippines bans poultry products from Australia over bird flu outbreak

MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines said on Wednesday it has temporarily banned the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products from Australia after the presence of the highly pathogenic H7N7 avian flu virus was detected at an egg farm. Australia, which acco...

19 Aug 2020

Chinese City to Halt Frozen Seafood, Meat Imports on Virus Worry

The Cold Chain Association of China’s southern coastal city of Guangzhou ordered all member companies to suspend imports of frozen meat and seafood from coronavirus-hit areas, the city’s Internet Information Office said on its official Weibo account, without specifying a...

19 Aug 2020

Scottish poultry facility closed with “immediate effect” due to COVID cluster

2 Sisters said the temporary move was “the responsible action to take” in order to prevent further transmission. A food processing plant in Perth and Kinross, Scotland has been closed with “immediate effect” after four members of staff tested positive for COVID-19. Two...

19 Aug 2020

China’s chicken market easily saturated

The rise and fall of Chinese poultry prices over the past year reveals that chicken is still a second-class meat in the Middle Kingdom. Chinese poultry meat prices surged about 35 percent from April to November 2019, according to wholesale price data issued weekly by ChinaR...

19 Aug 2020

Premier Meat Exhibition cancelled due to coronavirus

This year’s Premier Meat Exhibition has been cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. The event’s organisers, the Scottish National Fat Stock Club (SNFSC), said allowing the competition to go ahead would add “unnecessary risks” to everyone involved. The event had been d...

19 Aug 2020

‘Factories need farmers more than farmers need factories at present’

Ireland: Those in the sheep sector must surely have felt a cold chill in the veins at Meat Industry Ireland’s (MII) warning that livestock prices could be impacted if results for Covid tests from factories were delayed. The comments were taken to be largely directed at t...

17 Aug 2020

Research suggests red meat shelf-life can be safely extended

A joint scientific study between the British Meat Processors Association and Meat and Livestock Australia has proven that the current recommended 10 shelf life for chilled red meat can be safely extended well beyond the current FSA guidance. The Guardian reported that a...

17 Aug 2020

Sluggish pork trade as poor demand and plant maintenance takes its toll

Trade continued to drag its feet last week, with little impetus from any of the majors, according to Thames Valley Cambac. “The majority of the major processors are on reduced kills due to a combination of poor demand, staff holidays, and major maintenance/infrastructure pro...

17 Aug 2020

Argentina suspends exports from eight meat plants to China after COVID-19 found

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentina has suspended exports to China from eight meatpacking plants after cases of the novel coronavirus were found among their employees, Argentina’s food quality and safety body, Senasa, said. China, the main destination for the South Amer...

17 Aug 2020

Meat factories warned against using Covid crisis to cut prices

The meat factories have been warned against using the continuing Covid-19 crisis as cover to slash beef prices. Suggestions by Meat Industry Ireland (MII) that delays in the Covid-19 testing process could impact operations at meat plants and thereby hit cattle and sheep prices...

17 Aug 2020

Cattle Slaughter in Beef Exporter Uruguay to Hit 17-Year Low

(Bloomberg) — Cattle slaughter in Uruguay, a key producer that’s become known for its traceable grass-fed, hormone-free beef, could fall to the lowest in 17 years amid a shrinking herd and a drop in exports. That’s according to Eduardo Urgal, director at Ontilcor SA, the...

17 Aug 2020

Impossible Foods raises $200 million in fresh funding

(Reuters) – Plant-based burger maker Impossible Foods said on Thursday it secured $200 million in funding, less than six months after it raised the largest investment ever for a food tech startup, bringing total funds raised since its founding in 2011 to $1.5 billion. Th...

17 Aug 2020

Brazil’s JBS, world’s top meat-packer, posts better-than-expected results

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Brazil’s JBS SA on Thursday posted second-quarter net profits nearly twice as high as the average of analysts’ estimates, buoyed by a strong performance in its beef and pork divisions in the United States and at home. Results from the world’s ...

17 Aug 2020

Cranswick first quarter revenue leaps 25% as lockdowns whet appetite for meat

(Reuters) – Meat processor Cranswick Plc said on Monday it expects retail demand to normalise for the rest of the year as more people start dining out, after eating in during lockdowns helped its revenue surge 25% in the first quarter. The company, which owns farms and ...

17 Aug 2020

Philippines bans chicken imports from Brazil on coronavirus scare

MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines imposed a temporary ban on poultry meat imports from Brazil on Friday after two cities in China found traces of the new coronavirus in cargoes of imported frozen food, including chicken wings from the South American country. Shenzhen ci...

17 Aug 2020

Chinese cities find coronavirus in frozen food imports, WHO downplays infection risk

BEIJING/SHANGHAI/BRASILIA (Reuters) – Two cities in China have found traces of the new coronavirus in cargoes of imported frozen food, local authorities said on Thursday, although the World Health Organization downplayed the risk of the virus entering the food chain. A s...

17 Aug 2020

Turkey Twizzlers set for healthier comeback

Jamie Oliver beware: the Turkey Twizzler is back, in what its makers claim is a new, healthier version. The celebrity chef was instrumental in the Twizzlers’ demise when he called them bad for children’s health during a TV campaign for better school dinners. After ...

17 Aug 2020

Covid-19 decimates UK venison market

Covid-19 has seen the UK venison market decimated, with markets unlikely to recover to previous levels until 2023, the Scottish Venison Association (SVA) has warned. Despite earlier reports that British venison retails sales were up by 11 per cent in 2019, worth £14.4 million...

17 Aug 2020

Irish government wants grass-fed beef to get protected EU status

THE IRISH GOVERNMENT has begun a process to give Irish grass-fed beef and Achill Island Sea Salt a protected status from the European Commission. The Department of Agriculture has today launched the first part of an application process for Irish Grass Fed Beef to become a Prot...

11 Aug 2020

Merthyr Tydfil food plant coronavirus incident declared over

The coronavirus incident at the Kepak meat processing plant in Merthyr Tydfil has been formally declared over. It was announced seven weeks ago that hundreds of staff at the site in the town’s Dowlais Top area, just a couple of miles from the border with Blaenau Gwent, ...

09 Aug 2020

Kildare meat plant suspends work for two weeks after surge in Covid-19 cases

A meat processing plant in Co Kildare is to remain closed for two weeks. O’Brien’s Fine Foods at Timahoe halted production last week after dozens of workers tested positive for coronavirus. It was announced on Friday night that Kildare, along with counties Laois and Offaly...

09 Aug 2020

GB pig prices for week ending August 1, 2020 – prices slip again

AHDB Pork’s weekly pig prices, slaughter data and commentary for Great Britain In the week ending August 1, the GB EU-spec SPP fell again, by half a penny on the week to average 164.68p/kg. The price is still 11.88p above last year’s price for the same week. Estimated slau...

09 Aug 2020

Tulip reopens Bromborough site with recruitment drive and £15m investment

Tulip has announced plans to reopen its Bromborough site from August and has launched a major recruitment drive, creating over 120 job roles in the local area. Production begins in August and is supported with a £15m investment, introducing state-of-the-art food manufacturin...

09 Aug 2020

Production at Brady’s Ham plant shuts down as almost a third test positive for Covid-19

Almost a third of staff working for Brady’s Ham plant in Timahoe, Co Kildare, after an outbreak of Covid-19 infected at least 80 employees, with tests being carried out on dozens more workers, according to a report in the Irish Times. Production has been shut down at the f...

09 Aug 2020

Beyond Meat racks up high COVID-19 operational costs, shares fall 7%

(Reuters) – Beyond Meat Inc’s quarterly results showed on Tuesday that the plant-based burger maker spent more than expected on dealing with the fallout of weak demand from restaurants, sending shares down about 7% after the bell. El Segundo, California-based Beyond Me...

09 Aug 2020

COVID-19 drives down usage of EU beef quotas

The EU has long been an attractive market for major beef exporters around the world. There are various EU beef import quotas available, offering a reduction in in the tariff payable. However, these are only available for a limited volume and for certain products. The tw...

09 Aug 2020

Hide values drop 60-70 per cent in five years

The poor trade for previously sought cattle and sheep hides is having an impact on farmgate returns, with Quality Meat Scotland estimating that cattle hides have dropped in value by 60 per cent and sheep skins by 70 per cent over five years. As co-products of the processing se...

09 Aug 2020

Japan lifts final restrictions on French beef

[PARIS] France said Friday that Japan has agreed to lift the last remaining restrictions on imports of French beef 20 years after they were imposed due to concern over BSE commonly called mad cow disease. From 1996, Japan banned beef imports from Britain over an outbreak of BS...

09 Aug 2020

Coronavirus: Irish beef producers to get €10,000 aid payments

Irish beef producers could receive payouts of up to €10,000 (£9,000) each under a government-led scheme to reduce the impact of Covid-19 on farm incomes. The €50m (£45m) Beef Finishers Payment (BFP) was announced on 5 August by Ireland’s agriculture minister Dara Calle...

09 Aug 2020

Lamb prices buck seasonal averages

This summer has been extraordinary for producers selling early-finishing new season lambs, with prices holding up at a time when they would traditionally slide as volumes build, according to Quality Meat Scotland. Having averaged 5-10% higher than last year through May and Jun...

09 Aug 2020

Danish abattoir closed over COVID-19 cluster

Meat giant Danish Crown has closed a large slaughterhouse in Denmark after nearly 150 employees tested positive for coronavirus. The abattoir in Ringsted, about 50km from the capital Copenhagen, employs nearly 900 people and slaughters tens of thousands of pigs every week. Da...

06 Aug 2020

Abu Dhabi abattoirs slaughter record 33,075 sacrificial animals

Officials said veterinarians were present in the slaughterhouses round-the-clock to monitor the sacrifices before and after the slaughter. More than 33,075 sacrificial animals were slaughtered at Abu Dhabi public abattoirs during Eid Al Adha holiday, according to authorities. ...

06 Aug 2020

Belgian meat plant quarantines 225 staff

One of Belgium’s biggest meat processing plants has sent 225 staff home to quarantine Wednesday after a cluster of coronavirus cases was discovered, the firm and the local mayor said. Abbatoirs and meat-packing plants have become infection hotspots in other countries...

06 Aug 2020

USA Lamb Processing Plant Bankruptcy Caused By Pandemic

The closure of a lamb processing plant in Greeley, Colorado that serves sheep producers in 15 states including South Dakota is expected to impact one fifth of the nation’s lamb industry. American Sheep Industry Association Executive Director Peter Orwick says the closing of ...

06 Aug 2020

Bromborough meat factory to reopen creating 120 jobs

A meat processing factory is to reopen this month, creating 120 jobs. Tulip Ltd closed its Bromborough site in Wirral, Merseyside, in 2019 but said it would now create the vacancies thanks to a £15m investment in “manufacturing technology and equipment”. Tulip is the UK�...

03 Aug 2020

Farmer urges others to inspire consumers with Scotch Lamb PGI

Farmers play an ‘important role’ in encouraging consumers to view Scotch Lamb PGI as a shopping essential and to help promote it as a versatile ingredient. This is according to Fife sheep farmer George Milne, who is a passionate advocate of farm visits and the need...

03 Aug 2020

Japan deal helps put Scotch beef back on world menu

Food processing firm AK Stoddart’s has secured a lucrative contract for its beef from Japan as further proof that Scottish quality meat is back on menus around the world. The deal, worth an estimated £1 million, will help the Ayrshire and West Lothian-based company reach it...

30 Jul 2020

China orders regular coronavirus tests at wholesale markets

BEIJING (Reuters) – China asked local authorities to carry out regular coronavirus tests at wholesale markets, the country’s health authority said on Thursday, part of an all-out effort to control the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic. China’s National Health Commissio...

30 Jul 2020

China needs ‘explosive’ buying to meet U.S. farm import target

BEIJING/CHICAGO (Reuters) – With nearly seven months gone, an ambitious $36.5 billion target for Chinese imports of U.S. farm goods this year may not be quite out of reach, but it’s looking like a big, big stretch. By end-May, imports were running behind 2017 levels &#...

30 Jul 2020

Argentina nears China hog deal it hopes could turbocharge local pork production

BUENOS AIRES/BEIJING (Reuters) – Argentina is nearing an initial agreement with China that could pave for the way for potential investments by the Asian giant in local pork production for export, Argentina’s undersecretary of trade and investment promotion told Reuters...

30 Jul 2020

Germany aims to protect abattoir workers after mass COVID outbreaks

Newly proposed rules to ban slaughterhouses from using contracted or temporary workers. Germany’s slaughterhouses will have to offer contracts to all workers involved in slaughtering, cutting and processing under a new draft law approved by Cabinet ministers Wednesday. Union...

30 Jul 2020

Dawn Meats takes control of UK joint venture with Dunbia

Ireland-based Dawn Meats has taken full control of its UK joint venture with NI meat processor Dunbia, that was jointly established in 2017. Dawn Meats, based in Waterford, has taken control of County Tyrone-based Dunbia’s 12 meat plants across the UK. It follows the ret...

28 Jul 2020

Scotch Beef campaign adverts hailed a success by QMS

A campaign to boost sales of Scotch Beef during lockdown has been hailed a success by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). The levy body said although sales figures for the period were not yet available, the Make It Scotch Beef campaign had delivered strong results by reaching million...

28 Jul 2020

Hong Kong decision puts NZ beef exports at risk

The NZ Government decision to end the extradition treaty with Hong Kong places at risk the possibility of New Zealand increasing its beef sales to China. And Foreign Minister Winston Peters implied yesterday that New Zealand may yet impose further sanctions on China as a conse...

27 Jul 2020

Revenue from red meat ‘co-products’ influencing farmgate prices

Red meat co-products such as offals, skins and hides can create revenue for the processing sector, but significant disruptions are on the horizon, according to Quality Meat Scotland. These co-products include both edible and inedible offals, skins and hides and some products c...

27 Jul 2020

No new coronavirus cases reported at Llangefni 2 Sisters poultry plant

NO new cases of coronavirus have been reported at a Llangefni poultry plant, a health chief has announced. Dr Chris Williams, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, made the announcement on Saturday afternoon. He said: ...

27 Jul 2020

Tesco to show country of origin on bacon after labelling criticism

Tesco has asked its suppliers to denote country of origin on the front of packaging of its Woodside Farms bacon, after being accused of a lack of transparency in its labelling policy. The retailer’s unsmoked back bacon sold under the ‘fake farm’ Woodside brand does not c...

27 Jul 2020

China June pork imports jump 128.4% on year: customs

BEIJING (Reuters) – China imported 400,000 tonnes of pork in June, customs data showed on Thursday, up 128.4% from the same month a year earlier, as a months-long buying spree continued as importers try to help plug a domestic shortage. China’s pork output declined by ...

27 Jul 2020

‘Spread out? Where?’ Smithfield says not all plant workers can be socially distanced

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Smithfield Foods, the world’s biggest pork processor, said workers cannot be socially distant in all areas of its plants, in response to U.S. senators who pressed meatpackers on coronavirus outbreaks in slaughterhouses. Meatpackers are under mountin...

27 Jul 2020

Processing woes continue – TVC

Processing woes continued last week, with continuing reliability issues blighting some of the majors, according to Thames Valley Cambac. “The narrative from most of the majors was poor retail demand, limited export opportunities, and staff absenteeism. This translated to a s...

25 Jul 2020

Prime cattle prices slip slightly

During the week ending 18 July the GB all prime average slipped a penny, to £3.60/kg. Despite falling in the most recent week, the measure remains 34p up on the year and 11p higher than the five-year average. The declines were almost universal across the different cate...

25 Jul 2020

Beef trade drops due to pressure from COVID-19

Exports UK fresh and frozen beef exports fell 1,100 tonnes year-on-year during May, to 8,900 tonnes, according to the latest HMRC data. Small declines were recorded in shipments to most markets. During May much of Europe was still under strict COVID-19 control measures, which ...

23 Jul 2020

China’s NHC issues coronavirus control guidelines on meat processing firms

BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s National Health Commission on Thursday issued coronavirus control guidelines for meat processing companies, including demanding imported livestock and poultry products must be virus-free before processing in Chinese plants. The guidelines co...

23 Jul 2020

Brazilian pork exports up by almost 40%

Brazilian fresh/frozen pork exports were nearly 40% higher in the firt half of 2020 comparted to the same period last year, according to AHDB analyst Bethan Wilkins. Of the 421,000 tonnes exported, the majority of the increase came from a significant 144% rise in shipments...

23 Jul 2020

China to buy more US pork to fulfill phase one trade deal

US frozen pork inventories dropped in June, as exports to China surged. An analyst said that China is implementing the phase one trade deal, buying $32 billion worth of US agricultural products over two years despite a global shrinkage of trade caused by COVID-19. US frozen po...

22 Jul 2020

UK Agricultural Bill opens way to small abattoir support

THE UK Government has committed to future financial support for abattoirs, which campaigners hope will stem the decline in local slaughter provision. Last week, the UK Agricultural Bill made its way into the House of Lords where it was confirmed that abattoirs and slaughtering...

22 Jul 2020

Burger King wins dismissal of vegans’ lawsuit over Impossible Whopper

(Reuters) – A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit accusing Burger King of deceiving vegan, vegetarian and other customers into thinking it cooked the plant-based patties for its “Impossible Whopper” on different grills than those used to cook beef and chicken. In a...

22 Jul 2020

German abattoir ramping up output after virus outbreak

HAMBURG, July 21 (Reuters) – The German abattoir hit by a coronavirus outbreak is increasing output but still working below capacity, it said on Tuesday. The Toennies plant in Rheda-Wiedenbrueck reopened its slaughterhouse and meat packing operations on Thursday and Frid...

21 Jul 2020

German chemical giant BASF to invest in pig farming in China

German chemical giant BASF announced Monday it will invest in Chinese start-up SmartAHC, a supplier of digitalization solutions for hog farming. It is BASF’s first investment in an agricultural start-up in China. According to BASF, the Shanghai-based startup SmartAHC pro...

21 Jul 2020

‘A victory for common sense’ – Small abattoirs to benefit from public funding

Farm groups have welcomed the news that small abattoirs are to benefit from public funding under the terms of the Agriculture Bill. As the legislation passed through the House of Lords, Ministers confirmed slaughtering would be recognised as one of the ‘ancillary services’...

21 Jul 2020

KFC creating 3D-printed ‘meat of the future’

KFC is taking the next step in its innovative concept of creating a “restaurant of the future” by launching the development of innovative 3D bioprinting technology to create chicken meat in cooperation with the 3D Bioprinting Solutions research laboratory. The idea...

21 Jul 2020

Australian Lamb Company closes as COVID-19 cases confirmed

VICTORIAN sheep meat processor, the Australian Lamb Company, has been forced to close for at least two weeks as COVID-19 testing confirms eight coronavirus cases among employees. And Warrnambool-based meat processor Midfield Meat International has also closed its processing pl...

21 Jul 2020

Pork Prices in China heading upwards as supplies tighten

Pork prices are rising in China just as new Covid-19 measures threaten to disrupt the flow of imports from some key suppliers. Wholesale prices have risen for six consecutive weeks and now stand at their highest levels since early April. Figures from the Commerce Ministry show...

21 Jul 2020

Rare air: U.S. meatpackers try air cleaning tech after COVID-19 outbreaks

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Two of the world’s largest meatpackers said on Friday they have installed ultraviolet air cleaning equipment in some U.S. plants, as pressure mounts on food companies to protect workers amid growing concerns about airborne transmission of the corona...

21 Jul 2020

France Fines Ham & Cold Meats Producers Over Cartel Activities

The Autorité de la concurrence issued a decision in which it fines a cartel involving 12 companies operating in the ham and cold meats sector. Cold meat manufacturers were coordinating with each other with a view to showing a united front at their negotiations with slaughterh...

21 Jul 2020

German abattoir scandal puts cooling systems under COVID spotlight

BERLIN (Reuters) – A COVID-19 outbreak in Germany is forcing meatpacking plants to review infection risks posed by their cooling systems, placing the industry at the sharp end of growing global concerns over airborne transmission of the coronavirus. Toennies, a slaughter...

21 Jul 2020

Chinese ports hit capacity as virus tests slow clearing: shippers

BEIJING (Reuters) – Testing of imported food for the novel coronavirus is pushing capacity at some major Chinese ports to their limit, major shippers told customers this week, warning of additional fees and possible diversions to other ports. China stepped up inspections...

21 Jul 2020

Germany’s largest meat site closure has ‘knock-on effect’ in UK

Concerns are rising for the UK pig sector following the month-long temporary closure of a major German meat site after it experienced a coronavirus outbreak. Tönnies meat plant factory, in North Rhine-Westphalia, processes 140,000 pigs per week, 15 percent of all pigs slaught...

16 Jul 2020

Argentina suspends exports from eight meat plants to China after COVID-19 found

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentina has suspended exports to China from eight meatpacking plants after cases of the novel coronavirus were found among their employees, Argentina’s food quality and safety body, Senasa, said on Wednesday. China, the main destination for t...

16 Jul 2020

GB pig prices for week ending July 11, 2020 – SPP declines

AHDB Pork’s weekly pig prices, slaughter data and commentary for Great Britain The EU-spec SPP averaged 165.36p/kg in the week ended July. 11, a slight fall of 0.14p compared to the previous week and the first time prices have dropped for six weeks. Compared with the same we...

16 Jul 2020

Part of German abattoir hit by coronavirus can resume slaughtering

HAMBURG (Reuters) – Part of a huge German abattoir and meatpacking complex at the centre of a coronavirus outbreak can reopen, German authorities said on Wednesday. The Toennies slaughterhouse and meat packing complex in Rheda-Wiedenbrueck in western Germany has been clo...

16 Jul 2020

Rabobank: Global poultry outlook to improve in H2 2020

Global poultry sector to recover in next half of year but problems still exist in Europe according to Rabobank analysts. Demand for poultry will be more bullish globally in the second half of the year as the Covid-19 containment measures on the restaurant and hospitality secto...

16 Jul 2020

Driven by China, Brazil’s 2020 pork, chicken exports to grow despite pandemic

by Ana Mano SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Brazilian meat companies are poised to increase production and exports this year as sales to China continue to exceed expectations and the COVID-19 pandemic has failed to deter local food processors, according to ABPA, a lobby group repr...

16 Jul 2020

EU Commission forecasts strong pork export growth in 2020

By Felicity Rusk The EU Commission has recently published the summer edition of its short-term outlook for agricultural markets. This is an outlook for the EU-27 and so excludes the UK. The Commission believes that EU pig meat production will show slight growth in 2020, in ...

15 Jul 2020

Yorkshire poultry firm’s multi-million pound expansion nears completion

A multi-million pound expansion project at an East Yorkshire poultry business is nearing completion. The final phase of a £3.3m investment to increase capacity at Soanes Poultry in Middleton on the Wolds is underway. The work is set to increase capacity by 20 per cent, as wel...

15 Jul 2020

Burger King debuting reduced-methane beef

Formula for cattle diet includes lemongrass supplement, but cattle industry calls study “small and poorly conceived.” In what it says is an effort to address a core industry challenge — the environmental impact of beef — Burger King is debuting a reduced-methan...

15 Jul 2020

UK farmers fear threat of Australian meat imports

Negotiations continue on an Australia-UK free trade agreement, but battle lines are being drawn on the sensitive issue of agriculture. UK primary producers say they want Australian farmers, particularly beef and lamb exporters, to meet the same standards they do, before they s...

14 Jul 2020

German meatpacker under fire for requesting government support after COVID-19 outbreak

BERLIN (Reuters) – The German meat processing company whose plant was at the centre of a COVID-19 outbreak that forced the authorities to reimpose a local lockdown came under fire from politicians on Sunday for requesting government support to cover quarantined workers�...

14 Jul 2020

Germany extends fencing along Polish border to keep out swine fever

HAMBURG (Reuters) – Fencing along the German-Polish border is being extended in stepped-up efforts to prevent African swine fever being spread to Germany by wild boars, German authorities said on Monday. The 62-km (38-mile) fence adds to some 240 km of barriers put up al...

14 Jul 2020

UPDATE 2-China H1 meat imports up 73.5% – customs

BEIJING, July 14 (Reuters) – China imported 4.75 million tonnes of meat including offal in the first six months of the year, customs data showed on Tuesday, up 73.5% on the same period a year ago. Chinese buyers boosted overseas meat purchases after a collapse in domesti...

14 Jul 2020

Family-owned meat processor expands

John Scott Meat has purchased the shareholding of neighbouring company A.P. Jess at Sandyford Abattoir (Paisley) and the assets and goodwill of A.P. Jess Paisley. It means Sandyford Abattoir and Sandyford Hides and Skins in Paisley are now fully owned and controlled by brother...

14 Jul 2020

Lamb prices rising due to ‘substantial demand’

Lamb prices are continuing to rise, driven by substantial demand for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA). Sean Dennehy, the association’s national sheep chairperson, said that, with the Muslim festival set to begin on July ...

13 Jul 2020

House of Lords to debate small abattoir survival

FINANCIAL support for small abattoirs is to be raised in the House of Lords by a new amendment tabled for the UK Agricultural Bill. Amendment number 87, tabled by Lord Trees, Baroness Ann Mallalieu, Baroness Jones of Whitchurch and Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville, s...

13 Jul 2020

Small abattoirs failed by lack of joined-up thinking from Government

Small abattoirs are being failed by a lack of joined-up thinking from different Government bodies, Emily Miles, chief executive of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), has said. Ms Miles, who has been working with small abattoir owners to address the problems they face, said she h...

12 Jul 2020

German abattoir in coronavirus outbreak stops sub-contracting workers

HAMBURG (Reuters) – A German abattoir and meat packing group at the centre of a coronavirus outbreak said on Friday it would hire 1,000 workers and stop using sub-contractors for animal slaughtering and meat processing. The Toennies slaughterhouse and meat packing plant at R...

11 Jul 2020

German pig prices fall after abattoir closes due to coronavirus

HAMBURG (Reuters) – German pig prices have fallen sharply as a huge German abattoir remains closed after a coronavirus outbreak, forcing farmers to sell animals ready to be slaughtered at low prices, an association said on Friday. The Toennies slaughterhouse and meat pac...

09 Jul 2020

The run up to Eid-al-Adha

By Rebecca Wright There is currently some additional demand for lamb due to the Islamic festival of Eid-al-Adha. In 2020 the festival will be held on approximately 30 July, and run until 3 August, although the exact dates are based upon sightings of the moon at the time. Eid-a...

08 Jul 2020

China to Sell More Pork From Reserves to Stem a Rally in Prices

(Bloomberg) — China will sell more frozen pork from state reserves as it seeks to contain rallying prices after the top consumer of the meat halted imports from dozens of overseas producers. The Asian nation will sell 20,000 tons of pork on Friday, according to a stateme...

08 Jul 2020

German abattoir hit by coronavirus still closed pending hygiene plan

HAMBURG (Reuters) – A huge German slaughterhouse and meat packing plant at the centre of a coronavirus outbreak cannot reopen until authorities are satisfied with its hygiene procedures, the chief executive of the Guetersloh district said on Tuesday. Some 600,000 people ...

08 Jul 2020

TV chef John Torode supporting British lamb campaign

Celebrity chef John Torode has thrown his weight behind a new promotional campaign for lamb just as the latest market outlook predicts retail demand for the meat will fall by between 9-19% this year. Lockdown saw retail volumes for lamb decline by 7.5% and now levy body AHDB h...

08 Jul 2020

High UK pork price could be here to stay for the rest of 2020 – AHDB outlook

The high domestic pig prices seen during the first half of 2020 could be sustained for the rest of the year, according to the latest AHDB quarterly Pork Outlook report. This optimistic conclusion is underpinned by tight supply, good retail demand and anticipated further expor...

08 Jul 2020

Mounting beef export concerns over US COVID relapse

THE second-wave COVID-19 crisis unfolding in the United States is creating renewed concerns among manufacturing beef exporters in Australia. As of yesterday, the US recorded just over 60,000 new COVID cases, a record for a 24-hour period, as the second wave of infections unfol...

08 Jul 2020

German court orders end to coronavirus lockdown around meat plant

A German court has ended a local lockdown imposed to tackle a coronavirus outbreak at a slaughterhouse, ruling that the restrictions were disproportionate. The top administrative court in North Rhine-Westphalia state ruled that the lockdown slapped on all of Gütersloh distric...

07 Jul 2020

China trade tension to hit Australian beef and wool exports

Australian beef exports into China are set to face increasing competition, while wool producers are being urged to minimise their reliance on Chinese demand, as trade tensions with Beijing continue to shape Australia’s agriculture industry. The trade warning, which was ext...

07 Jul 2020

New Campaign Urges Consumers to ‘Make It’ with Lamb

The first phase of a GB-wide campaign encouraging consumers to ‘Make it’ with lamb has launched this month. Delivered by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), it includes video ...

07 Jul 2020

European market in turmoil, as COVID-19 continues to disrupt meat plants

A combination of plant closures and a Chinese ban on Dutch pork imports due to COVID-19 has sent European pork markets into turmoil, according to Thames Valley Cambac. Pigs are being backlogged due to the plant closures caused by coronavirus outbreaks among staff in some Euro...

07 Jul 2020

2 Sisters to reopen Anglesey abattoir hit by Covid outbreak – with 30 extra safety measures in place

2 Sisters will today reopen its Anglesey abattoir which was closed for two weeks following a Covid outbreak. The chicken processing plant had its first positive case at the end of May and the virus spread through the workforce – forcing its closure just over a fortnight ...

06 Jul 2020

2 Sisters Food Group Reopens Poultry Processing Facility In Wales

2 Sisters Food Group has announced that it has resumed operations its poultry processing factory in Llangefni. The company suspended operations temporarily in the facility around the middle of June following an outbreak of COVID-19. During this period, it worked closely wi...

06 Jul 2020

China halts imports from two more Brazil meat plants amid COVID-19 concerns

SAO PAULO/BRASILIA (Reuters) – China has suspended imports from two Brazilian pork plants owned by meatpackers JBS SA (JBSS3.SA) and BRF SA (BRFS3.SA), according to the Chinese customs authority, as it cracks down on meat shipments amid concerns about the new coronavirus...

06 Jul 2020

JBS plant in Brazil allowed to reopen again after COVID-19 outbreak

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Brazilian meatpacker JBS SA has been allowed to reopen its chicken plant in the southern town of Passo Fundo after an outbreak of the novel coronavirus among its employees, the company told Reuters on Friday. “JBS confirms the resumption of activi...

06 Jul 2020

17 Million Consumers Informed About Health Benefits of Beef, Lamb and Pork by Levy Bodies’ Campaign

The second year of a campaign by the British levy bodies has succeeded in reaching 17 million people, helping to bring a more balanced perspective to public discussion around the health properties of red meat. The collective initiative funded by the Agriculture and Horticultur...

03 Jul 2020

German pig farmers suffer after abattoir’s closure

HAMBURG (Reuters) – German pig farming is being disrupted by the closure of one of the country’s largest slaughterhouses after a coronavirus outbreak, an industry association said on Friday. Some 600,000 people in Guetersloh in the western German state of North Rhine-W...

03 Jul 2020

Claims about COVID-19 in meat plants and worker exploitation are ‘false and misleading’ – BMPA

The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) has described union claims that cases of COVID-19 in UK abattoirs are linked to migrant worker exploitation as ‘false and misleading’. Responding to some high-profile cases of COVID-19 in meat plants, the Unite Union said the ...

03 Jul 2020

Red meat health campaign reaches 17m people

A campaign which aims counter misinformation in the media on the role of red meat in the diet has reached 17 million people. The initiative aims to bring a ‘more balanced perspective’ to public discussion around the health properties of red meat. It sets out eviden...

01 Jul 2020

Irish Beef launches in the Philippines

Organic Irish beef, supplied by Good Herdsmen, is now being sold by Healthy Options, the Philippines largest organic health foods retailer. The striploin, ribeye and T-bone cuts are being marketed as hormone-free, raised on family farms, with farm to table traceability. Health...

30 Jun 2020

China suspends bulk of Dutch pork imports after COVID-19 outbreaks

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – China has halted almost all imports of pork from the Netherlands, apparently motivated by COVID-19 outbreaks at some of the largest Dutch slaughterhouses. China banned meat delivered by four of the largest Dutch abattoirs as of Sunday, Dutch governm...

30 Jun 2020

Germany extends lockdown in district hit by COVID-19 in abattoir

BERLIN (Reuters) – The western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) said on Monday that as a precaution it would extend by one week a lockdown in one of two districts affected by an outbreak of the coronavirus at a slaughterhouse. NRW premier Armin Laschet said r...

30 Jun 2020

Some U.S. food suppliers forego China contracts over coronavirus curbs, trade group says

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Chinese demands that overseas suppliers guarantee their food shipments are free of the novel coronavirus are causing some shippers to forego the China trade, an industry group representing U.S. produce growers said on Friday. Western Growers, which re...

30 Jun 2020

Brazil says China bans three meatpacking plants amid COVID-19 pandemic

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – China’s General Administration of Customs has temporarily banned the import of meat from three plants in Brazil amid concern over the novel coronavirus, according to the agriculture ministry on Monday. The ministry declined to name the companies a...

30 Jun 2020

Germany pushes for animal welfare levy after abattoir scandal

BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany is making progress towards introducing an animal welfare levy, Agriculture Minister Julia Kloeckner said after talks on Friday on cleaning up the meat trade, which is in the spotlight following an outbreak of the coronavirus at an abattoir. The...

30 Jun 2020

China Halts Meat Imports From More Plants Amid Virus Confusion

(Bloomberg) — China suspended meat imports from more plants as the Asian nation continues to sow confusion in global agriculture markets by suggesting a potential link between the spread of coronavirus and food. Customs authorities suspended imports from plants in countr...

26 Jun 2020

Museum of London Smithfield move gets green light

£337m redevelopment wins approval – as plan to relocate historic Smithfield to Dagenham is put forward. PLANS to redevelop part of Smithfield market into a museum were given the green light on Monday. The £337million scheme will see the Museum of London transfer from the B...

26 Jun 2020

2 Sisters reveal details of £1m welfare fund to support staff at Covid hit Anglesey abattoir

2 Sisters Food Group have announced the details of £1m welfare fund for workers at their Covid hit abattoir on Anglesey. The chicken factory in Llangefni was shut for two weeks last Thursday as the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases at the plant mounted. So far nearly 300 wo...

26 Jun 2020

Air cooling system in German abattoir helped spread coronavirus among hundreds of workers

The air cooling system used in a German slaughterhouse helped spread the coronavirus among hundreds of workers, a hygiene expert said on Wednesday, a day after the mass outbreak triggered renewed lockdowns in the area. More than 1,500 out of 7,000 employees have tested positiv...

24 Jun 2020

Australia beef exports to China cut as trade tensions escalate

Australia has lowered its forecast for beef exports to China by 1.5 per cent for the 2020/21 season due to ongoing trade tensions between the two countries. China is expected to buy 227,000 tonnes of beef in the year to June 2021, 30 per cent less than in the year earlier peri...

24 Jun 2020

Brazil meat exporters sign declarations requested by Chinese authorities

SAO PAULO, June 23 (Reuters) – Brazilian meat processors JBS SA, BRF, Minerva and Manfrig have signed declarations at the request of Chinese authorities, saying their exports are free of the novel coronavirus, according to company sources and a statement. BRF, the world�...

24 Jun 2020

Truckloads of lambs arriving from the UK: ‘It’s a disgrace’- ICSA

“Imports of lambs are causing huge disruption for local farmers who can’t even get quotes for such animals. At the same time they see truckloads of lambs arriving on UK-registered lorries. It’s a disgrace.” This strongly-worded message was from the Sheep Committee cha...

23 Jun 2020

Pork plants continuing to cope with COVID-19 but supplies tight

As pork plants in Europe suffer significant disruption, major UK pork processors are continuing to cope with COVID-19 staffing issues, although supplies remain tight, according to Thames Valley Cambac. In its latest market report, TVC said: “Supply yet again remained tight...

23 Jun 2020

US meat industry puzzled by China’s import ban for one plant

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – China’s decision to ban imports from a single Tyson Foods poultry plant where there was a coronavirus outbreak has raised concerns about the implications on the U.S. meat industry if the action is expanded to other plants. Chinese customs officia...

23 Jun 2020

Eight-award haul for Aubrey Allen

The Warwick Street shop scooped an eight-strong awards windfall, including a brace of top-ranked 3*** accolades, one of which also shortlisted as a Kitchen-Ready category finalist for a ‘best of the best’ Diamond Award. The category finalist was Slow Cooked Ox Cheeks and S...

23 Jun 2020

Brazil beef exporter & British pork plant suspend shipments to China over virus

(Reuters) – China, the world’s top meat importer, said on Tuesday a Brazilian beef exporter and a pork plant in Britain had voluntarily suspended exports because of coronavirus infections. Many meat exporting nations, such as Brazil and the United States, have seen tho...

23 Jun 2020

Tönnies abattoir COVID-19 cases pass 1,000 mark

FRANKFURT (Reuters) – More than 1,000 employees at German meat processing firm Toennies have tested positive for coronavirus, prompting local health authorities to order all 6,500 employees and their families to go into quarantine. The localised lockdown is a setback for...

23 Jun 2020

Beef and lamb exports plunge during Covid-19 crisis

Data from HMRC reveals exports of fresh and frozen UK sheep meat totalled just over 6,100 tonnes that month – down 2,300 tonnes on April 2019. Beef exports totalled 8,500 tonnes – down 1,500 tonnes on the same month in 2019. However total exports between January and April ...

23 Jun 2020

Goodman organic beef hits supermarket shelves in the Philippines

Irish beef is to be sold to retail in the Philippines for the first time this week. The beef, which is organic is being supplied by Good Herdsmen, ABP’s Organic Division, is now being sold by Healthy Options the country’s largest organic health foods retailer, which ha...

22 Jun 2020

New ‘bounce back’ plan aims to boost UK agri-food exports

The government has announced a package of measures to boost British food and farming businesses looking to export following the Covid-19 crisis. The ‘bounce back’ package aims to ‘turbo charge’ UK food and drink exporters as dozens of countries begin to...

22 Jun 2020

Australian beef exports threatened as Chinese buyers look to US

Xiamen, China | A major Chinese commodities trader has warned it will be forced to abandon Australian beef in favour of US suppliers if Beijing does not lift bans on four of the country’s biggest abattoirs in the next six months. Xiamen Xiangyu Group, a state-owned Chin...

22 Jun 2020

Coronavirus: Butchers’ shops see red meat sales soar

Independent butchers have seen a spike in trade during the coronavirus lockdown, with sales of some red meat up by almost 50%. Figures released by market analyst Kantar Worldpanel show a UK-wide increase in red meat sales for the 12 weeks to 17 May 2020. But the rise in sales ...

22 Jun 2020

China Halts Tyson Poultry Imports From Arkansas Plant After Virus Outbreak

On Sunday, China’s customs officials disclosed they had halted shipments of chicken products from a US meat processing facility owned by Tyson Inc. that had been infected by the highly-contagious novel coronavirus. The General Customs Administration stated it had decid...

22 Jun 2020

German pig farmers enjoying boom in Chinese exports

German pig farmers are thriving thanks to a surge in demand from China after exporting half a million tonnes of pork to the country last year. China has suffered a 10 percent reduction in domestic production of pork in the aftermath of the African swine fever epidemic in 2018 ...

22 Jun 2020

Local lockdown considered for Anglesey as coronavirus infections at 2 Sisters chicken plant double

Public Health Wales said the number of people linked to the Llangefni 2 Sisters plant diagnosed with the virus had grown to 158 and the number of infections was expected to keep growing. The Welsh Government is considering a local lockdown on Anglesey to prevent a coronavirus ...

19 Jun 2020

‘Nearly one million pigs killed’ as African swine fever worsens in Nigeria

An outbreak of African swine fever in Nigeria is reportedly “decimating” livestock as farmers cull hundreds of thousands of pigs in efforts to stop the disease. The outbreak began earlier this year in the state of Lagos – the region around the country’s most p...

19 Jun 2020

Industry warns UK meat sector could ‘lose’ EU orders within 12 weeks

The UK meat sector will start losing EU customers from September unless Government clarifies key technical issues on trade arrangements, the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) has warned. It has urged Government to clarify within the next few weeks what export health c...

19 Jun 2020

Coronavirus outbreak confirmed at Yorkshire meat factory that supplies Asda

An outbreak of Covid-19 has been confirmed at a meat packing factory owned by Asda. Mobile testing tents have been set up outside Kober Ltd near Cleckheaton, which supplies the supermarket giant with bacon rashers and joints. Asda bought the business outright through its Norma...

18 Jun 2020

Six legged superfoods – the future of meat?

With the ethics and environmental costs of red meat production under increasing scrutiny, raising insects for food could play a significant role in the future, believes Lincolnshire farmer Adam Banks. And he is now rearing the house cricket (Acheta domesticus) to produce a pro...

18 Jun 2020

China’s meat importers fret about delays as port runs virus tests

BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s meat importers fear clearing delays and a hit to demand after one of the country’s major ports began requiring coronavirus tests for all meat and seafood containers to prevent contamination. Tianjin on the northern coast, the primary port ...

18 Jun 2020

Time is running out for Britian’s meat sector, warns BMPA

In 2021, the way in which the UK trades with the EU is going to change significantly, but Government is yet to secure a plan. Here, the BMPA outlines its concerns and what is needed. A significant of number of people believe the UK currently ‘exports’ goods to Europe, but ...

18 Jun 2020

Aussie beef urges UK to think beyond quotas

The Australian red meat industry has welcomed the launch of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement negotiations, under unique circumstances. Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Simon Birmingham, and UK Secretary of State for International Trade, L...

18 Jun 2020

UK announces the launch of free trade agreement negotiations with Australia and New Zealand

Yesterday (17 June) the UK Government announced the launch of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between the United Kingdom and both Australia and New Zealand. A UK-Australia FTA will be ambitious and comprehensive. It will be a modern agreement with best-practice trade...

17 Jun 2020

Australian lamb exports redefined to compete with New Zealand

Australian lamb exports are being redefined to help farmers compete with New Zealand. Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has introduced an amendment to export laws to change the definition so animals under 12 months of age with two permanent incisor teeth are considered la...

17 Jun 2020

China’s meat importers worry about delays as key port runs COVID-19 tests

BEIJING, June 17 (Reuters) – China’s meat importers fear clearing delays and a hit to demand after one of the country’s major ports started requiring COVID-19 tests for all meat and seafood containers to prevent contamination from the coronavirus that causes the dise...

11 Jun 2020

How COVID-19 and African swine fever are shaping the global pork market

The Chinese market has provided the UK pork sector with a ‘soft landing’ amid the global disruption to trade caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. But with a complex mix of COVID-19, African swine fever (ASF) and political tensions currently shaping the outlook for the global p...

11 Jun 2020

Booming Business: Pigs Flying to China in 747 Jumbo Jets

The coronavirus has wreaked havoc on commercial aviation, but Alexey Isaykin’s cargo carrier has been fully loaded. Volga-Dnepr Group has flown more than 3,000 breeding pigs to China from France this year. The animals — transported 6,450 miles in wooden crates in the hold ...

11 Jun 2020

JBS approved to reopen Brazil beef plant after hundreds test positive for COVID-19

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – JBS, the world’s largest meatpacker, received permission from a court in Brazil’s remote state of Rondônia to reopen a beef plant even after 266 employees there tested positive for the COVID-19 respiratory disease, according to a statement from...

11 Jun 2020

UK food standards petition nears 1 million signatures

A petition urging UK politicians to ensure any food imports meet British standards has garnered the support of almost one million people. Just 10 days ago the petition had been signed by 50,000 people but at the time of publication, the figure had rocketed to more than 906,00...

10 Jun 2020

EU farm groups call for temporary arrangements to protect trade as Brexit talks stall

EU farm and food chain groups have called for temporary arrangements to be put in place to protect trade with the UK in the event that a free trade deal cannot be agreed by the end of the year. Copa and Cogeca, Celcaa and FoodDrinkEurope have warned the lack of progress during...

10 Jun 2020

Local abattoirs need ’emergency’ fund

AN EMERGENCY fund must be created to protect local abattoirs – and the family farms that depend upon them – from being destroyed in the rush to ever larger economies of scale. That was the conclusion of a report published this week by Westminster’s All-Party Parliame...

09 Jun 2020

CME update: cattle futures stabilise amid further fall in beef prices

US live cattle futures stabilised on 8 June, reversing last week’s falls. Reuters reports that US beef prices continue to weaken. The market is expected to remain under pressure as beef production continues to recover from COVID-19-related disruptions in April and May. Meat...

09 Jun 2020

‘No basis’ for cattle price pressure amid stronger beef markets

There is no basis for pressure on cattle prices from the factories, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA). Commenting on the matter, IFA National Livestock Committee chairman Brendan Golden said: “Prices are rising strongly in our main export market in the UK a...

09 Jun 2020

Online bidding proves popular with livestock buyers

A move to introduce an online bidding system for livestock in response to the coronavirus pandemic has been hailed a success by ANM Group. The north-east farmers’ co-operative, which operates livestock marts at Thainstone near Inverurie and Quoybrae in Caithness, launched an...

09 Jun 2020

Pig prices move forward on the back of tight supply and ‘keen’ demand

Pig prices moved forward last week, with one major adding 3p to its weekly quote, followed by similar rises in other significant outlets, according to Thames Valley Cambac. In its latest market update, TVC said the trigger for the long-awaited rise seemed to be the continuing...

09 Jun 2020

Hungarian pork processors hit hard by swine fewer

Rising live pork prices due to the swine fewer have hurt Hungarian meat processors. MCS Vagohid, one of the country’s largest slaughterhouse reported a HUF5bn loss in 2019 and HUF10bn since it began operations in Mohacs (southern Hungary) three years ago, local media rep...

09 Jun 2020

Call for ‘UK Strategy for Abattoirs’ to stem tide of small slaughterhouse closures

A Parliamentary group has called on the Government to develop a ‘UK Strategy for Abattoirs’ in order to stem the tide of small slaughterhouse closures. There were 30,000 registered abattoirs in the 1930s, down to just under 250 today, of which 62 are classed as small. The ...

09 Jun 2020

Government urged to support UK’s dwindling small abattoirs

A new report has highlighted the negative impact of small abattoir closures on the rural economy and the need for greater government support. The report comes as figures show that a third of small abattoirs have closed in the last ten years alone – with only 62 now left ...

09 Jun 2020

Rabobank tips slowing beef demand

AS parts of the world cautiously ease out of lockdown and reassess COVID-19’s impact on the beef sector, Rabobank’s latest global Beef Quarterly has revised down its global beef production outlook and forecasts slowing beef demand in a declining economy. However, t...

09 Jun 2020

Opportunities in Asia for UK red meat exports

DEMAND FOR red meat in Asia has soared due to the ongoing African Swine Fever outbreak and could offer opportunities for UK meat exporters. This message was heard by almost 200 delegates who took part in an AHDB export webinar, where they were told that despite the impact coro...

08 Jun 2020

Taiwan set to export pork again after 23 years hiatus

TAIPEI (The China Post/ANN) — Members of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) will vote on Monday to determine whether Taiwan can regain its status as a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) free country without vaccination. Once the change of status is approved, Taiwan mig...

08 Jun 2020

Meat upheaval in US lets Argentina back in the beef game

After America’s meat-processing woes opened up a window for importers, Argentina shipped 1,290 metric tons to the United States in April. America’s meat-processing woes opened a window for importers and Argentina pounced. Beef shipments to the United States from Argentina�...

08 Jun 2020

QMS Launches New Sustainable Red Meat Action Groups

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has launched a series of new “Sustainable Red Meat Action Groups” aimed at livestock farmers who are keen to understand the relationship between carbon, meat production and profit. Pasture-based livestock production will be at the core of these ...

08 Jun 2020

Court orders JBS pork plant in Brazil shut for 14 days amid coronavirus fears

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – A Brazilian judge has suspended activities at a pork plant owned by meat packer JBS SA in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul for 14 days, according to a copy of the decision seen Friday night. As part of the decision, employees in hi...

08 Jun 2020

Germany tightens abattoir rules after coronavirus…

Germany has tightened up rules on abattoirs, banning the subcontracting of meatpacking work through agencies after a rash of coronavirus outbreaks, government sources said. The cases has caused outrage in the home countries of the sector’s predominately foreign workers. The ...

05 Jun 2020

Lamb prices follow seasonal trend

By Rebecca Wright This week lamb prices have followed the expected seasonal trend. During the week ending 3 June, the GB liveweight NSL SQQ slipped almost 8p week-on-week, to 238.38p/kg. Prices are still currently above year earlier levels. Daily prices throughout the week wer...

05 Jun 2020

Another strong week of gains for cattle prices

By Rebecca Wright Across the board GB deadweight cattle prices have continued on an upwards trend. During the week ending 30 May, the all-prime average measure increased 7.5p week-on-week, to £3.45/kg. For the first time in quite a while prices are within touching distance of...

05 Jun 2020

GB finished pig prices record marginal decline

By Felicity Rusk In the week ending 30 May, the EU-spec SPP paused its upward movement. Although the fall was relatively minor, at 0.06p, this is the first decline since early April. The price averaged 164.45p/kg, almost 18p above the same week last year. However, this time ...

05 Jun 2020

Could we cope if key pig abattoirs close?

Background: Loss of US slaughter capacity The US pig industry has hit the headlines recently. Significant outbreaks of COVID-19 amongst abattoir staff led a number of key pork processors to close, some for weeks at a time. At one point, the processing industry had reportedly l...

05 Jun 2020

Impossible Foods starting direct-to-consumer plant burger sales

(Reuters) – Impossible Foods said on Thursday it will sell plant-based meat burgers in the United States directly to consumers through its own website, as demand for vegan alternatives surge amid rising beef prices due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The move is a part of Impo...

05 Jun 2020

Yum China to bring Beyond Meat’s plant-based burgers to China

(Reuters) – Yum China Holdings Inc said on Monday it will introduce Beyond Meat Inc’s plant-based burgers at its fast-food restaurants in mainland China starting June 3. Beyond Burgers will be introduced as a limited-time offering at select KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Be...

05 Jun 2020

BMPA calls for butchers to be added to Shortage Occupation List

The British meat processing industry is calling on the Government to help keep production lines operating by adding butchers to the Shortage Occupation List. The Government’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is currently consulting on which occupations should be added to t...

04 Jun 2020

Trade Credit Insurance backed by £10 billion guarantee

Government to provide guarantees of up to £10 billion to Trade Credit Insurance schemes for business-to-business transactions. Trade Credit Insurance, which provides essential cover to hundreds of thousands of business-to-business transactions, will receive up to £10 billion...

02 Jun 2020

COVID-19 likely to affect beef industry into 2021

Pay attention to cattle price upswings; it may be time to avoid more losses and sell. Cattle processing challenges continue to limit the amount of beef available to consumers. While daily slaughter levels have consistently improved, they have yet to approach levels that would ...

02 Jun 2020

Namibia’s beef exports to international markets not affected by COVID-19

WINDHOEK, June 1 (Xinhua) — Namibia’s beef exports to international markets have not been affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic, a major beef export company said Monday. According to Mwilima Mushokobanji, CEO of the Namibia state-owned meat processing firm Meatc...

02 Jun 2020

Spanish pig meat exports still well up

Spain is the second largest pig meat exporter in Europe, and in the first quarter of 2020, volumes were up 14% (+79,000 tonnes) on a year earlier. This was partly a reflection of higher production, which over the same period was up 4%, or 56,000 tonnes, compared with January-M...

02 Jun 2020

The plant-based meat wars are hitting the courts

A European court just blocked Nestlé from naming its burger brand “Incredible.” Bad news for anyone who uses Thesaurus.com to come up with brand names: Citing trademark concerns, a European court just blocked Nestlé from naming its plant-based burger line the “Incred...

02 Jun 2020

Big changes for Louth Livestock Market’s auction days

Louth Livestock Market’s weekly market day have been moved from Thursday mornings to Monday afternoons. The decision comes after ‘considerable thought’ from the directors of the market, which is operated by Masons in Louth, as they feel it will better fit into the schedu...

02 Jun 2020

Leap in spring lamb numbers

SPRING lambs continue to spring forward in much greater numbers at Skipton Auction Mart, the 1,498 forward this Monday by far the largest turnout of the season to date. They sold to an overall average of £97.43 per head, or 236.8p/kg The welcome return of vendor prizes at the...

02 Jun 2020

Dairy goat producers weather COVID-19 storm

It is no secret that dairy cow markets have been impacted by COVID-19. The situation also has negatively affected the dairy goat world, but in a different way. While the pandemic may not have caused an immediate disruption for dairy goat producers like it did for dairy farmers...

02 Jun 2020

UK food standards group Red Tractor to bring in new chicken welfare labels

Red Tractor Assurance, a UK food standards organisation has introduced a new range of labels for chicken which will indicate how it has been produced. It said the Enhanced Welfare labels will allow farmers to sell their products through the Red Tractor accreditation, whichever...

02 Jun 2020

LIVESTOCK-Lean hog futures end lower on U.S.-China trade worries

CHICAGO, June 1 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lean hog futures fell Monday on worries that deteriorating relations between the United States and China, the world’s biggest pork importer, could inhibit U.S. pork sales to the Asian nation, traders said. C...

02 Jun 2020

Kolkata: Chicken, mutton rates hit all-time high on supply crunch

KOLKATA: Prices of chicken and mutton — the two principal sources of protein for non-vegetarians – have hit all-time highs in the aftermath of Cyclone Amphan. Chicken rate, that has been on a roller-coaster ride since the lockdown began, touched Rs 250 on Monday and mu...

02 Jun 2020

While Beef Prices Rise at Stores, Cattle Prices Drop – Why?

USDA officials and federal prosecutors are probing the wide gap between what consumers pay for beef at the grocery store (the highest in decades) and the painfully low prices that livestock producers are paid for their cattle. By the numbers: The average retail price for fresh...

02 Jun 2020

Irish Beef Finishers Hit Hard by COVID-19 & Brexit Losses of €111M

Irish Farmer’s Association National Livestock Chairman Brendan Golden said Agriculture Minister Creed must secure a direct payment package to make up for the beef price losses for winter finishers on the back of the COVID-19 outbreak and Brexit inflicted market disturban...

02 Jun 2020

New Zealand export meat prices fall back from recent highs

Export prices for meat, including lamb and beef, fell in the March 2020 quarter, from record levels at the end of 2019, New Zealand’s statistics department Stats NZ said on Tuesday, Trend reports citing Xinhua. “The fall in export prices coincided with the COVID-...

02 Jun 2020

Antibiotic use remains unchanged in UK pig industry – AHDB

According to data collected using the electronic medicine book (eMB), antibiotic use in 2019 held at 110 mg/PCU. The data represent 95 percent of pigs slaughtered in the UK and equals usage in 2018, having fallen 60 percent in the three years prior. Significantly, the use of h...

02 Jun 2020

Coronavirus-related disruptions in the beef supply chain have spurred changes. Will they last?

Eight Greeley JBS employees have died from COVID-19 and at least 300 have tested positive for the virus. Beef, poultry and pork processing plants nationwide have had outbreaks during the pandemic, due in part to the fact that employees work close to each other for several ho...

02 Jun 2020

67 piglets stolen from farm in Hampshire

67 piglets have been stolen from a farm in Fordingbridge in Hampshire. The six-week-old piglets were stolen from a farm in Damerham between May 20 and May 28. They each have the reference HB0789 tattooed on them. Hampshire Police officers from the Countrywatch team are investi...

28 May 2020

Mass testing to resume at Cork meat plant

MASS Covid-19 testing of workers at the Kepak meat processing plant in Watergrasshill will get underway again tomorrow. Hundreds of workers at the 650-employee plant will be tested by HSE staff. Those being tested were already tested over two weeks ago but were negative. Howev...

28 May 2020

Police close Apeldoorn abattoir for breaking Covid-19 rules

An abattoir owned by meat processing giant Vion in Apeldoorn was closed down by police on Wednesday because workers had been brought to the location crammed into 18 small buses, news website Nu.nl said. Although abattoir owners had agreed not to do this, it is still happening ...

28 May 2020

Export of Irish beef to China temporarily suspended due to case of ‘Atypical BSE’

The Department of Agriculture has confirmed that the export of Irish beef to China has been suspended temporarily as a result of a case of “Atypical BSE”. The decision was made after a 14-year-old-cow tested positive. The cow was tested as part of the department...

27 May 2020

More than 14,000 pigs culled as India’s African swine fever dated back to January

African swine fever has been present in north east India at least since January, according to global animal health body, OIE. The Asian media is now reporting that 14,000 pigs have been culled in one of the two infected states, Assam, alone, with claims the virus might have re...

27 May 2020

Scotland’s pork industry ‘robust’ despite Covid-19 crisis

Strong consumer demand and collaboration has seen the Scottish pork industry succeed when other markets like the US and Ireland have slowed. This is according to Aberdeenshire pig producer Philip Sleigh, who has said Scotland’s pork industry remains robust despite Covid-19 c...

27 May 2020

Steak promotions helping to balance carcase as sales up 20 per cent on last year

Efforts to promote steaks from all parts of the supply chain have begun to bear fruit, with sales up 20 per cent year on year. In March, the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) had warned of a possible cattle price drop as demand for high value cuts plummeted due to t...

27 May 2020

‘Strict measures’ prevent coronavirus outbreaks in Belgian abattoirs

So far, Belgium has not had to close slaughterhouses due to a coronavirus outbreak among staff members, mainly because the rules are much stricter than in the neighbouring countries, according to the sector. In neighbouring countries, several slaughterhouses have been closed d...

27 May 2020

Small meat processors backlogged as virus idles big U.S. plants

CHICAGO/WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Reuters) – Inside the small-scale Iowa abattoir Stanhope Locker and Market, owner Shaunna Zanker yawns with exhaustion as she listens to yet another farmer asking her to slaughter his pigs. “I’m so sorry, but we’re booked through March o...

27 May 2020

North China port sees surge in imports of frozen meat

TIANJIN, May 26 (Xinhua) — Tianjin Port in north China handled imports of 611,000 tonnes of frozen meat from January to April, representing a surge of 75.3 percent year on year, according to Tianjin Customs on Tuesday. Tianjin is a major port of entry for meat heading to...

26 May 2020

NZ beef export receipts expected to pass $4b this season

New Zealand beef export receipts are expected to pass the $4 billion mark this season for the first time. Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s mid-season update for 2019-20 forecast beef, lamb and mutton farmgate prices to maintain their high levels, by long-term historical standar...

26 May 2020

‘Something isn’t right’: U.S. probes soaring beef prices

Supermarket customers are paying more for beef than they have in decades during the coronavirus pandemic. But at the same time, the companies that process the meat for sale are paying farmers and ranchers staggeringly low prices for cattle. Now, the Agriculture Department and ...

26 May 2020

Brazil Toughens Rules to Avoid U.S.-Style Disruptions

Brazil, the biggest exporter of beef and chicken, is betting on a new set of safety standards to avoid the kind of mass processing disruptions that caused meat shortages and price spikes in America. The South American farming giant plans to introduce new national guidelines th...

25 May 2020

China’s pork imports in April jump 170% to record high

BEIJING (Reuters) – China, the world’s top pork consumer, imported a record 400,000 tonnes in April, up nearly 170% from a year earlier, customs data showed, as buyers took advantage of low prices to stock up on meat. China imported 1.35 million tonnes of pork in the f...

24 May 2020

Germany shuts another abattoir after workers get coronavirus

HAMBURG (Reuters) – German authorities said they closed another abattoir after an outbreak of coronavirus among its workers. The plant, in Dissen in north Germany, had already been on reduced operations slaughtering pigs after a previous discovery of coronavirus there, t...

22 May 2020

British ASF vaccine said to protect 100% of pigs

UK scientists have got a step closer to developing a vital vaccine for African Swine Fever (ASF). In a recent trial, 100% of pigs immunised with the new vaccine survived a lethal dose of ASF virus. The research, carried out by scientists from The Pirbright Institute i...

21 May 2020

Three members of staff die from COVID-19 at Cranswick sliced meat plant

Three members of staff have died as a result of COVID-19 at Cranswick’s sliced meat factory at Wombwell, in Barnsley, the pork processor has confirmed. In total, nine employees tested positive for the virus at the site, which employs around 1,200 people, three of which sad...

21 May 2020

German Abattoir Restarting Work After Coronavirus Shutdown

HAMBURG, May 20 (Reuters) – German abattoir and meat processor Westfleisch said on Wednesday it is resuming production at its plant in Coesfeld which was closed earlier in May after an outbreak of coronavirus. Labour Minister Hubertus Heil also said on Wednesday that Ger...

21 May 2020

Dutch meat processing plant closed as 45 workers test positive for Covid-19

There are strong indications that coronavirus will lead to more slaughterhouse and meat factory closures in the Netherlands, FNV spokesman John Klijn has told the AD, following news of a second outbreak at a Vion plant in the south. The Groenlo plant, which processes organic p...

21 May 2020

‘Wall of US meat’ early next year will impact Australia’s cattle and meat fortunes, webinar told

A ‘wall of meat’ is building in the United States in coming months, which will inevitably impact pricing for Australian cattle and beef early next year, warns independent meat and livestock analyst Simon Quilty. The problem stems from the enormous back-log of cattle that h...

20 May 2020

African Swine Fever takes its toll on North Korean pig farms

African Swine Fever (ASF) has caused mass deaths of pigs at farms in South Hwanghae Province and North Hamgyong Province, leading the central government to take action to prevent further outbreaks, Daily NK has learned. “Livestock disease[s] are spreading rapidly throughou...

20 May 2020

Downward trend for China’s pork prices obvious: executive

With more non-agricultural enterprises from internet giants to property developers eagerly moving into the pig farming industry, pork oversupply might occur in the next two years and the downward trend for pork prices is clear in China, a senior executive said Monday. However,...

20 May 2020

Dawn Meats to restart burger production as McDonald’s re-opens

Dawn Meats is to re-start is burger production in Waterford ahead of the re-opening of some McDonald’s fast food outlets today in Ireland and European McDonald’s in Europe to reopen from Monday. Dawn Meats supplies McDonald’s restaurants with beef burgers fro...

20 May 2020

Workers Cheered Upon Return to South Dakota Pork Plant

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Employees at a Smithfield pork processing plant in South Dakota where a coronavirus outbreak infected more than 800 people were greeted at work May 20 with thank you signs, cheers and waves from about a dozen area residents. “They’re putting their hea...

20 May 2020

Germany tightens abattoir rules after coronavirus outbreaks

BERLIN, May 20 (Reuters) – Germany has tightened up rules on abattoirs, banning the subcontracting of meatpacking work through agencies after a rash of coronavirus outbreaks, government sources said. The cases has caused outrage in the home countries of the sector’s pr...

19 May 2020

Germany to ban subcontracting in meatpacking industry after virus outbreaks

BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany will order meatpacking plants to stop using subcontractors and to improve hygiene standards in the workplace and accommodations, after more than 600 cases of coronavirus among workers in the industry, a draft government proposal said. Labour Mi...

19 May 2020

Government drops plans to slash post-Brexit tariffs on agricultural goods

The Government has dropped plans to slash tariffs on imports of pork products and other agricultural products from the start of next year, following strong industry lobbying. The move has been welcomed by industry bodies, including the NPA and the UK farming unions, which hav...

19 May 2020

Living conditions of migrant workers at meat plants ‘should be considered before criticism’

CONCERNS HAVE BEEN raised about criticism of migrant workers at meat plants who are not able to adhere to social distancing guidance at home due to their sometimes cramped living arrangements. There have been 15 clusters of infection and almost 700 cases of Covid-19 in meat ...

19 May 2020

Silver Fern Farms increases Red Meat Supply to U.S.

NEW YORK — Silver Fern Farms, New Zealand’s largest red meat producer and exporter, announced that it is increasing supply availability to help meet the needs of U.S. consumers and customers. The company currently exports grass-fed beef, lamb and venison to the U.S. ann...

19 May 2020

Alarm as another German abattoir hit by coronavirus outbreak

Germany has uncovered another cluster of coronavirus infections at a slaughterhouse, fuelling alarm about working conditions in the country’s meat packing plants. A total of 92 employees at the Westfleisch abattoir in Lower Saxony state have tested positive, local authoritie...

19 May 2020

France hit by new Covid-19 outbreaks in two abattoirs

Around a hundred people are believed to have been infected by the coronavirus in newly discovered outbreaks in two French abattoirs. One abattoir is in the central Val de Loire region near the city of Orléans. The other is in the northwestern region of Brittany. Regional heal...

19 May 2020

Australian beef exporters banned by China are repeat offenders, but New Zealand firms escape sanctions, customs data shows

China banned four Australian meat processing plants last week, while also imposing a 80 per cent tariff on imports of Australian barley The move raised suspicions that China was using technical requirements to punish Canberra for its call for an international inquiry over the ...

18 May 2020

NZ tries to offset the closed China market by increasing exports to other markets

By Rebecca Wright During the first quarter of 2020 New Zealand beef exports grew, while sheep meat exports declined. In total, sheep meat exports dropped 6,500 tonnes on-the-year, to 134,900 tonnes, according to Statistics New Zealand. The entire decline was driven by a drop ...

18 May 2020

China says Australia minister should use appropriate channel to contact China counterpart

BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s foreign ministry said on Monday that Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham should use the appropriate channels if he wishes to speak with his Chinese counterpart. Birmingham said during a television interview with Australian Broadcastin...

18 May 2020

Germany to ban subcontracting in meatpacking industry after virus outbreaks

14 May 2020

Australia says China silent on trade talk request, maintains call for coronavirus inquiry

SYDNEY (Reuters) – China has not responded to a request for urgent talks after Australia’s key agriculture exports were hit with suspensions and tariff threats, said Australia’s trade minister, as ties strain over Canberra’s call for a coronavirus pandemic inquiry....

14 May 2020

China Cracks Down on Meat Smuggling (Again)

Chinese customs authorities have been announcing seizures of smuggled meat products. This crackdown began in 2019 and seems to reflect a surge in smuggling prompted by a spike in Chinese meat prices last year that increased the trade’s profitability. The inspection burea...

14 May 2020

More Mexican beef headed to U.S. dinner tables as American supply crunch bites

MEXICO CITY/CHICAGO (Reuters) – More Mexican steaks and other beef cuts are headed north of the border after the coronavirus outbreak has hobbled U.S. meat processing plants, potentially offsetting fears of shortages affecting businesses from fast-food chains to grocery ...

14 May 2020

Australia requests China trade talks, won’t drop inquiry push

SYDNEY, May 13 (Reuters) – Australia’s trade minister is seeking urgent talks with his Chinese counterpart after key agriculture exports were hit with suspensions and tariff threats, but said Australia will continue to push for an inquiry into the coronavirus outbreak....

13 May 2020

Russian food stamps to help push poultry consumption

Russian meat and poultry producers have asked the government to allocate Rub800 billion ($ 11 billion) for a food stamps programme. The idea is to support demand for the remainder of 2020 for multiple products, including poultry meat and eggs to mitigate the effects of the c...

13 May 2020

Calls for poultry factory closure after worker dies from Covid-19

Calls have been made for a poultry processing factory in Northern Ireland to be temporarily closed down after a 58 year old female worker died from Covid-19. Workers union Unite says urgent action is needed by local government Ministers after Luciana Viviana da Silva died from...

12 May 2020

China’s restrictions on Australian beef, barley seen as retaliation for support of coronavirus investigation

Within the space of two days, China announced new tariffs of up to 80 per cent on Australian barley imports and banned beef imports from four firms Some analysts believe the moves would create space for China to import more barley and beef from the US to fulfil requirements of...

12 May 2020

China suspends Australian beef imports from four abattoirs

China has suspended imports from four large red meat abattoirs, fuelling concern of a campaign by Beijing against Australian producers in response to Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s push for an independent coronavirus inquiry. The meat export freeze follows China’...

11 May 2020

As U.S. meat workers fall sick and supplies dwindle, exports to China soar

CHICAGO (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump ordered meat processing plants to stay open to protect the nation’s food supply even as workers got sick and died. Yet the plants have increasingly been exporting to China while U.S. consumers face shortages, a Reuters an...

11 May 2020

Karro owners acquire Irish quality pork company

Yorkshire-based Eight Fifty Food Group, the owner of Karro and Young’s, has acquired Irish pork company, M&M Walshe, for an undisclosed fee. M&M Walshe, which trades as RibWorld, Callan Bacon and Stirchley Bacon, is a processor and multi-channel supplier of gammon, b...

11 May 2020

U.S. next week to start purchasing $3 billion worth of farm goods: Trump

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Donald Trump on Saturday said the United States will next week begin purchasing $3 billion worth of dairy, meat and produce from farmers as unemployment soars and people are forced to food lines. “Starting early next week, at my order, ...

11 May 2020

Coronavirus outbreak closes German meat-packing plant

Days after Germany readied to ease coronavirus restrictions, three districts saw outbreaks that will delay reopening. After COVID-19 infections at slaughterhouses, two states will test all meat-processing workers. Following a COVID-19 outbreak at a meat processing plant in the...

07 May 2020

Coronavirus: Meat shortages hit fast food restaurants amid US lockdown

Outbreaks have forced meat-packing plants to temporarily close or slow production, as they try to ensure worker safety. One of the most popular fast food companies in the US has reported beef shortages as slaughterhouses across the country are shut during the coronavirus lockd...

07 May 2020

New funding announced for dairy farmers

Chair of the House of Commons EFRA Select Committee, Neil Parish MP, has welcomed new measures announced by DEFRA to support dairy farmers through the coronavirus crisis. DEFRA’s support for the industry, announced last night, entitles producers to claim up to £10,000 ...

07 May 2020

China Makes Biggest U.S. Pork Order of 2020 as Virus Hits Plants

(Bloomberg) — China is ramping up imports of U.S. pork, going against the trend as America’s meat exports have slowed overall with sick employees limiting production at meatpacking plants. The world’s top pork consumer booked 40,200 metric tons of American meat last ...

06 May 2020

US pork production capacity halved due to COVID-19 – Tyson boss

Approximately half of US pork processing capacity has been shut down during the COVID-19 outbreak, according to the president of US meat giant Tyson Foods. Industry representatives have warned that millions of pigs cannot enter supply and called for a co-ordinated euthanasia p...

06 May 2020

Eat steak not mince to keep the beef industry afloat, NFU president says

British people should eat steak, not mince, in order to help farmers, the head of the National Farmers’ Union has said, as she writes to Boris Johnson asking for a “buy British” button on online grocery shops. Beef farmers are struggling while restaurants are...

05 May 2020

US ‘must conform’ to UK food standards as trade talks commence

Farmers have reiterated the need to protect British food and farming standards as trade talks between the UK and US are set to get underway. The first round of delayed video-conference negotiations will involve 200 officials today (5 May), and is expected to last two weeks wit...

01 May 2020

Dawn Meats still to decide on next week’s plan after 4 staff contract Covid-19

Four employees at the Dawn Meats plant in Kilbeggan have tested positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus, the firm has confirmed. As a result, production at the plant has been deferred. “No decision has yet been taken with regards to deferring any scheduled activity next week,�...

01 May 2020

Birmingham abattoir ordered to pay over £11,000 for hygiene offences

Birmingham Halal Abattoir Limited has admitted responsibility for hygiene offences and been ordered to pay more than £11,000. The business pleaded guilty to multiple instances of failing to prevent potential cross-contamination between carcases before their post-mortem inspec...

01 May 2020

Dawn Meats in Westmeath closes after workers test positive for Covid-19

Dawn Meats has temporarily closed one of its plants following an outbreak of Covid-19. Four cases of the disease have been confirmed at the meat processor’s facility in Kilbeggan in Co Westmeath. In a statement, the food company said when it became aware of four confirme...

30 Apr 2020

GB prime cattle prices continue to move down

In the week ending 25 April, the GB deadweight all prime average fell by 1.7p to average 322.1 p/kg. While the price still recorded a drop on the week, it was considerably smaller than those seen in the previous two weeks. Weekly prime price movements were as follows: Overall ...

30 Apr 2020

Tyson Foods temporarily pauses operations at beef facility in Dakota City

(Reuters) – Tyson Foods Inc is halting operations at a beef facility in Dakota City, Nebraska until May 4 to complete a deep cleaning of the plant amid the coronavirus outbreak, a unit of the largest U.S. meat supplier said on Wednesday. The unit, Tyson Fresh Meats, also...

30 Apr 2020

JBS reopens U.S. pork plant to put down pigs, dispose of carcasses, not produce meat

CHICAGO, April 29 (Reuters) – Meat producer JBS said on Wednesday it was reopening a Minnesota pork plant shuttered by the pandemic to euthanize up to 13,000 pigs a day for farmers, not to produce meat for consumers. U.S. farmers have been forced to cull livestock as the...

30 Apr 2020

£1.2m national campaign to aid beef carcase balance

A major £1.2 million national consumer campaign encouraging consumers to “Make It” with beef is being launched by AHDB, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC). Running for 12 weeks with TV, video on demand, radio and social media, it aims to inspire consumer...

29 Apr 2020

COVID-19 crisis: China warns Australian beef could suffer

China says Australian beef sales could be further negatively impacted if the Morrison government persists with its demands for an inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic. The warning comes from China’s ambassador to Australia, Jingye Cheng, who said the consumption of other a...

29 Apr 2020

U.S. pork supplies tightened before coronavirus shut slaughterhouses

CHICAGO (Reuters) – U.S. supplies of frozen pork fell in March before the coronavirus pandemic forced meat processors to close slaughterhouses, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Wednesday, setting the stage for inventories to tighten further. Processors have closed...

29 Apr 2020

Trump to order meat processing plants to remain open

Order uses the Defense Production Act to classify meat processing as critical infrastructure to try to prevent a shortage of chicken, pork and other meat President Donald Trump took executive action Tuesday to order meat processing plants to stay open amid concerns over growin...

28 Apr 2020

ASF Poland: Lockdown for 450 pig farms

450 pig farms in the province of Greater Poland have been placed into lockdown due to the occurence of ASF in the west of the country. All farms are located around the finisher farm where African Swine Fever (ASF) was recently found. There are 61 pig farms in a 3 km radius i...

27 Apr 2020

Philippines issues temporary ban on imported poultry from US

The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued a temporary ban on the import of domestic and wild birds and their products from the US following an avian virus outbreak in South Carolina. Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued...

27 Apr 2020

M&S launches campaign to support UK farmers

M&S is supporting its network of 10,000 UK farmers through the launch of a new campaign. Lasting six weeks, the TV, social and in-store package aims to highlight the efforts of British farmers and growers in keeping shops supplied with meat, farmed fish, poultry, dairy pro...

27 Apr 2020

Coronavirus: UK beef market concerns ‘intensify’

The British beef sector remains under continued pressure from the near-complete closure of the foodservice industry, according to the latest market analysis. The ceasing of trade to hotels, restaurants and pubs produced a destabilising effect on the market prices for both lamb...

27 Apr 2020

UK pork markets remains relatively ‘unscathed’ from COVID-19, but EU prices falling

The market continued to function ‘relatively unscathed’ from the COVID-19 lockdown rules last week, according to Thames Valley Cambac. The main taking point for some processors were rumblings over of lack of exports leading to full cold stores, while others were concerned ...

27 Apr 2020

JBS shuts U.S. pork plant, Cargill idles Canadian beef plant on coronavirus

CHICAGO/OTTAWA (Reuters) – JBS USA said on Monday it would indefinitely shut a hog slaughterhouse that produces about 5% of U.S. pork, while Cargill Ltd said it was temporarily idling a Canadian beef-processing plant in the latest disruptions to the North American food s...

25 Apr 2020

Irish cattle prices and throughputs fall

Cattle prices have come under pressure in the UK, first for cows, and then more recently prime animals. The situation in Ireland is the same too, although price declines there have been even more marked. Ireland is a large net exporter of beef and so is vulnerable to weaker de...

25 Apr 2020

EU to open private storage aid scheme for beef and lamb

On 22 April the European Commission proposed that Private Storage Aid (PSA) could be made available some agri-food products, including beef and sheep meat. The period of storage would be between three and five months. Under the scheme, product would temporarily be withdrawn ...

25 Apr 2020

The beef sector hits out at retailers as it feels the affects of pub and restaurant closures

The NFU has accused some of the country’s biggest retailers of “failing to honour their commitment to sourcing British beef” and branded it “inexcusable”. As Thursday’s St George’s Day marked the start of Great British Beef Week, the farming organisation said the...

23 Apr 2020

China’s pork prices retreat as pig production recovers

China’s pork prices has kept retreating over the past weeks as hog production gradually picks up and starts to reverse the upward trend. According to monitoring by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China’s hog production and sales have basically recove...

21 Apr 2020

Varied demand among the majors, but little change in the pork market

Demand among the major processors was varied last week, although there was little change in the market, according to Thames Valley Cambac. Some of the majors were keen, while others were quiet, the differences partly driven by trade and partly by staffing availability during t...

21 Apr 2020

Mike Sheldon reappointed as chair of AHDB Pork

Mike Sheldon has been reappointed by UK Ministers for a second term as chair of AHDB’s pork sector board. Mr Sheldon, who was first appointed to the role in April 2017, will now continue in it, alongside sitting on the main AHDB Board, for another two years, ending April 9...

21 Apr 2020

Canada sees no beef shortage, but prices may rise due to coronavirus

OTTAWA/WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Reuters) – The Canadian government is not expecting a beef shortage despite the spread of the novel coronavirus in certain meat-packing plants, though prices may rise, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday. Trudeau also told a briefing ...

21 Apr 2020

China detects African swine fever in another pig truck

BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s agriculture ministry said on Tuesday it had detected the deadly African swine fever virus in pigs transported to the southwestern province of Sichuan, the latest in a dozen such cases in the last two months. China has been battling African s...

21 Apr 2020

Japan’s sheep meat import prices remain high despite coronavirus

TOKYO — Japan’s import prices for sheep meat remain stuck at high levels, even as prices for many other types of meat coming from abroad are falling due to a slump in the food-service industry’s sales amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. Sheep meat import pri...

21 Apr 2020

Eleven arrests after dead sheep found at illegal abattoirs

Eleven men have been arrested after police discovered two illegal abattoirs operating across two English counties. Police found a number of sheep carcasses at a house in Scunthorpe which were believed to have been stolen from farmland before being slaughtered and butchered. Th...

20 Apr 2020

Coronavirus threatens to trigger new round of global food crisis: China official

BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) – The global coronavirus pandemic threatens to cause a huge shock to international food trade and trigger a new food crisis, a top agriculture official in China said on Monday. The comments came as coronavirus outbreaks roiled global agricultur...

20 Apr 2020

JBS shuts major U.S. pork plant due to coronavirus, tightening meat supply

CHICAGO (Reuters) – JBS USA said on Monday it would indefinitely shut a Minnesota hog slaughterhouse that produces about 5% of the country’s pork, in the latest disruption to the U.S. food supply chain from the coronavirus pandemic. The closure limits the amount of mea...

18 Apr 2020

US pig industry facing $5bn COVID-19 ‘financial disaster’

US pig producers are facing a financial disaster and collective losses of $5 billion for the remainder of the year as pig prices plummet due to the the impact of COVID-19, the National Pork Producers Council has warned. At a press briefing, NPPC president Howard ‘AV’ Roth,...

18 Apr 2020

Covid-19 restrictions hit red meat supply chain

Coronavirus restrictions could lead to a backlog of animals on farms waiting to be processed at abattoirs, warns Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). The levy body’s director of economics services, Stuart Ashworth, said the Covid-19 lockdown was causing considerable issues in the re...

18 Apr 2020

Meat suppliers being targeted by card fraud

A NUMBER of North Yorkshire meat suppliers have been targeted by credit card fraudsters. A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said they have received reports of meat suppliers and farm shops in the county taking large quantity orders over the phone which are then paid for us...

17 Apr 2020

Seven arrested as investigation into suspected illegal abattoir is launched

Police are urging people to report suspicious sales of meat following the discovery of a suspected illegal abattoir in Arleston, Telford. The discovery was made at around 9.15pm last night (Thursday 16 April) when officers responded to reports of a collision with a dog on Elmw...

15 Apr 2020

Silver Fern Farms profits jump on back of strong Chinese demand

Meat processor Silver Fern Farms Limited has reported an after tax profit of almost $71 million for the 2019 financial year, it’s strongest annual result in more than a decade. Silver Fern Farms Co-operative, which owns half of SFF Ltd, reported an after tax profit of $3...

14 Apr 2020

Coronavirus: NFU urges retailers to promote cuts of meat in-store

Retailers and processors have a ‘moral responsibility’ to support British farmers by promoting cuts of meat in stores as many face disruption due to Covid-19. Promoting steaks and roasting joints, which are now in high supply due to the complete loss of the food se...

14 Apr 2020

China’s pig industry will rise like a phoenix

China was hit hard by the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks in 2018 and 2019. Most estimates indicate a pig industry size reduction of more than 50%. What does that mean for the years to come? China will come back for sure, but how quickly, and what will the impact be? Richa...

14 Apr 2020

US beef prices drop as foodservice demand dwindles

The majority of US State governments have ordered the closure of restaurants, hotels and other foodservice outlets to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. With the addition of school closures, demand from foodservice has dissipated as consumption switches to in-home. Accordin...

14 Apr 2020

EU pig prices falling

The EU average pig reference price* has now fallen for three consecutive weeks. The price in the latest week, ended 29 March, was €186.35/100kg, over €9 lower than mid-March. At this level, prices are still nearly €37 higher than the same period in 2019 and similar to ...

14 Apr 2020

Soaring demand for mince piles pressure on beef prices

A surge in demand for mince from retailers in Ireland and Britain is adding to the downward pressure on cattle and lamb prices. At the height of the coronavirus panic buying last month, there was a 45pc increase in the amount of beef mince sold by UK retailers. Over 60pc of al...

13 Apr 2020

Hong Kong pig appeal as prices bite

Pork sellers want a rule that live pigs cannot be kept in Hong Kong for more than a day relaxed, saying the recent drop in mainland supply has led to a surge in prices. Jackie Ling Wai-yip, chairman of a fresh meat union, said there were only 1,300 pigs from the mainland price...

13 Apr 2020

China’s beef imports to drop as hotpot comes off the boil

BEIJING, (Reuters) – Just over two months ago, the Jinyuan Fucheng Beef Hotpot restaurant in northern Beijing had a long line of customers waiting outside its doors almost every night of the week. Now, the restaurant that can seat 800 barely fills 20 tables a day, with m...

13 Apr 2020

Smithfield shutting U.S. pork plant indefinitely, warns of meat shortages during pandemic

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Smithfield Foods, the world’s biggest pork processor, said on Sunday it will shut a U.S. plant indefinitely due to a rash of coronavirus cases among employees and warned the country was moving “perilously close to the edge” in supplies for groce...

10 Apr 2020

China reclassifies dogs as pets, not livestock, in post-virus regulatory push

China has drawn up new guidelines to reclassify dogs as pets rather than livestock, the agriculture ministry said, part of a response to the coronavirus outbreak that the Humane Society called a potential “game changer” in animal welfare. Though dog meat remains...

08 Apr 2020

New Zealand meat industry calls on Kiwis to eat more pork

The New Zealand meat industry is calling on the public to eat more pork in order to save pigs. It’s quite the piggy paradox, but after independent butchers had to close their doors there’s a surplus of 5000 pigs every week. New Zealand Pork CEO David Baines told Ne...

08 Apr 2020

ASF Poland: 2nd farm confirmed infected

A 2nd pig farm in Western Poland is infected with African Swine Fever. This time, a 10,000 pig facility near the village of Więckowice was hit. That village is located 20 kilometres west of Poznan and over 130 kilometres from the border with Germany. Remarkably, this farm is ...

07 Apr 2020

Devon 2 Sisters factory hit by ‘key worker’ strike involving 170 employees

A Devon meat factory was hit by a strike today when 170 ‘key workers’ failed to show up for the morning shift at the 2 Sisters factory in Willand. The huge poultry processing plant confirmed that some of its staff ‘chose not to report into work’ on Tues...

07 Apr 2020

FSA Open letter to the meat industry in England in response to coronavirus

To those working in businesses across the meat industry in England. In these unprecedented times, we want to thank you all for working with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to enable your meat processing and our meat inspection to continue in businesses up and down the country ...

03 Apr 2020

Pigs fly in as China replenishes world’s biggest hog herd

BEIJING (Reuters) – Six planes carrying more than 4,000 high-quality French breeding pigs have arrived in China so far this year, the first of an expected dozens of plane-loads as the world’s top pork producer rebuilds its decimated hog herd. China is ramping up import...

03 Apr 2020

Shenzhen bans dog & cat meat

SHENZHEN in Guangdong Province has banned the eating of dogs and cats as part of a wider clampdown on the wildlife trade since the emergence of the new coronavirus. Scientists suspect the coronavirus passed to humans from animals. Some of the earliest infections were found in ...

03 Apr 2020

Meat firm takes different route to find business

A Linlithgow food service operator is the latest to switch to selling direct to consumers after its regular outlets dried up. Campbells Prime Meats is still making deliveries to the NHS, hub schools and social care settings but its core business was delivering to high-end rest...

03 Apr 2020

Lamb market seeks demand

Liveweight lamb prices have been a mixed bag this week. Following sharp declines last week, this week the GB daily prices have been stable to slightly higher. Despite these small rises, prices remain below levels seen before Monday 23 March. Throughout the week throughputs hav...

03 Apr 2020

Meat industry needs ‘flexible’ furlough deal

Meat businesses suffering from the coronavirus downturn would benefit from more flexibility in the government’s offer of staff furlough payments. Speaking from the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers, head of policy Norman Bagley said: “We welcome the measures ta...

02 Apr 2020

Social distancing ‘very challenging’ as pork processors keep supplies moving

Pork processors are doing a ‘fantastic job’ of keeping supplies running during these unprecedented times, but social distancing in plants is proving to be a real challenge, according to the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA). BMPA technical operations director Davi...

01 Apr 2020

Coronavirus crisis creates jobs at pig farms and pork factories

Pig farms are finding ways to cope with erratic demand and pork producers are recruiting for temporary jobs in a bid to keep this key Norfolk food sector functioning during the coronavirus crisis. Major pig producers and processors looking for people include Cranswick, which s...

31 Mar 2020

AIMS calls for ‘flexible furlough’ for meat plants

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) is calling on the Government to introduce a flexible furlough scheme for the meat industry. It wants abattoirs to be able to be able pay full wages when staff are needed and the 80% furlough payment when they are not needed....

30 Mar 2020

West Wales marts closure comes as blow to farmers

An auctioneer firm’s decision to suspend sales of lambs, calves and store cattle at Whitland and Crymych marts for at least three weeks has been described as a blow for local farmers. JJ Morris said none of its marts would operate for three weeks in response to the ongoing c...

30 Mar 2020

Cranswick buys out farm partner

White Rose Farms brought completely in-house along with joint venture company it launched with. Pork giant Cranswick Plc has further strengthened its self-sufficiency in the UK pig market, after acquiring a farm it helped set up – and the operation it partnered with. The...

29 Mar 2020

West Scottish Lamb abattoir to close temporarily

A CARLISLE abattoir was today due to close temporarily as the economic impact from coronavirus continued to spread and deepen across the global economy. West Scottish Lamb at Kingstown, which is known to slaughter large numbers of sheep for export to Europe, confirmed the sh...

26 Mar 2020

‘Key workers’ walk out of factories over lack of social distancing

Workers at Moy Park and ABP Food Group factories in Northern Ireland staged a walk out following concerns social distancing measures were being ignored by the companies. Upset about the working arrangements inside the factories and the lack of measures in place to combat the...

26 Mar 2020

Lamb prices tumble

The past week has been firmly spilt in two for the GB lamb market. During the few days running up to the weekend, liveweight prices were steady or only marginally down. After the weekend however prices were dramatically lower. The weekly GB liveweight OSL SQQ fell almo...

25 Mar 2020

Call for ‘Immediate Suspension’ of all beef imports to EU

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a complete redefinition of the EU beef market in a matter of weeks and represents a market shock of a magnitude that requires immediate response by the EU Commission according to Des Morrison, Chairperson of ICMSA’s Livestock Committee. Mr Mo...

25 Mar 2020

Key workers walk out at poultry plant over coronavirus fears

Large numbers of workers have walked out at one of Northern Ireland’s main poultry manufacturers, a union said. Unite regional officer Sean McKeever said the mass departure at Moy Park in Portadown, Co Armagh, is due to concerns over coronavirus. Unite said it has attempted ...

25 Mar 2020

Why did lamb prices fall while prime cattle prices remained steady?

The first thing to note is that this is a volatile and fast moving situation, and a number of auction markets have closed from today (24 March). Yesterday liveweight lamb prices fell sharply. The daily GB OSL SQQ declined by almost 73p week-on-week, which is equivalent to arou...

24 Mar 2020

Fears of cattle price drop grow as steaks pile up

Concerns have been raised that cattle prices could drop over the coming weeks, with demand for steaks from both the food service sector and retailers plummeting due to the coronavirus epidemic. Pubs and restaurants which would ordinarily buy up steaks have been forced to close...

24 Mar 2020

Lamb prices crash as supply chain succumbs to coronavirus pressure

Livestock auctions have reported a 36 per cent drop in lamb price on the week after recent periods of high throughput and strong trade, with Covid-19 weighing on the supply chain. Cancellation of EU orders and the realignment of the food service sector, which has seen more pro...

23 Mar 2020

McDonald’s restaurant closures sees meat and dairy supplies redirected

The fast food giant has announced its decision to close its 1,350 UK stores from March 23 to negate the spread of the virus. In a social media statement made on March 22, McDonald’s said the decision was ‘difficult’ but necessary to ensure the ‘wellbeing and safety o...

23 Mar 2020

Livestock auctions thrive despite challenging year

Latest throughput figures show healthy picture and good demand at livestock auctions during a challenging year. The figures in England and Wales from the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association (LAA), demonstrate a strong support and demand for the red-meat sector. Numbers sold r...

23 Mar 2020

Pork processors on recruitment drive to help meet growing retail demand

Leading UK pork processors are embarking on a major recruitment drive to help meet the increased demand for food from supermarkets and to fill any gaps that arise due to staff absences related to the coronavirus outbreak. Karro Foods is seeking hundreds of new staff on perman...

23 Mar 2020

Processors aiming for ‘full week’, despite coronavirus staff concerns

Most of the majors are planning a full week’s processing, albeit with some slack built into the plan to cope with staff absenteeism, according to Thames Valley Cambac’s latest market update. Unsurprisingly, the market last week was dominated by the coronavirus outbreak, a...

22 Mar 2020

Hundreds of US beef and pork plants eligible to export to China

The Agriculture Department published a list on Saturday of hundreds of beef and pork producing and storage facilities that are now eligible to export to China under the new, less-restrictive regulations negotiated in the “phase one” trade agreement. USDA’s Food Safety...

20 Mar 2020

China to auction 20,000 tonnes of pork from state reserves

BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) — China has allocated 20,000 tonnes of emergency pork reserve from the country’s central inventory to regions hardest-hit by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) including Wuhan and other cities in Hubei Province, in an effort to keep...

19 Mar 2020

Meat levy body taking break from face-to-face assessments

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is to stop all routine face-to-face quality assurance visits for at least one month in a bid to reduce the spread of coronavirus. The red meat levy body runs assurances schemes for the Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork brands. Its...

19 Mar 2020

Coronavirus and Italy’s pork market

by Duncan Wyatt It seems that Italy is being hit particularly hard by the coronavirus outbreak. Unfortunately, we won’t have official data concerning slaughter, trade and domestic demand for some time. However, we do have some early indications about how the disease is affec...

19 Mar 2020

UK sheep meat imports decline, exports rise in January

By Rebecca Wright During January, UK imports of fresh and frozen sheep meat declined by 18% (900 tonnes) year-on-year, to 4,400 tonnes, according to HMRC data. The volume from New Zealand declined just over 500 tonnes, to 2,000 tonnes. There was some uplift in the volume from...

19 Mar 2020

China resumes economic activity

By Rebecca Wright After two months of shut down, China has begun to cautiously relax measures brought in to control the spread of coronavirus, although some areas have stricter protocols than others. School and colleges are beginning to resume classes, factories and ports are ...

19 Mar 2020

Covid-19 rumours hurt India’s poultry industry

Speculation is rife on social media platforms in India over possible avian links to the deadly Covid-19 disease. The many rumours associated with the consumption of chicken has put a dent in sales and put the poultry industry in a pickle. Millions of small poultry farmers acro...

18 Mar 2020

Livestock market turnover nears £1.6bn as throughput soars

Livestock market turnover neared £1.6 billion in 2019, with numbers sold rising across nearly all categories and an increase in buyers returning to the ring. Livestock Auctioneers’ Association (LAA) data showed sheep trade was particularly strong, with almost 10 million ...

18 Mar 2020

Brazilian chicken exports to China grow 59%, despite Covid19

China had imported 115,400 tons of Brazilian chicken meat during the 2020 first bimester, 59% more than the same period in 2019. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, other factors, like depressed meat production in the country due to ASF, are still favouring international trade. ...

18 Mar 2020

Panic buying forces British supermarkets to ration food

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s biggest supermarkets, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda, limited purchases of all food products on Wednesday after frantic shoppers stripped shelves to prepare for possible isolation during the coronavirus outbreak. The spread of the virus has ...

18 Mar 2020

UK beef trade has a strong start to 2020

By Felicity Rusk In January, UK exports of fresh and frozen beef recorded strong growth, compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, UK beef imports recorded a decline on the year. Exports UK exports of fresh and frozen beef recorded strong growth in January, totalling 11,300 to...

18 Mar 2020

Deadweight cattle prices hold firm

By Hannah Clarke Overall, prime deadweight cattle prices remained stable in the week ending 14 March. The all-prime price rose by 0.2p on the week to average 335.4p/kg, now down just 0.8p on the same week last year. Heifers recorded a more positive week than steers, with th...

18 Mar 2020

Coronavirus: Farmers who supply Morrisons to receive early payments

Morrisons has announced it will pay farmers earlier than usual as the retailer deals with the impact of coronavirus. Farmers, local foodmakers and small businesses will be paid early to support them amid the spread of the disease. Morrisons said the faster payments will suppor...

18 Mar 2020

Brazil’s JBS, Minerva may suspend operations due to coronavirus supply chain woes

SAO PAULO, March 16 (Reuters) – Brazilian meatpackers JBS and Minerva Foods are considering suspending operations at some slaughterhouses in Brazil due to supply chain issues from China, JBS and sources close to Minerva said on Monday. JBS said it had been monitoring the...

18 Mar 2020

New Zealand food export sector ‘well placed’ to manage coronavirus fallout

A senior rural economist believes the New Zealand dairy industry and wider food sector is in a stronger position than most to weather the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak. Global dairy prices have fallen on the back of the coronavirus outbreak, but the lower NZD/USD mean...

17 Mar 2020

Coronavirus: Melton Mowbray Livestock Market restricts activities

No activity other than Tuesday livestock sales and Friday farmers markets will be allowed at Melton Livestock Market as the operators bid to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Today’s announcement means the Tavern pub will close for an indefinite period, car boot, Sunday m...

17 Mar 2020

2 NI marts to close due to Covid-19 concerns

Two Northern Ireland livestock marts have announced they will shut their gates due to concerns over Covid-19. Saintfield Livestock Market in Co. Down and Armoy Livestock Mart in Co. Antrim made announcements that all sales would be cancelled with immediate effect this evening ...

17 Mar 2020

British Pig & Poultry Fair 2020 cancelled

The British Pig & Poultry Fair 2020 has been cancelled, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said mass gatherings should not take place. Mr Johnson said that while the risk of Coronavirus disease transmission at mass gatherings remained low, the Government was ‘moving emph...

17 Mar 2020

Farmers and vets slam BBC for ‘unbalanced’ Countryfile item

Farmers and vets have criticised the BBC for broadcasting ‘abhorrent’ and ‘unbalanced’ reporting on Countryfile. The programme, aired on Sunday 15 March, scrutinised the Red Tractor food assurance scheme and looked at whether consumers should trust it. ...

16 Mar 2020

China encourages companies to raise pigs overseas

BEIJING (Reuters) – China said on Monday that it is encouraging companies to build pig farms overseas to plug a severe domestic pork shortage after a worse-than-ever African swine fever slashed almost half of its pig herd. China has urged local authorities to support qua...

13 Mar 2020

Coronavirus has limited effect on commodity prices, so far

Coronavirus has had a limited impact on UK agricultural commodity prices. Wheat prices have slipped globally as disruption to the global market increases and the latest prices in the latest Global Dairy Trade auction were down 10 per cent on the last sale of 2019. Deadweight p...

13 Mar 2020

China’s port jam eases, but refrigerated container rates soar

BEIJING, March 13 (Reuters) – Severe congestion at Chinese ports is easing, say officials and industry participants, although a logjam of refrigerated containers has disrupted supplies of fresh and frozen food and pushed up freight rates outside China. Thousands of refri...

13 Mar 2020

China proposes standards on hormone residues in beef after U.S. trade deal

BEIJING, March 12 (Reuters) – China has drawn up food safety standards on residue limits of growth hormones in beef, a move seen as a further step towards opening up its market to American imports of the meat. China has previously had zero tolerance for any residues of g...

13 Mar 2020

Meat processors focused on keeping plants open as coronavirus spreads – BMPA

The meat processing sector will do everything it can to keep plants open as the impact of coronavirus in the UK grows, the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) has said. As the UK braces itself for significant further spread of the COVID-19 virus, with potentially huge ...

13 Mar 2020

Welsh Bros Foods: Newport firm closes with 29 jobs lost

A meat company in Newport has gone into administration with 29 jobs lost. Welsh Bros Foods has supplied restaurants and hotels across south Wales and the South West since 1964. The firm called in administrators Grant Thornton UK on 2 March following a fall in turnover over the...

12 Mar 2020

Liveweight sheep price up again

In the week ending 11 March, the GB OSL liveweight SQQ continued its upward trend from the week before, rising by just over 4p to average 242.8p/kg. Throughput stood at 111,700 head, up 4,800 head on the week. Trade is reportedly brisk at the moment, with well-presented lambs ...

12 Mar 2020

Coronavirus: NZ lamb being diverted to Middle East not Europe

There were concerns that New Zealand sheep meat originally destined for China might be diverted towards Europe due to the on-going coronavirus situation in China. However, reports from New Zealand have confirmed that so far at least, the diverted product has mainly he...

12 Mar 2020

Cheap pork imports ‘a serious risk’ to UK food

Import tariffs on non-EU pork and a free trade agreement with Europe are vital to uphold food standards post-Brexit, the National Pig Association (NPA) has warned. The tariffs are in place to ensure that imported pigmeat, produced at low cost using banned drugs or inhumane sys...

11 Mar 2020

Germany and Middle East Lead the Way as Lamb Exports Surge

Germany and the Middle East continue to be key markets for British lamb as new figures show sheepmeat exports surged last year. Exports jumped 7.1% by value and 12.6% by volume compared to the previous year despite a lower than usual volume of trade in December. The publicatio...

11 Mar 2020

Nicholas Saphir appointed new AHDB chairman

The Government has appointed Nicholas Saphir as the new Chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) with effect from 1 April 2020 for a three-year term. Mr Saphir will take over the role with AHDB from Sir Peter Kendall who completes his second term in o...

11 Mar 2020

Pig prices post a modest increase

by Bethan Wilkins The SPP rose a little in the latest week ended 7 March, with the EU-spec price reaching 163.05p/kg. Prices do generally start to show a seasonal rise at this time of year. Although so far this year, prices have not followed usual seasonal trends, remai...

11 Mar 2020

Small increase to GB cattle prices

By Jennie Tanner In the week ending 7 March, the all prime cattle price rose slightly, up by 0.1p on the week to average 335.2p/kg. The latest price is now 4.2p less than the same week last year, and 9.6p below the five-year average, the gap between the two closing further. O...

11 Mar 2020

China to auction 20,000 tonnes of frozen pork from state reserves

BEIJING, March 11 (Reuters) – China will auction another 20,000 tonnes of frozen pork from its state reserves on March 13, a notice from the China Merchandise Reserve Management Center said on Wednesday. Beijing has released hundreds of thousands of tonnes of pork since ...

11 Mar 2020

Coronavirus can’t shackle Australia’s runaway lamb prices

Lamb prices in Australia have continued to creep higher despite the coronavirus panic ratcheting up a few more notches around the world. Market pundits are wondering when this golden run will end but coronavirus doesn’t seem to be weighing on the export market – fo...

11 Mar 2020

AHDB succeeds in challenging misinformation

Claims by Quorn and the BBC on the environmental impact of red meat in the UK have been successfully challenged by AHDB. Quorn had claimed ‘carbon emissions from livestock are greater than those of all global transport’, and the BBC had claimed that ‘cutting meat is t...

10 Mar 2020

‘Business as usual’ for now for British Pig & Poultry Fair amid coronavirus concerns

The organisers of the British Pig & Poultry Fair have stressed that it is ‘business as usual’ for now amid fears the event might not be able to go ahead in May due to concern over the spread of coronavirus. The Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) and Grandstan...

10 Mar 2020

Assault probe as animal rights activists clash with traders at livestock market

Police are investigating an assault after animal rights activists clashed with traders at a livestock market over the weekend. The Norwich Livestock Market is routinely picketed by animal rights activists and has been for the past few years – protests which largely end u...

10 Mar 2020

French farmers dig in for Brexit game of chicken

PRUILLE-LE-CHETIF, France (Reuters) – French poultry farmer Isabelle Leballeur is fed up with European trade agreements that allow low-cost chicken into France and is determined to stop post-Brexit Britain getting that kind of deal. Along with other farmers, she is press...

10 Mar 2020

Vietnam imports 66,000 tonnes of meat in two months

Vietnam imported nearly 66,000 tonnes of meat in the first two months of this year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Of which, pork imports reached 13,816 tonnes, an increase of 150 per cent over the same period of 2019. The largest pork import v...

10 Mar 2020

British beef exports edge closer to US market

Beef from the UK could soon be heading to America after government officials agreed the next step of an export deal worth around £66 million over the first five years. The US has today agreed equivalence of standards on the UK’s disease control measures following a three-we...

10 Mar 2020

China inflation slips but stays high on virus, food worries

The soaring price of pork and other food kept Chinese consumer inflation close to eight-year highs in February, official data showed today, as authorities battled the coronavirus outbreak. Analysts said the figure would likely remain elevated for some time as measures put in...

09 Mar 2020

Russian poultry exports to China caught in logistics jam

Russian poultry exporters are suffering losses because of overstocking at Chinese ports on the back of the continuing Covid-19 coronavirus epidemic in the country, Russian newspaper Agroinvestor reported. Russia exported 62,600 tonnes of poultry to China, representing $ 143....

09 Mar 2020

Costa Rica the 1st in Central America to ship pork to China

Costa Rica is the 1st Central America country that has been allowed to export pig meat to China. Last February, a shipment left Puerto Caldera with a delivery of 24 tonnes of pork products destined for Shenzhen, Guandong province, China. The 1st shipment includes ribs, bacon,...

08 Mar 2020

‪Australian Meat processors battling to make money due to record livestock prices‬

Record livestock prices are forcing some abattoirs in New South Wales to cancel shifts or shut down operations in the short term. JBS shut down its plant in Scone last Friday due to a shortage of livestock while Southern Meats in Goulburn has shut down its plant this week. The...

08 Mar 2020

U.S. says it will ban pig shipments if fatal hog virus is detected

CHICAGO (Reuters) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Friday it will prohibit shipments of all pigs for at least three days if the nation ever finds a case of a fatal hog disease that has ravaged China’s herd. The federal government is preparing to contain and...

07 Mar 2020

Council terminates lease with Newark Livestock Mart after rent dispute

A Nottinghamshire council is terminating its lease with Newark Livestock Market due to ‘substantial and longstanding’ rent arrears. The cattle and sheep market, located off Great North Road, is set to close after Newark and Sherwood District Council ended its contr...

06 Mar 2020

A scathing judgment on animal rights extremists

06 Mar 2020 by Tim Bonner There was a strange criminal case reported in the Telegraph last weekend which exposed both the workings of the animal rights movement and two of its most unpleasant activists. The prosecution involved an abattoir in Kent which had been broken into b...

06 Mar 2020

India poultry industry hit by false virus claims

India’s poultry industry is reeling after sales fell nearly 80 percent over false claims that chickens were carriers of the new coronavirus and could pass it to humans, officials said Friday. Messages warning people to stop eating chicken because of the contagion have be...

05 Mar 2020

China’s scramble for piglets inflates prices

With obscene profits to be made, China’s swine farmers are scrambling to buy scarce piglets, driving their prices to crazy-high levels. Soaring piglet prices are the most obvious indicator of a ballooning cost structure that is likely to lock in ever-higher Chinese meat ...

04 Mar 2020

Further UK pork price rises under threat from China and Russia

UK pig producers are being warned further price increases are under threat from the impact of coronavirus on Chinese demand and rising Russian production. Deadweight standard pig prices are currently tracking at about 162p/kg – 25p/kg higher than both the same week last year...

04 Mar 2020

China’s Pork Hunger Stays Strong With More Dining at Home

(Bloomberg) — China’s demand for its staple meat, pork, is staying strong despite fears that the coronavirus outbreak would hurt consumption. Shipments from Brazil, a key Chinese supplier, more than doubled in February from a year earlier, according to figures from the...

04 Mar 2020

Germany and Middle East Lead the Way as Lamb Exports Surge

Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) has welcomed the publication of full-year export statistics for 2019 by HMRC, which showed that sheepmeat exports jumped 7.1% by value and 12.6% by volume compared to the previous year despite a lower than usual volume of tr...

04 Mar 2020

Sheep group slams Treasury adviser’s ‘alarming’ farming remarks

The National Sheep Association said any move to abandon the UK farming industry is ‘almost too ridiculous to believe’ Senior government adviser Dr Tim Leunig’s recent controversial remarks are ‘alarming and concerning’, the National Sheep Associat...

04 Mar 2020

642 jobs at risk as Tulip’s Tipton plant faces closure

Tulip is considering closing its Tipton plant in the West Midlands, putting 642 jobs at risk. The UK’s biggest pork processor has announced it will be entering into collective consultation with employee representatives over the future of the fresh pork manufacturing site. As...

04 Mar 2020

Undercover footage of abattoir ruled inadmissible over integrity concerns

Footage filmed undercover at an abattoir by Animal Aid activists which appeared to show sheep being mistreated has been ruled inadmissible by a court judge. Forge Farm Meats, Tunbridge Wells, Kent was facing 14 charges for breaking animal welfare rules but the case has been dr...

03 Mar 2020

People who feed dogs and cats a vegan diet could be killing their pets

An animal expert has warned that pet owners who inflict their vegan views on their dogs and cats could be putting them at risk of fatal conditions. TV and radio dog guru, Anna Webb, has issued the stark warning, after some pet food brands released vegan ranges claiming that it...

03 Mar 2020

British Poultry Awards 2020 – Now open for entries

The fourth British Poultry Awards is now open! The British Poultry Council is inviting retailers, foodservice operators, farmers, producers and industry suppliers to take part and showcase the very best of British poultry across the whole industry. The prestigious awards cerem...

03 Mar 2020

Menu that sparked the legend of knighting joint of beef ‘sirloin’ goes up for auction

A 400-year-old menu that sparked the legend King James I invented “sirloin” after knighting a joint of beef at Hoghton Tower has gone up for auction. King James I and his royal party made a return journey from Scotland to London in August 1617. On their journey they stopp...

03 Mar 2020

Euro Garages brothers consider bid for Asda

BILLIONAIRE Blackburn brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa are understood to be eyeing up a bid for Asda. The Euro Garages founders are said to be among several potential bidders for the 71-year-old UK supermarket giant after US owner Walmart confirmed it was in talks to sell its ...

03 Mar 2020

Slower-growing chickens have improved meat quality, study says

Producing meat from slower-growing chickens could significantly reduce mortality and improve meat quality, new research suggests. The study compared the health, welfare and production characteristics of the three fastest-growing broiler breeds used most extensively worldwide w...

03 Mar 2020

Impossible Foods cuts prices of plant-based meat to distributors

(Reuters) – Impossible Foods on Tuesday announced an average of 15% cut in vegan product prices to distributors in the United States and asked them to pass it on to restaurants as the plant-based meat maker competes against beef products. The move comes amid increasing d...

03 Mar 2020

Levy boards extend collaborative work

A larger pot of £3.5 million has been committed to ring-fenced fund (RFF) work between levy boards in England, Scotland and Wales in the coming year. For the last two years, AHDB, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) have jointly decided on a collaborati...

02 Mar 2020

China Says African Swine Fever Vaccine Effective in Lab Tests

China has been trying to find a vaccine since outbreak in 2018. The U.S. also said in January is had a promising vaccine. China’s Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, the country’s top research body on animal diseases, said it developed an African swine fever vaccine t...

02 Mar 2020

NZ Exports to China rise strongly in January

Exports to China rose $302 million (31 percent) to $1.3 billion in January 2020 compared with January 2019, led by increases in dairy, meat, and logs, Stats NZ said today. This was the biggest increase in dollar value for any New Zealand export market in January and accounted ...

02 Mar 2020

Farmers criticise proposed beef ban at LSE for ‘knee jerk’ response to climate change

Following a similar but unsuccessful move at Edinburgh University (February 12), LSE has become the latest further education institution to vote for a beef ban. At a Students’ Union meeting (February 21), students voted 243 to 170 in favour of banning beef on campus and the ...

02 Mar 2020

Factory reliability continues to hamper pork production

Factory reliability continued to be the pork supply chain’s Achilles heel last week, with one major losing a whole day due to a Health and Safety issue, according to Thames Valley Cambac. “Gremlins affected other majors leading to hastily arranged Saturday kills, and some ...

02 Mar 2020

NZ Meat export prices hit record high

Export prices for meat, including beef and lamb, rose to their highest-ever level in the December 2019 quarter, boosting overall export prices, Stats NZ said today. “Meat export prices have risen for three quarters in a row, on the back of strong demand towards the end of la...

02 Mar 2020

Argentine meat exporters expect quick recovery of China’s import market

SANTA FE, Argentina, Feb. 29 (Xinhua) — Argentina’s meat exporting sector expects China’s beef imports to bounce back to pre-epidemic levels soon, a representatives of the sector has said. “I think it’s a matter of time. Today, China is at a junct...

28 Feb 2020

New Zealand to release data on China trade amid coronavirus outbreak

WELLINGTON (Reuters) – New Zealand said on Friday that it would release provisional data on its trade with China in the four weeks to Feb. 23, in a special release prompted by heightened interest in the impact on businesses from the coronavirus epidemic. Statistics New Z...

27 Feb 2020

Rumours of Avian Links to Coronavirus Hit Poultry Sales in India

(Bloomberg) — Rumors in India that birds could spread the coronavirus are taking their toll on sales of poultry in the world’s second-most populous nation. The speculation is circulating on social media, according to B.S. Yadav, managing director of Godrej Agrovet Ltd....

27 Feb 2020

Ukraine in world’s top 3 poultry meat suppliers to EU in 2019 – report

Last year, Ukraine increased exports to the EU by 8.6%. In 2019, Ukraine increased poultry meat exports to the European Union by 8.6% on year – up to 134,260 tonnes, becoming one of the world’s top three suppliers to the EU, that’s according to the European Commi...

27 Feb 2020

Liveweight lamb prices choppy, deadweight price strengthens again

Liveweight lamb prices fell slightly in the week ending 26 February. The OSL SQQ price dropped 4p compared to a week earlier to average 234.88p/kg. This is despite continued reports of relatively tight lamb supplies in the market generally. Daily prices throughout the week wer...

27 Feb 2020

Levy boards to share £3.5m funding pot to promote red meat

A larger pot of £3.5 million has been committed to the ring-fenced fund shared between the levy boards in England, Scotland and Wales in the coming year. Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing told the Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) conference in Glasgow this was an extension of t...

27 Feb 2020

New Zealand prepared for ‘serious impact’ on economy from virus – finance minister

WELLINGTON (Reuters) – The coronavirus outbreak could have a serious impact on New Zealand’s economy in the short term, the country’s finance minister said on Thursday, amid new data that showed businesses were feeling more pessimistic about their prospects. Grant Ro...

27 Feb 2020

Shenzhen prepares ban on eating cats and dogs after outbreak

SHENZHEN, China (Reuters) – The southern Chinese technology hub of Shenzhen is moving to outlaw the consumption of dogs and cats as the country clamps down on the wildlife trade that scientists suspect led to the coronavirus outbreak. The proposed regulations from the ci...

27 Feb 2020

Brazil beef firms face reduced Chinese demand due to coronavirus

SAO PAULO, Feb 27 (Reuters) – China’s beef imports will fall in the first half of 2020 due to fallout from the coronavirus outbreak, which is complicating the circulation of people and trade globally, Rabobank said in a report released on Thursday. The situation may re...

27 Feb 2020

China releases 20,000 tonnes of pork from state reserves

China on Thursday released 20,000 tonnes of pork from its central reserves in a bid to increase supply and stabilize market expectations, according to the Ministry of Commerce (MOC). The release was jointly arranged by the MOC and other authorities including the National Devel...

27 Feb 2020

Mixed messages on menu at Meat the Future event

Scotland’s beef, lamb and pork producers and processors were challenged yesterday to rethink the future trajectory of the red meat business by focusing on exports and embracing the opportunities offered by climate change. However, after a full day of sometimes mixed messages...

27 Feb 2020

Kenya bans slaughter of donkeys as China demand soars

Kenya’s agriculture minister has banned the slaughter of donkeys and ordered the closure of all donkey abattoirs in the country. Peter Munya gave the owners of the Kenya’s four donkey abattoirs a month to transition to slaughtering other livestock such as cattle and goats....

27 Feb 2020

GB pig prices for week ending February 22, 2020

The EU-spec SPP stayed relatively stable in the week ending 22 February, down 0.05p on the week to average 162.73p/kg. More pigs weighing over 100kg came forward than last week, while the price paid for these pigs fell, weighing on the overall price. The price for pigs weighin...

27 Feb 2020

Russia increases pork exports for second year running

Following a year of growing pig meat exports, Russia finished 2019 in a net exporter position for the second consecutive year. Compared to the previous year, its position has strengthened considerably, up from +8,900 tonnes in 2018 to +27,500 tonnes 2019. Russian exports of p...

27 Feb 2020

How coronavirus is impacting the global markets

Coronavirus is currently a global talking point, although reliable data is hard to come by in terms of its impact on agriculture. Trade data will show us the impact for product going into China, but information on trade is always a few months behind, so it will be a while befo...

26 Feb 2020

“Plant-based foods cannot replace meat”

Professor Louise Fresco, president of the executive board of Wageningen University, says meat must be part of future diets. Delivering her speech as keynote speaker at this year’s City Food Lecture, in London, Fresco warned that despite real environmental concerns, animals w...

26 Feb 2020

AHDB targets Canadian hospitality sector

Quality beef, lamb and pork from the UK will be in the spotlight when AHDB exhibits at the Restaurants Canada Show this weekend. Five exporters will join AHDB on the stand at Canada’s largest foodservice and hospitality event, which starts in Toronto on Sunday. It is the fir...

26 Feb 2020

Government launches new EHC Online system

The way that you submit an application for an Export Health Certificate (EHC) is changing. The government have launched a new EHC Online system to speed up the certification process. The new service is called EHC Online. Export Health Certificate Online allows exporters and ce...

25 Feb 2020

‘Attacks on red meat are making livestock farmers feel worthless’ – NFU president

Activism and misinformation about agriculture reported by the media is ‘number one’ on farmers’ lists of concerns and is contributing to mental health issues. Using her podium at the NFU Conference to highlight the vitriol directed at farmers, union president Minette Bat...

25 Feb 2020

ASF: ARE THERE TRADING OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND CHINA?

Besides China, African swine fever (ASF) is now affecting several other key pig meat trading countries. These include Vietnam, the Philippines and South Korea. We explore the supply and demand impact on these countries and what it might mean for global trade. Vietnam For the f...

25 Feb 2020

Coronavirus an ‘ongoing issue’ for export trade

Coronavirus is an ongoing issue that continues to hamper the pork export trade, according to the latest pig marketing summary from Thames Valley Cambac. It says the problem looks set to continue for the short-term, with the export trade stalling due to the number of people af...

25 Feb 2020

China further eases U.S. beef and beef product import curbs

BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s customs office said on Monday it had conditionally lifted a ban on beef and beef products from U.S. cows more than 30 months old, following Beijing’s pledge to increase farm purchases from the United States under their Phase 1 trade deal. ...

25 Feb 2020

Incoming chairman of agricultural group hits back at “farmer bashing”

The newly elected chairman of a branch of the National Sheep Association has highlighted the group’s emphasis on cutting food waste rather than “farmer bashing”. Kate Hovers, Brecon vet and sheep farmer, set the tone for the AGM of the National Sheep Associat...

25 Feb 2020

UK pork exports to Mexico move closer

Ambitions for Mexico to gain access to UK pork has moved a step closer after a recent delegation to inspect facilities was described as ‘positive’. The delegation of Mexican officials spent two weeks visiting abattoirs and processors to learn more about the UK’s ...

25 Feb 2020

Harper Adams University has a beef with the latest trends on meat

The university, in Edgmond near Newport, said it would not be banning beef from its campus menus, despite new messages from Hollywood celebrities and activists. Beef has become the latest food to be questioned because of its impact on the environment and the way it is farmed. ...

23 Feb 2020

China bans some Europe poultry imports on bird flu outbreaks – customs

SHANGHAI, Feb 21 (Reuters) – China said it would ban imports of poultry and poultry products from Slovenia, Hungary, Germany and Ukraine due to bird flu outbreaks, according to a customs statement. China has reported bird flu cases in its Sichuan, Hunan and Xinjiang prov...

23 Feb 2020

Why it’s hard to find a Burger King in Australia

Companies often change valuable brand names when expanding to other countries. Sometimes the reason is a language issue. But other times, the reasons are far more interesting. When Burger King was founded in 1954, it was originally called Insta-Burger King and grew quickly th...

23 Feb 2020

Pork shortage saving NZ meat industry

NZ Meat industry strong in face of coronavirus outbreak. A shortage of pork in China means New Zealand’s meat industry won’t be hit too hard by the coronavirus outbreak, Meat Industry Association CEO Tim Ritchie said. “It’s not a time to panic, but it&#...

23 Feb 2020

ASF Greece: No further cases reported so far

The outbreak of African Swine Fever on a small backyard farm in Greece for now appears to have been an isolated case. .Additional research has not demonstrated a spread. Immediately after the discovery of the outbreak on February 3, protective measures were put in place. The f...

23 Feb 2020

Brazil’s BRF says meat shipments to China normal despite port woes

SAO PAULO, Feb 22 (Reuters) – Brazilian food processor BRF SA has not stopped shipping meat products to China even amid congestion at some of that nation’s ports related to the new coronavirus outbreak, the company said late on Friday, answering a query from Reuters. B...

23 Feb 2020

Brazil says U.S. will allow fresh Brazilian beef imports

SAO PAULO/BRASILIA, Feb 21 (Reuters) – Brazilian Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina Dias said on Friday that the United States had reopened its market for Brazilian fresh beef exports, effective immediately. The United States had halted imports of Brazilian fresh beef ...

23 Feb 2020

China considering more action to boost consumption -commerce ministry

BEIJING, Feb 20 (Reuters) – The coronavirus outbreak has had a “relatively big impact” on China’s consumption levels, and the government will study rolling out more support measures, including boosting auto sales, the commerce ministry has said. Consumption will be...

23 Feb 2020

China’s chicken chain comes unstuck amid chaos of virus measures

BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s chicken farmers had been looking forward to a bumper year. But an unprecedented lockdown on people and goods to curb the coronavirus outbreak has disrupted the short but intense poultry lifecycle, threatening output of meat just as the world...

23 Feb 2020

Livestock industry braces itself for possible policy changes

Possible changes to cross-border livestock movements and import tarrifs, are being closely monitored as government consultations wind up in the next few weeks. Chris Dodds, chairman of the UK Livestock Brexit Group, which is helping advise Defra, said he was waiting for the ...

23 Feb 2020

Farm groups express fury at Government plans to accept US food safety standards

Farm groups have expressed their fury after reports suggested the Government is preparing to break away from EU food safety rules at an upcoming World Trade Organisation (WTO) summit. According to City AM, Julian Braithwaite, the UK’s permanent representative to the WTO, is...

22 Feb 2020

Abattoir workers to be classed as ‘skilled’ in new points based immigration system

Within two days of the UK Government announcing its plans to control migration it has had to quickly row back on its proposals by allowing a new range of jobs to be classified as skilled. This follows a furore, particularly in Scotland, over the potential loss of key wo...

21 Feb 2020

Lab-grown meat? Dutch start-up keeps pork on your plate

ROME (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – A Dutch start-up may have found a workaround for eco-conscious consumers struggling to give up meat: pork grown in a laboratory that doesn’t harm animals or damage the planet. Meatable will this summer unveil its first pork prototype...

21 Feb 2020

Drop off in December trade can’t dampen strong year for UK beef exports

In December, UK imports of fresh and frozen beef continued to record declines compared to the previous year. However, this drop was considerably smaller than seen over most of this year. Exports also recorded a decline, a contrast to the trend seen throughout most of th...

21 Feb 2020

Meat company faces heat over ‘cattle laundering’ in Amazon supply chain

The world’s biggest meat company has frequently been accused of links to deforestation. Now JBS is facing growing pressure from Brazilian politicians and environmentalists to address the information gaps and transparency failings in its supply chain. Critics say these defi...

21 Feb 2020

Scientists map entire African swine fever virus genome

Scientists have mapped genes across the African swine fever virus (ASFV) genome, which they believe could help in the search for a vaccine and antiviral drugs to prevent the devastating disease. Researchers from the Pirbright Institute worked with UCL to map the expression ...

21 Feb 2020

Slaughterhouse protest: Eleven people charged

Eleven people have been charged over an animal rights protest which brought a meat-processing plant to a standstill. Greater Manchester Police was called to the Tulip factory in Ashton-under-Lyne at about 03:30 GMT on Thursday. The 11 men and women will appear before Tameside ...

21 Feb 2020

Price cuts on overweight carcasses

Farmers are being advised to book cattle in advance and ensure they “shop around” for the best deal. The decline in farmgate beef prices is putting the agricultural industry, which is a “major contributor” to the Northern Ireland (NI) economy, at risk, ...

21 Feb 2020

Arrests after activists bring slaughterhouse to standstill

A meat-processing plant has been brought to a standstill by animal liberation protesters. Activists blocked the entrance to the Tulip factory in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, in protest at the slaughter of pigs at the site. Smash Speciesism is urging the company to ch...

21 Feb 2020

China’s coronavirus clampdown pushes pork prices toward record

BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s pork prices are hovering near last year’s record after measures to battle a coronavirus epidemic hit transport of pigs and delayed the restart of slaughtering plants, crimping already tight supplies of the meat. The virus epidemic, which h...

21 Feb 2020

Deadweight lamb prices leap up again

The GB OSL liveweight SQQ remained relatively steady in the week ending 19 February. Prices averaged 238.94p/kg, just 0.02p more than in the previous week. Nevertheless, prices remain almost 50p above the same week last year. Prices reached a peak on Tuesday, averaging 243.51p...

21 Feb 2020

Faux-meat branding is misleading consumers says National Beef Association

The National Beef Association (NBA) is asking for clearer labelling to further educate consumers on traceability and nutritional values. “During the month of January alone, we have seen the arrival of many new ‘no-meat’ product ranges, with misleading labelling and littl...

21 Feb 2020

One of the best years on record for red meat exports

Red meat exports from the UK rocketed to more than £1.5 billion last year – making 2019 one of the strongest years on record, with Asia being key to the success. According to HMRC, the total value of red meat exports rose 13 per cent year-on-year, with more than 661,...

20 Feb 2020

Beef Trade: What are the Irish factories quoting this week?

Last week’s beef kill hit over 39,000. Last week’s beef kill rose to 39,044, according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s database. Breakdown: Young bulls: 4,570; Bulls: 560; Steers: 12,790; Cows: 7,002; Heifers: 11,701. Total (including ...

20 Feb 2020

Russia Bans Imports of Chinese Meat Products

Russian authorities have banned imports of animal products from China to Russia today, as well as Chinese national visits to the country, Izvestia newspaper reported. According to the publication, it is no longer possible for travellers to import meat products from Chin...

20 Feb 2020

Namibia first African country to export red meat to U.S. market

WINDHOEK (Reuters) – Namibia became the first African country to export red meat to the United States after it sent 25 tonnes of beef to Philadelphia, following two decades of haggling over safety regulations and logistics. The arid southern African nation, known for fre...

20 Feb 2020

Updated Pig Welfare Code to come into force on March 1

The new Code of Practice for the Welfare of Pigs in England will come into force on March 1. The draft Code was published in September 2019, but has had to go through a parliamentary process, which was delayed by the election, before it becomes law. This has now been completed...

20 Feb 2020

19 workers in breach of immigration or permit legislation at Irish meat processing firm

Nineteen people were discovered to be in contravention of immigration or permit legislation at a Meath meat processing facility last week. Four people have been arrested and bailed to appear at Swords and Balbriggan District Courts. Gardaí attached to the Garda National Immig...

20 Feb 2020

New immigration rules set to lower farmgate prices and increase production costs

Farmers are set to be hit with a double whammy of lower farmgate prices and higher costs of production as a result of the Government’s proposed immigration rules. Under the new points-based system, anyone wanting to work in the UK would need a job offer with a salary of at l...

20 Feb 2020

GB cattle prices weather storm

In direct contrast to the weather, last week was uneventful for cattle prices. In the week ending 15 February the GB deadweight all prime average remained unchanged at £3.33/kg. Although steer prices for carcases meeting the R4L specification rose by 0.4p on the week, overall...

20 Feb 2020

Coronavirus fears force China into mass chicken cull

China is to begin importing live chickens from the US as feed shortages due to the coronavirus force poultry farms in the world’s second-biggest economy to start culling millions of young birds, reported the Financial Times. The culling of poultry follows the mass slaughter...

20 Feb 2020

NZ – Heat and coronavirus putting pressure on meat industry

Meat processor Silver Fern Farms says trade disruptions in China, combined with dry conditions across New Zealand, have created a perfect storm for the sector. The shortage of pasture here due to hot weather means more farmers are wanting send stock to the works – but wi...

20 Feb 2020

Taiwan bans Italian pork to prevent African swine fever

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) announced Wednesday (Feb. 19) that live pigs and pork products from Italy will no longer be permitted into the country. The bureau said that the decision was made after...

20 Feb 2020

Hormel joins Tyson Foods, JBS in removing drug banned by China from hog supply

CHICAGO, Feb 18 (Reuters) – Spam-maker Hormel Foods Corp is eliminating a growth drug banned by China from its hog supply, the company said on Tuesday, joining rivals that are seeking to increase meat sales to Chinese buyers grappling with a pork shortage. Hormel will no...

19 Feb 2020

Reaction to Britain’s new immigration rules

LONDON (Reuters) – The British government has outlined a new immigration system to manage the flow of workers into the country and replace existing rules from Jan. 1 2021, when Britain will no longer be subject to European Union regulations. Here is some reaction to it. ...

19 Feb 2020

Uncertainty still overshadows beef market but consumption remains steady

There had been some optimism among beef producers that the turning of the year would bring better prices. Auction values had edged upwards from October onwards, but since January have slipped to around 2 per cent less than they were a year ago. In the week ending 8 February st...

19 Feb 2020

Kepak meat plant closure not a result of protests – Beef Plan rep

Last years beef protests were not behind the closure of a Clare meat factory, Clare Beef Plan representative, Joe Woulfe has said. Kepak staff were told on last week that the plant would close for four to six weeks, due to “challenging market conditions. The plant had be...

19 Feb 2020

South Korea pork imports down 8% year on year

Pork imports in South Korea have seen an 8% decline on the previous year, possibly as a result of consumer concerns over African Swine Flu, according to AHDB analysis. Korea Customs data shows that the East Asian country imported 525,000 tonnes of fresh and frozen pork in 2019...

19 Feb 2020

EU red tape strangling UK sausage prospects, say producers

LONDON, Feb 18 (Reuters) – British producers will not be able to export processed meat like sausages and burgers to Europe after Brexit unless they get a specific European Union health certificate which currently does not exist, the British Meat Processors Association (B...

19 Feb 2020

Thousands of Frozen Meat Containers Pile Up at Chinese Ports

(Bloomberg) — Thousands of containers of frozen pork, chicken and beef are piling up at some major Chinese ports as transport disruptions and labor shortages slow operations, people familiar with the matter said. Deliveries are mounting at ports including Tianjin, Shangh...

19 Feb 2020

Argentina’s beef exports to China stumble due to coronavirus

South American meat exporters are seeing a sharp slowdown in trade with the Asian nation as the coronavirus disrupts shipments. One industry leader says exports have almost ground to a halt. South American meat exporters, among the biggest beneficiaries of a pig-killing diseas...

19 Feb 2020

Will Cultured Meat Soon Be A Common Sight In Supermarkets Across The Globe?

Up until now, plant-based food companies like Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods, and Quorn have almost singlehandedly worked to lessen the impacts of industrial animal agriculture. Supermarket shelves and fast food restaurants across the US are serving up vegan burgers and meatb...

16 Feb 2020

China increases US farm imports, dismissing concerns over meeting goals of phase one trade deal

China on Saturday moved again to pave the way to increase purchases of agricultural products from the US by lifting a ban on poultry products, as concerns over the implementation of the phase one trade agreement deepen due to the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus in China. ...

16 Feb 2020

Arm farmers with facts to fight fake news

Farming can help the debate about livestock and the environment become less polarised by explaining how complex and different farming systems are, and what the industry is doing to address climate change. That was the underlying thinking behind an NFU seminar about livestock...

16 Feb 2020

Prime cattle prices continue upwards

In the week ending 8 February, the GB all prime average price rose by 1.4p to settle at 333.3p/kg. Steer prices for R4L beasts rose by 2.4p on the week, helping raise the overall steer price by 0.8p to 333.5p/kg. The overall heifer price rose by 1.6p on the week to average 335...

16 Feb 2020

Heavier carcase weights support UK beef production in January

In January 2020, UK slaughter of prime cattle totalled 170,200 head, only marginally less (-500 head) than the same month in the previous year, according to the latest data from Defra. A decrease in prime slaughter was recorded in England and Wales. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland...

16 Feb 2020

GB deadweight price leaps up early in the season on tight supply

The GB OSL liveweight SQQ lamb price continued its upward trajectory in the week ended 12 February, up 8.1p to 238.9p/kg. Throughput was also up again, rising 1% to 104,400 head possibly taking advantage of the current good prices. Cull ewe throughput dropped 4,800 head this w...

16 Feb 2020

Sheep meat production steady in January

UK sheep meat production for January stood at 24,200 tonnes, unchanged from the previous year according to data released by Defra. 1.04 million clean sheep were killed in January, 1% higher than the previous year but adult sheep throughput was down 10% to 127,500 head. Carcase...

16 Feb 2020

Young hill farmer fronts Welsh beef and lamb campaign

Young farmer Caryl Hughes is the face of a new £250,000 campaign promoting Welsh beef and lamb. North Wales hill farmer Ms Hughes is fronting the Hybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotion Wales) campaign in response to recent criticism of the impact of agriculture on climate change. Adv...

16 Feb 2020

China lifts import ban on US poultry, related products

China announced Friday that it would lift restrictions on the import of poultry and related products from the United States, according to a statement jointly released by the General Administration of Customs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Based on risk asse...

16 Feb 2020

League of Gentlemen butchers closes after 100 years

It has been a local shop for generations of local people, but a butchers based in the town used by a legendary TV comedy is closing. J W Mettrick & Son has been a fixture in Hadfield – the town that doubled up as Royston Vasey in The League of Gentlemen – for m...

16 Feb 2020

Welsh butchers prepare for World championships in California

A team of talented Welsh butchers is stepping up training in preparation for the World Butchers’ Challenge in the United States later this year. Craft Butchery Team Wales will make their debut at the biennial competition, which will be contested by 16 countries from around t...

16 Feb 2020

China releases 14,000 tonnes of pork from state reserves

China on Friday released 14,000 tonnes of pork from its central reserves in a bid to ensure market supply amid efforts to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak, according to the Ministry of Commerce. This was the sixth time that the country tapped into its pork reserves this ye...

16 Feb 2020

EU lifting ban on import of chicken meat from Ukraine

The European Union lifted the ban on the import of poultry meat from Ukraine, supporting the decision on zoning the case of bird flu. The Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture Taras Kachka wrote about this on his page on Facebook. “We look forward t...

16 Feb 2020

Meat inspection petition with 216,000 signatures given to FSA

A union in the United Kingdom has submitted a petition on meat inspections, signed by more than 216,000 people, to the Food Standards Agency. Steve Nash, a consumer advisor on E. coli O157, Unison national officer Paul Bell, and Sean Humber, a lawyer at Leigh Day, delivered th...

16 Feb 2020

Darlington’s new auction mart celebrates opening with Beef Expo

TWO cattle competitions will take place at this year’s Beef Expo 2020 held near Darlington. For the first time the Burke Beef Trophy will be awarded to the best commercial pair. The award is widely seen as the pinnacle of UK cattle breeding and will be awarded to commerc...

15 Feb 2020

Coronavirus reroutes U.S. chicken shipments bound for China

CHICAGO, Feb 13 (Reuters) – Ships carrying refrigerated cargo containers of chicken from the United States to China are being diverted to ports in Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to a U.S. poultry export trade group. ...

15 Feb 2020

Global lamb shortage helps UK prices rise £14 a head in 2020

Rocketing prime lamb prices suggest that the amount retailers are able to import is sharply down on last year, amid a global shortage of the meat. Some processors began offering deadweight prices in excess of 500p/kg this week, while the AHDB said the UK average SQQ liveweight...

13 Feb 2020

Kepak site to close amidst ‘challenging market conditions’

Kepak has issued a statement outlining it “regrets to announce that it will temporarily suspend operations” at its Co. Clare beef processing site. The statement from the meat processor explained: “Against a backdrop of challenging market conditions for the beef industry ...

13 Feb 2020

“German pork exports remain possible in case of ASF”

Germany has engaged in talks with China, to make sure exports of pork and pigmeat will remain possible in case African Swine Fever would be found in wild boar in Germany. At the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, there have been talks with a Chinese delegation i...

13 Feb 2020

Edinburgh University students vote against beef ban on campus

Thousands of students at Edinburgh University have voted to reject proposals to ban beef in all student run catering outlets. The result comes after a motion to cease the sale of all beef products in Students’ Association cafes and restaurants was debated on January 30. The ...

13 Feb 2020

Farming Minister George Eustice promoted to top job at Defra after Villiers sacked

Long-serving Farming Minister George Eustice has been promoted to Defra Secretary after his former boss, Theresa Villiers, was given the sack. Mr Eustice’s appointment will provide some continuity for the department as it seeks to implement the radical changes proposed in th...

13 Feb 2020

Mad cow fright keeps EU cautious on food rules

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The specter of the 1990s BSE crisis means the European Union is likely to reject U.S. demands it ease strict food safety rules, even with President Donald Trump threatening car tariffs if EU countries do not start importing more U.S. farm products. W...

13 Feb 2020

EU pig prices slump as coronavirus slows China import demand

EU pig prices are continuing to fall and as import demand from China cools, due in part to the coronavirus crisis gripping the country. In the four weeks ending February 2, EU pig prices fell by over €10 (approx £8.40) to average €182.54/100kg (approx 153p/kg). AHDB analy...

13 Feb 2020

Pair guilty over illegal slaughterhouse and ‘smokies’

PEMBROKE Dock horror farm smallholder, Sean Ronald Burns, of Bramble Hall Farm, and an associate have been found guilty of charges relating to operating an illegal slaughterhouse on the edge of the town. A jury at Swansea Crown Court returned guilty verdicts on Burns and John...

12 Feb 2020

How would an ASF outbreak in Germany affect the EU pork market?

If African swine fever (ASF) crosses the border from Poland to reach German wild boar, the German export market of approximately 500,000 tonnes of pork would be at risk. EU prices could drop by 20-40%, although, according to a new AHDB report, the consequences of an outbreak f...

11 Feb 2020

Factory unreliability and coronavirus impact as SPP creeps up

Factory unreliability and uncertainty over the coronavirus outbreak are both affecting the pork market, according to Thames Valley Cambac’s latest pig marketing summary. A ‘not unsubstantial’ number of pigs had to be rolled into this trading week, as factory unreliabi...

11 Feb 2020

Anger over plans to demolish independent Oldham abattoir for housing

Plans to demolish a leading independent abattoir in the north of England have been met with resistance in the farming community. Owners of the site of Cowlishaw Abattoir in Royton, Oldham, which also includes several acres of agricultural land, have offered the plot to local p...

11 Feb 2020

AHDB clashes with BBC over ‘eat less meat’ claim

The AHDB has sent a letter to the BBC criticising its claim that the ‘the single biggest way’ to fight climate change is to eat less meat. AHDB’s chief executive Jane King sent the letter regarding the BBC News article ‘Climate change: Where we are in s...

11 Feb 2020

Tulip’s Bodmin site to remain open, as more than 100 jobs go

Tulip has confirmed that its site in Bodmin will remain open, although a total of 124 jobs have been lost as part of the recovery plan. In October, Tulip began a consultation on closing its ‘unsustainable’ Bodmin site, which it said would put the 270 jobs there at risk. ...

11 Feb 2020

Cranswick continues expansion with acquisition of Buckle pig business

Cranswick has continued its recent expansion, with the acquisition of the Buckle family’s pig farming and rearing operations, in Yorkshire. The deal includes the family’s 50% share of the White Rose Farms Limited pig production joint venture set up by Cranswick and the Buc...

11 Feb 2020

China’s coronavirus clampdown pushes pork prices toward record

11 Feb 2020

China coronavirus putting more pressure on pork supplies and prices

BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China’s coronavirus outbreak has delayed the launch of new pig breeding facilities and put even more pressure on pork supplies and prices, an official with the agriculture ministry told a briefing on Sunday. Kong Liang, deputy director at t...

10 Feb 2020

Appeal after sheep theft from Dorset field

Police are appealing for information after a flock of sheep was stolen from a field near Powerstock, Bridport. A total of 28 ewes were taken, according to officers from Dorset Police Rural Crime Team, who said the theft occurred some time between 7.30am on Thursday February 6...

10 Feb 2020

Swine fever spreading in Philippines

MANILA • The Philippines confirmed yesterday that African swine fever infections had spread in the south of the country, which accounts for nearly a third of the nation’s 12.8 million pig herd. Additional cases have also been identified in some northern provinces, said...

10 Feb 2020

Aldi commits to stocking new range of PGI Welsh Beef

Discount retailer Aldi has says it will stock a new range of PGI Welsh Beef products across more than 50 of its stores. Thirteen products, including roasting joints, diced beef, and fillet, ribeye and sirloin steaks, will be available across Wales from 12 February. The Farme...

08 Feb 2020

How coronavirus, ASF and the Chinese New Year are affecting the pig market in China

China’s coronavirus outbreak has had a limited impact on pork trade so far, but could create challenges in the market in future, according to AHDB analyst Bethan Wilkins. The outbreak has coincided with the Chinese New Year holiday period, which is already a quiet period for...

08 Feb 2020

Coronavirus hits Australian meat exporter

Australia’s largest meat-processing cooperative has been caught up in the coronavirus outbreak in China. The Northern Cooperative Meat Company (NCMC) in Casino in northern New South Wales has product stuck on the docks in China waiting for Chinese government and business...

08 Feb 2020

Meat and two veg revealed to be most popular meal among adults in Ireland

VEGANISM MIGHT be in vogue but, when it comes to cooking the evening meal, old habits die hard in Ireland. Figures produced by Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, revealed the classic “meat and two veg” was the number one evening meal type eaten by adults in 2019, accounting ...

08 Feb 2020

UK beef farmers call for stronger labelling on packaging

Beef farmers have called for stronger measures to enforce better labelling and branding of products as the UK looks to strike Brexit trade deals. Any beef imports that enter the country as a result of Brexit trade deals must match the production standards of the UK’s, th...

07 Feb 2020

Tyson Foods sells U.S. pork to China, but misses quarterly sales expectations

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Tyson Foods Inc is shipping meat to China and has additional orders on the books as a fatal pig disease has created a pork shortage there, the company said on Thursday as it reported lower-than-expected quarterly sales. Shares fell 3% and hit their lo...

07 Feb 2020

Colombia aims to double meat exports after clearance on foot and mouth disease

BOGOTA, Feb 6 (Reuters) – Colombia will look to double its meat exports now it has regained its status as a country free of foot and mouth disease, President Ivan Duque said. Foot and mouth is a highly contagious viral disease found in animals and is one of the most seri...

07 Feb 2020

Greece reports first case of African swine fever

ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece detected its first case of African swine fever at a breeding farm in the north of the country this week, agriculture ministry officials said on Thursday. African swine fever is harmless to humans but it is highly contagious and deadly in pigs. I...

07 Feb 2020

Coronavirus disrupts China meat imports, food supply during pork shortage

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Coronavirus is disrupting meat shipments to China as the country faces a shortage due to an outbreak of a fatal pig disease, Tyson Foods Inc and U.S. agricultural groups said on Thursday. An outbreak of African swine fever, which infects only pigs, ha...

06 Feb 2020

Mexico sees bigger Chinese demand for its beef on coronavirus concerns

MEXICO CITY, Feb 6 (Reuters) – China’s appetite for Mexican steaks and other cuts of beef is expected to increase more than 40% this year, in part due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus outbreak, according to Mexico’s top cattle association. Chinese buy...

05 Feb 2020

Uproar as students vote to implement beef ban on campus

The University of Edinburgh Students Association is the latest body to join the anti-meat campaign following a bad-tempered meeting where agricultural students were denied a voice before being shown the door. The student body was discussing a motion ‘To cease the sale of all...

05 Feb 2020

Indonesian investigates deaths of hundreds of pigs in Bali

JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesian authorities are investigating the deaths of about 880 pigs on the island of Bali, the director of animal health at the Ministry of Agriculture said on Wednesday, to determine if they died of African swine fever (ASF). The pigs died between ...

05 Feb 2020

Chinese poultry farmers in coronavirus stricken province destroying birds

BEIJING, Feb 4 (Reuters) – Some poultry farmers in the province at the heart of China’s coronavirus outbreak are having to euthanise young birds as new rules to contain the disease have paralysed the transport of feed supply and live animals to slaughterhouses. The ban...

05 Feb 2020

Australian red meat industry shapes up to open doors in UK and EU post Brexit

The Australian red meat industry, under the leadership of the EU/UK Red Meat Market Access Taskforce, is maintaining high ambition for trade reform in both the European Union and the United Kingdom. As with other free trade agreements the Australian Government has negotiated t...

05 Feb 2020

Cancer charity in row with farmers after it launches ‘meat-free March’

Macmillan was forced to stop promoting the month-long fundraiser after widespread anger from the agricultural industry Farmers are in a row with a cancer charity after it asked its supporters to take part in “meat-free March”. Macmillan was forced to stop promoting...

05 Feb 2020

Cutting through the noise of the ‘eat less meat’ agenda

Liam Byrne is AHDB’s head of meat marketing Our third instalment of the £2.5 million ‘changing perceptions of pork’ consumer campaign is working hard to cut through the media noise of ‘eat less meat’ campaigns. The latest Love Pork TV advert is expected to be viewed...

05 Feb 2020

Members of EU Parliament to Discuss ‘Meat Tax’ to Tackle Climate Change

Members of the European Parliament will today be asked to consider a plan to increase the price of meat across the EU to reflect its CO2 costs. The plan is being put forward by the True Animal Protein Price Coalition, (TAPP), a Netherlands based coalition of health organisatio...

05 Feb 2020

China’s ‘perfect storm’ a boon to Brazil’s meat producers: ABPA

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Brazil’s meat industry association ABPA said a “perfect storm” of health and food security concerns in China promises to drive up demand for South American meat, giving Brazilian meatpacker shares a boost on Monday. China reported a new outbre...

03 Feb 2020

New Zealand – Coronavirus threatens meat processing as cool stores fill with export product

China takes almost half New Zealand’s meat exports and that amounted to 402,586 tonnes of sheep meat and beef last year. Farmers are worried about the impact of the coronavirus after Silver Fern Farms talked of reducing meat processing because of cold storage shortages....

03 Feb 2020

EU considers ‘sustainability charge’ on meat prices to fight climate change

THE European Union could introduce a new tax on meat products to cut back on greenhouse emissions and climate change a week after Britain’s historic exit from the economic bloc. The European Parliament will discuss a proposal this week to introduce a levy that could see ...

02 Feb 2020

Philippines detects first African swine fever outbreak in southern province

MANILA (Reuters) – Blood samples taken from pigs in a southern province in the Philippines, the world’s 10th-largest pork consumer, tested positive for the African swine fever virus, the Department of Agriculture said on Sunday. It was the first reported case of Africa...

02 Feb 2020

Argentina Seeks to Expand Beef-Price Caps as Consumption Sinks

Argentina’s Production Ministry is looking to add more cuts of beef to a price-control system in a bid to make red meat more affordable amid rampant inflation, according to a ministerial official. Government and industry representatives are in talks over possible additions t...

02 Feb 2020

Meat-free fundraising slated by farmers

MANY farmers have been outraged this week by two major cancer charities asking for people to go meat-free for a month with a view to raising money for them. A social media storm has seen many from the industry – which has been a huge supporter of the charities, Macmillan and...

31 Jan 2020

Co-op pledges 60% cut in nitrite levels in bacon

The Co-op is to reduce the amount of nitrites used in its own-label British bacon range by 60%, in what it described as a first for major UK retailers. Nitrites, a type of preservative used to cure bacon, will be reduced by this level across 24 fresh, British Co-op lines – a...

31 Jan 2020

GB pig prices for week ending January 25, 2020 – SPP up for the first time in 2020

AHDB Pork’s weekly pig prices, slaughter data and commentary for Great Britain In the week ended January 25, the EU-spec SPP moved upwards (+0.23p). This increase pushes it about 24p higher than both the previous year and the 5-year average. The increase in price was particu...

31 Jan 2020

Burger King says it never promised Impossible Whoppers were vegan

(Reuters) – Burger King, saying it never billed its “Impossible Whoppers” as vegan or promised to cook them a particular way, said a proposed class action by a vegan customer over the plant-based patties being cooked on the same grills as meat burgers should be throw...

31 Jan 2020

Could mobile slaughterhouses fill small abattoir gaps?

Mobile abattoirs may help farms hit by the rapid loss of small abattoirs over the last few years. There are now fewer than 100 small abattoirs, those slaughtering fewer than 1,000 animals a year, according to the Sustainable Food Trust, with four closing in 2019 and another si...

31 Jan 2020

‘Next big thing for meat’: Aldi launches British Wagyu products

Aldi has started selling British-produced Wagyu beef burgers in what has been described as the ‘next big thing in the meat industry’. The product, hitting the retailer’s shelves from today (30 January), are produced from the Japanese Wagyu cattle breed, but b...

31 Jan 2020

NPA submits complaint to Ofcom over ‘How to Steal Pigs’

The National Pig Association has submitted a formal complaint to Ofcom regarding the Channel 4 programme ‘How to Steal Pigs and Influence People’. The group said that because of the programme, Channel 4 could be considered complicit in the theft of pigs. The NPA f...

31 Jan 2020

UK pork exports doubled in 2019 as African Swine Fever boosts demand

African Swine Fever in China is having a knock-on effect on the pork and other red meat sectors right across the world, including in Wales, according to market analysis by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC). The impact of the pig virus has seen 50% of China’s pork...

31 Jan 2020

Spread of African swine fever confirmed in nine EU countries

The area of the European Union affected by the African swine fever (ASF) is “progressively expanding”, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said in its latest update on the disease, published on Thursday (30 January). The report, which focuses on the period from Novem...

30 Jan 2020

UK and Australia partner this week in simulated ASF exercise

The UK and the New South Wales government in Australia is this week collaborate on a joint, simulated exercise to practice biosecurity measures in the event of an African swine fever outbreak. The joint exercise involving Defra, the Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA) and th...

30 Jan 2020

NFU Mutual reports that livestock theft has risen by nearly 20 per cent

New figures released by rural insurer NFU Mutual reveal that farm animals worth £3m were stolen from UK farms in 2019. Large-scale sheep thefts over the past two years have contributed to a 19.4 per cent rise in value since 2017, making rustling the most costly crime for the ...

30 Jan 2020

China’s coronavirus could boost Brazil meat exports, CEOs say

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Brazil’s largest meatpackers JBS SA and BRF SA said on Wednesday that the coronavirus outbreak could help boost Chinese demand for their products, as it fans concerns about domestic food safety in China. However, one executive told Reuters that sa...

30 Jan 2020

Plukon Food Group acquires Spanish poultry company VMR

European poultry firm Plukon Food Group has acquired a 100% stake in Spanish agricultural wholesaler Grupo de Gestión Empresarial Avícola VMR. VMR supplies chicken products to local retail, wholesale and food services markets under the Gallus Gallus brand. With nearly 550 em...

30 Jan 2020

Global Factors Shape Meat Market Outlook

30 Jan 2020

£500,000 Boost for Welsh Agricultural Infrastructure

Half a million pounds of new funding has been announced to support digital infrastructure investments by eligible livestock auction markets, collection centres and abattoirs in Wales. The funding, which will be made available to small and medium-sized businesses and administer...

29 Jan 2020

Politicians must tackle BBC’s pro-vegan bias, says NFU deputy president

NFU deputy president Guy Smith has said politicians who control the BBC’s licence fee must tackle pro-vegan bias at the broadcaster. The union leader warned vegans had been allowed to ‘hijack’ the climate change debate and distort the BBC’s reporting. Speaking at t...

29 Jan 2020

Major processor holds up progress on sheep splitting rule changes

A major processor has ‘broken ranks’ on the need to use a fixed cut-off date to age lambs, stalling progress on the rule change Defra was planning to introduce. Previously, all processors had supported farmers in wanting to end the process of ‘mouthing’, which is estim...

29 Jan 2020

France announces ban on piglet castration

France has announced a ban on piglet castration without anaesthesia, which is due to take effect at the end of 2021. Agriculture Minister Didier Guillaume has also announced a ban on the practice of live-shredding day-old male chicks. “From the end of 2021, nothing will be l...

29 Jan 2020

Beyond Meat is off the menu at Canada’s largest coffee chain

The big picture: The move could be a bad omen for the artificial meat industry, perhaps signaling that consumers aren’t as willing to let go of their animal-based diets as originally anticipated. If that’s the case, it would indicate that we are looking at more of a fad o...

28 Jan 2020

U.S. wants end to EU ban on ‘chlorinated chicken’ and hormone-treated beef

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union needs to redress a $10-12 billion (£9.1 billion) imbalance in farm produce trade with the United States and adapt its food safety rules to reflect “sound science”, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture said on Monday. Sonny Perdue...

28 Jan 2020

Brazil’s JBS to supply China with up to in $717 million deal with WH Group

BRASILIA, Jan 27 (Reuters) – Brazil meatpacker JBS SA said on Monday that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Hong Kong’s WH Group to supply up to $717.26 million of fresh beef, poultry and pork per year to the Chinese market. The first shipments under the...

28 Jan 2020

Brexit’s lamb sell-off now underpinning prices for Welsh sheep farmers

A good year for grass, combined with a rush to beat the October Brexit deadline, resulted in a big rise in UK lamb output in 2019. Production levels of UK beef also increased, mainly due to a large rise in carcase weights. Latest data from Defra revealed a 6.4% increase UK s...

28 Jan 2020

Rustling gangs are stealing sheepdogs to help them with night-time animal raids, NFU warns

Rustling gangs are stealing sheep dogs to help them take up to 100 animals a night during lucrative raids, the National Farmers Union (NFU) has warned. Livestock worth £3million were stolen from UK farms last year, with large-scale sheep thefts fuelling the surge, according ...

28 Jan 2020

Vet visits compulsory in updated QMS assurance scheme rules

Scottish beef and lamb farmers in the Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) assurance scheme will now be required to have an annual visit from their vet after the levy board revealed an update to the rules. It has also become compulsory that the annual review of the animal health plan (...

28 Jan 2020

Abattoir output increasing despite increase in plant-based diets

British abattoirs are killing more animals for meat every year to supply the overseas market, despite the increasing popularity of plant-based lifestyles in the UK. Almost 28.8 million farm animals were killed for meat in 2019, marking an increase of 5.4 per cent in two years,...

27 Jan 2020

Global Ag View: Livestock bears brunt of Australian bush fires

Australia’s bush fires have had a devastating impact on the country’s agricultural output. No official figures on livestock losses have been released, but Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) have estimated nine per cent of the national cattle herd were in regions which hav...

27 Jan 2020

China to buy £39bn worth of agricultural products in US deal

The US and China have signed Phase One of an international trade-agreement worth $200 billion overall, with China now expected to purchase up to $50billion (£39 billion) worth of agricultural products on an annual-basis. After a two-year bitter trade-war wrangle between the t...

27 Jan 2020

Black market meat warning as thieves steal livestock worth £3m

Thieves have stolen livestock worth £3 million in the last year, with some animals butchered in farmers’ fields and the meat then sold on the black market. Large-scale sheep thefts, where rustlers steal between 50 and 100 animals in a single raid, have contributed to the sp...

27 Jan 2020

ABP Advanced Proteins buys John Pointon and Sons

A Staffordshire Moorlands business that employs hundreds of people has been sold – it was announced on Friday (January 24). John Pointon and Sons, an animal by-products and proteins business, has been purchased by Advanced Proteins – a by-product division of ABP &#...

27 Jan 2020

Haggis is growing in popularity, and not just in Scotland

LONDON (Reuters) – Carried high by the cook on a silver platter behind a kilted piper at formal dinners, the haggis is the essential dish for anyone celebrating the birthday of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, on Saturday. Now the spicy meat is more popul...

27 Jan 2020

Major pig plants continued to cut kills

This week’s Slaughter Pig Marketing Summary, from Thames Valley Cambac, reported that the marketing week was very similar from a supply and demand point of view. Some of the majors continued to cut kills, but others were back to normal. Supply was steady, and average weights...

27 Jan 2020

U.S. pork producers well-equipped to supply China’s needs

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Reuters) – China’s pork imports should surge to an all-time high in 2020 after African swine fever decimated its hog herd, and the United States is ready to take on the task as it also eyes a new export record. The United States closed out last yea...

27 Jan 2020

Livestock worth £3m stolen from UK farms in 2019

Large-scale sheep thefts over the past two years have contributed to a 19.4% rise in value since 2017, according to rural insurer NFU Mutual. This makes rustling the most costly crime for the UK’s farming sector after agricultural vehicle and machinery theft. As well as caus...

27 Jan 2020

Pork Quarterly Q1 2020: Opportunities Are Emerging from Risks

Rising disease pressures continue to challenge the global market and will remain the major change driver in global animal protein in 2020, according to Rabobank’s latest Pork Quarterly titled ‘Opportunities Are Emerging from Risks.’ “Although the severity of African sw...

27 Jan 2020

US beef position strengthens as China trade deal is unpacked

United States beef is emerging from recent trade negotiations with China in a far more lucrative position to supply the world’s number one beef importer as details from this month’s phase-one deal gradually unfold. However, there is still much that needs to fall in...

24 Jan 2020

GB pork sales suffering

Total GB pig meat sales fell by 4.5% in volume, compared to the year before, in the 12 weeks to December 29, which includes the key Christmas period. Total spend remained stable though, as average prices were up 4.5%. Primary fresh/frozen pork recorded particularly significant...

24 Jan 2020

GB pig prices for week ending January 18, 2020 – limited movement again in the SPP

AHDB Pork’s weekly pig prices, slaughter data and commentary for Great Britain The EU-spec SPP has recorded another marginal decline in the week January 18. The average price declined by 0.09p on the week. Prices typically fall early in the year; the five-year average declin...

24 Jan 2020

Booming market for EU pork exports

The increase in EU pork exports, seen throughout 2019, has continued. November shipments were up 54% on the year at 315,000 tonnes. This reflects escalating Chinese import demand towards the end of 2019. Shipments to China were over three times higher on the year while volume...

24 Jan 2020

Climate crisis: Farmers warn of danger of blaming UK livestock

Farmers have warned of the dangers of focusing on UK livestock production or ‘inappropriate’ tree planting as ways to tackle the climate crisis. Addressing the key findings in the latest Committee on Climate Change report, the Farmers’ Union of Wales warned ...

23 Jan 2020

China lifts 30-month age restriction on US beef imports

China and the US have signed an agreement whereby the Asian country will remove the 30-month age limit for beef it imports from the US. The ‘Phase 1′ Trade Agreement between the US and China – signed by Donald Trump last week – will also see China recognise the US’ b...

23 Jan 2020

EU suspends imports of Ukrainian poultry meat

KIEV (Reuters) – The European Union has suspended imports of Ukrainian poultry meat and related products after Kiev reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic bird flu, the state food safety and consumer protection service said on Thursday. The outbreak, the first such ou...

23 Jan 2020

Stillman’s (Somerset) Ltd denies five charges of breaching safety and hygiene laws

THE owners of a slaughter house on the edge of Taunton have been accused of five serious breaches of safety and hygiene laws. Stillman’s (Somerset) Ltd are contesting the charges relating to its operation at Staplegrove Mills, Staplegrove. The case was mentioned at Tau...

23 Jan 2020

Italy seizes 9.5 tonnes of Chinese pork to prevent African swine fever contagion

MILAN (Reuters) – Italy’s tax police seized and destroyed 9.5 tonnes of pork from China which was banned by the Health Ministry after African swine fever broke out in the Asian country, police in the northeastern city of Padoa said on Wednesday. The illegally-imported ...

23 Jan 2020

Germany and Poland discuss new action to prevent swine fever

HAMBURG (Reuters) – Germany and Poland are discussing new action to prevent the spread of the pig disease African swine fever (ASF) in wild boars in Poland close to the German border including border fences and increased hunting of the animals, Germany’s agriculture mi...

23 Jan 2020

Supermarket deal sees Simon Howie haggis sold across UK

Perthshire butcher Simon Howie is toasting the growing popularity of haggis across the UK as the company lands a six figure deal which will see company’s tradional dish on supermarket shelves in England and Wales. The contract with Tesco, worth £670,000, will see the firm�...

23 Jan 2020

Lab-grown meat producer Memphis Meats raises $161 million in funding led by SoftBank

(Reuters) – Lab-grown meat producer Memphis Meats said on Wednesday it raised $161 million in a funding round led by Japan’s SoftBank Group, Singapore’s wealth fund Temasek Holdings and Norwest Venture Partners. The company said the latest round took total funding t...

23 Jan 2020

The Hong Kong businessman behind Omnipork, is trying to convince a billion people to embrace a meat replacement.

For a guy in the food industry, David Yeung talks a lot about how gross food can be. Specifically, pork, the most popular meat in China. Industrial hogs are bred in harsh conditions—packed together in pens, sometimes eating contaminated garbage—and the 41-year-old Hong Kon...

23 Jan 2020

Boost in UK beef exports while imports drop

UK beef exports increased by nearly a quarter for the year ending November 2019 while imports plummeted, the latest figures show. The latest figures published by HMRC showed that in November, UK beef trade continued to follow the trends recorded for most of the year. UK beef e...

23 Jan 2020

Chinese beef importers seek to renegotiate prices for Brazilian shipments

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Chinese beef importers are seeking to renegotiate prices previously agreed when they closed deals to buy dozens of shipments from Brazil because values are too high, according to a report in the online edition of a local newspaper on Monday. The web...

22 Jan 2020

Ugandan beef ‘will have honoured place’ in UK, PM says

Beef produced in Uganda will have an ‘honoured place’ on the UK’s supermarket shelves post-Brexit, Boris Johnson has said. The prime minister attempted to woo African leaders at the UK-Africa investment summit in London on Monday (20 January). He underlined t...

22 Jan 2020

Italy seizes 9.5 tonnes of Chinese pork to prevent African swine fever contagion

20 Jan 2020

China deal gives US beef an edge over NZ producers

A range of import restrictions affecting New Zealand beef exporters to China will be swept away for their American competitors as part of the new “phase one” US-China trade deal signed in Washington DC on Wednesday. However, US producers will continue to face tarif...

23 Dec 2019

China lifts ban on some Japanese beef imports amid meat shortages

China has lifted a ban on deboned beef from Japanese cows under 30 months old, the General Administration of Customs said in a notice, ending an almost two-decade long restriction on beef imports from the country. The decision comes as China faces severe meat shortages after a...

23 Dec 2019

The potential roads to recovery from African swine fever in China

African swine fever (ASF) is endemic in China. Nonetheless, many forecasts expect Chinese pork production to be on the way to recovery by the middle of the coming decade. As part of the EU medium-term outlook, the European Commission has produced two scenarios for China’s AS...

21 Dec 2019

Container with 50 beef carcasses stolen in Armagh

A refrigerated container with 50 beef carcasses has been stolen in County Armagh. The 40ft container was taken from premises in the Red Lion Road area of Loughgall at 01:00 GMT on Friday. The unit was recovered by Gardaí in Dundalk, County Louth. PSNI Insp Leslie Badger said ...

21 Dec 2019

China calls for revival in pork production after disease outbreak

Chinese authorities have called for a revival of pork production, state media outlet Xinhua reported on Saturday, after a disease outbreak that decimated the national pig herd. At an agricultural conference in Beijing, attended by President Xi Jinping, officials said it was ne...

06 Dec 2019

Farmers mount 12-hour Aldi blockade and warn of more beef price protests

Farmers who mounted a blockade of a major distribution centre for Aldi supermarkets in a protest at falling beef prices say it is the first of many such protests. The farmers who are members of the Irish Farmers’ Association drove a tractor and trailer across the entrance ...

06 Dec 2019

China must recover pig production, stabilize pork supply: vice premier

Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua said the country must resolutely work to achieve the target of recovering pig production numbers, and stabilize pork supply for the upcoming holidays, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. China must ensure stable pork supply in key periods ...

28 Nov 2019

Meat is crucial for feeding the planet, and going vegan is not more green, say scientists

Meat is crucial for feeding the planet, leading scientists have said, as they warned it is not more environmentally-friendly to go vegan. Experts from the University of Edinburgh and Scotland’s Rural College said farmers were increasingly feeling demonised by the unsupported...

28 Nov 2019

Mutton making a comeback because it’s lost its ‘cheap’ image, say sheep farmers and butchers

Mutton is making a comeback because it has lost its “cheap and tough” image, farmers and butchers have said. Now, environmentally-conscious people are choosing to buy the older sheep meat, as butchers say lamb, mutton and hogget should be treated with as much reverence as ...

28 Nov 2019

Farmers and meat leaders slam TV film

Farm and red meat industry leaders have hit out at the national broadcaster’s programme – Meat: A Threat to our Planet? – which explored the impact of red meat production on the environment. Martin Morgan, executive manager of the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers...

28 Nov 2019

Ukrainian export loophole closed

The European Parliament is proposing measures to put an end to the wave of cheap Ukrainian chicken meat flooding the European market through a loophole. The country avoided tariffs by exporting a special bone-in cut of poultry meat. As a tradeoff, Ukraine is permitted to expor...

27 Nov 2019

UK farming unions respond to BBC meat documentary

The four UK farming union presidents have said that last night’s BBC documentary, Meat: a threat to our planet?, shows why food standards must be upheld in future trade deals. They said: “At no point did the documentary explain the vast differences between American meat ...

27 Nov 2019

Farmers start beef with BBC as meat documentary’s claims come under fire

It was meant to be a documentary exploring the impact our carnivorous ways was having on the planet. But the BBC’s ‘Meat: A Threat To Our Planet’ has become embroiled in a row with British farmers, who fear the show could damage their reputation. The show, headed up by ...

27 Nov 2019

Going whole hog: U.S. tells exporters to report pig carcass sales as China buying soars

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Monday that commodity exporters must disclose sales of hog carcasses, giving officials and traders more insight into a surge of Chinese pork buying that has roiled global meat markets. China’s pork imports have nearly doubled this y...

27 Nov 2019

Brazil Is the Big Beef Winner From China’s Hunt for Protein

China’s effort to fill a protein gap created by the spread of African swine fever is rippling through Brazil’s massive beef industry, pushing up prices and profits for both cattle ranchers and meatpackers. China’s effort to fill a protein gap created by the spread of Afr...

27 Nov 2019

‘Not enough pork in the world’ to deal with China’s demand for meat

The cost of living in China has outstripped the 3% government target for the first time in a decade, and a big part of the problem is the soaring price of pork, which is being driven up by a widespread outbreak of African swine fever (ASF). Pork is a big deal in China. The ave...

27 Nov 2019

Waitrose to sell only UK lamb, as they say it is important to ‘invest in British agriculture’

Waitrose is set to only sell British lamb as it phases out meat from New Zealand in order to “support UK agriculture.” The retailer used to supplement its lamb range with New Zealand products in the winter months, but is to stop doing so by 2021. Most of the superm...

27 Nov 2019

Lamb prices boosted by solid UK and international demand

Lamb prices have been boosted by solid UK and international demand, while beef prices are still significantly down on recent years, new figures show The average deadweight steer price in England and Wales now stands at 319.5p per kg, according to Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promot...

27 Nov 2019

China buying all Brazilian beef available; meat prices in Sao Paulo at record high

Chinese demand is increasingly swallowing up Brazil’s beef supply, pushing the country’s cattle prices to a record high. China’s hunger for foreign meat has shot up as an outbreak of African swine fever has reduced its domestic pig population and has sent it look...

27 Nov 2019

Brazil Is the Big Beef Winner From China’s Hunt for Protein

China’s effort to fill a protein gap created by the spread of African swine fever is rippling through Brazil’s massive beef industry, pushing up prices and profits for both cattle ranchers and meatpackers. While China has been increasing local poultry production and raisin...

25 Nov 2019

Going whole hog: U.S. tells exporters to report pig carcass sales as China buying soars

20 Nov 2019

China’s pork prices slump on higher supply, falling consumption

China’s pork prices fell sharply last week for the first time in 10 months, as reports of fresh disease outbreaks in the northeast led to more hogs being sent for slaughter just as consumers cut back on pricey meat, analysts said. Chinese pork prices hit record levels after ...

20 Nov 2019

Pork prices begin to fall

Pork prices in China have started to decline, and pork production will gradually be restored as supporting policies take effect, the agriculture minister said. The number of breeding sows began to rise last month, and the number of other pigs decreased at a much slower pace, s...

10 Nov 2019

BRF mulls acquisitions in Turkey to grow in-country production

BRF SA (BRFS3.SA), the world’s largest chicken exporter, said on Tuesday it would consider acquisitions in Turkey as part of a strategy to increase production there and remain a leading food supplier in the halal world. Patricio Rohner, vice president of international operat...

20 Aug 2019

China takes measures to stabilize pork prices

China has taken various measures to ensure pork supply and stabilize pork prices, an official said yesterday. Governments at all levels have put great emphasis on restoring hog production and have stepped up efforts to increase pork supply, said Liu Aihua, spokesperson for the...

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