Russian Turkey Exports Soar, Dominating Chinese Market

Russia Ousts US as Leading Turkey Meat Exporter to China

GLOBAL TRADE – May 1, 2025 – Russia has significantly reshaped the global turkey meat trade landscape, successfully overtaking the United States to become the largest exporter of turkey meat to China. This strategic shift has been driven by a remarkable surge in Russian exports, which have proven highly competitive in the Chinese market.

According to Poultry World, approximately 60% of all Russian turkey meat production is now directed towards China. This strong export performance is projected to continue its upward trajectory, with estimates indicating Russian turkey exports to China could reach 35,000 tonnes in 2025 and a substantial 60,000 tonnes by 2030.

Anatoly Velmatov highlighted that Russian firms have demonstrated a keen ability to outcompete other major international suppliers, including prominent players from the US and South America, within the lucrative Chinese market.

Despite this export success, the Russian turkey industry faces several hurdles. Challenges include the ongoing bird flu situation, declining consumption in some key sales markets, and the increasing impact of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agenda alongside tightening environmental regulations. Nevertheless, the industry maintains an ambitious goal of increasing its overall export share to 10% of its total turkey meat production, solidifying its position in the global poultry trade.

Original source: Poultry World

Tight Beef Supply Sees Deadweight Prices Surging

Tight Beef Supply Drives Deadweight Prices Sky High Across UK, Reports Farmers Weekly

UNITED KINGDOM – May 1, 2025 – The British beef sector is experiencing unprecedented price hikes, with deadweight cattle prices soaring by nearly 40% in just nine months due to a significant tightening of both international and domestic beef supplies. According to Farmers Weekly (FWI), the market is bracing for continued high prices.

Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC), the Welsh red meat promotion body, forecasts that deadweight prices will remain consistently above £7/kg, with weekly increases already being observed. This surge sees prime cattle deadweight prices in England and Wales now sitting an impressive £2/kg higher than during the same period last year.

The increase in prices is directly linked to reduced availability. For the first quarter of 2025, UK prime cattle throughput was down 3% year-on-year, indicating fewer animals coming to market.

This sharp rise in deadweight prices is inevitably impacting consumers, who are facing retail beef prices that have increased by approximately 20%. The dynamic underscores a challenging period for consumers, while producers potentially benefit from stronger returns, albeit within a constrained supply environment.

Original source: Farmers Weekly

Smithfield Foods Shifts Focus Amid Tariff Challenges

Smithfield Foods Shifts Focus Amid Tariff Challenges

Smithfield Foods, the leading U.S. pork processor, has announced that China is no longer a viable market due to retaliatory tariffs imposed by Beijing. This development highlights the ongoing impact of the tariff war initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump, which has significantly disrupted global trade.

Tariff Impact

China, the world’s largest pork consumer, increased its levies on U.S. goods, pushing the effective duty rate on U.S. pork to 172%[1]. This move was in response to higher duties imposed by the U.S. on Chinese imports. As a result, Smithfield Foods has had to pivot its business strategy.

Business Pivot

Smithfield CEO Shane Smith stated on a recent earnings call, “With China no longer essentially being available, we really had to pivot our business” [1]. The company, which went public in January, reported a 9.5% rise in total sales to $3.77 billion for the first quarter ending March 30, surpassing analysts’ expectations [1].

Future Outlook

Despite the challenges, Smithfield remains optimistic about finding new markets for its products. The company is focusing on other international markets and increasing sales of more profitable products like lunch meats and dry sausages [2]. This strategic shift aims to mitigate the impact of losing access to the Chinese market.

Smithfield’s ability to adapt to these changes will be crucial as it navigates the complexities of global trade and continues to support U.S. farmers.

Original story: Reuters

References

[1] Smithfield Foods Says Tariffs Make China Unviable Market for its U.S. Pork

[2] Tariffs Mean Pork Producer Smithfield Has Had to ‘Pivot … – Investopedia

Irish Sheep Trade & Prices Update

Lamb Market Update: Quotes, Prices, and Throughput

Quotes

Base quotes from the major processors have been falling for a number of weeks, however the week ending April 20th saw quotes take a big increase, with €8.50/kg for well finished lambs (+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 the trade all of 2024. Tighter lamb supplies are also a feature in other key lamb producing regions of Europe and the UK with the latest Eurostat figures indicating a contraction in breeding flock numbers in many regions. The Irish ewe flock contracted by 3.7 per cent in the December 2023 census versus December 2022 levels. This decline in the ewe flock of 107,000 head is one factor contributing to the tightness in supplies.

Prices

Reported deadweight price for week ending April 20th increased by 2c/kg to €9.04/kg, reflective of an uplift for the past two weeks after a number of weeks of consecutive price drops recorded in average prices from the major lamb processors. In the corresponding week in 2024 the reported deadweight price was €8.68/kg. The deadweight trade has slightly improved across the UK regions for week ending April 12th. Reported lamb prices in mainland GB were the equivalent of €8.26/kg last week (-23c/kg) in Northern Ireland the latest prices for week ending April 20th 2025 was €8.10/kg.

Southern Hemisphere prices remain well below European prices however they have improved significantly over the last few weeks, narrowing the price differential with the EU. With a lead time on product shipments this recent improvement in deadweight prices should impact their competitiveness on EU markets in the medium to longer term. Prices this week took a slight increase and fall respectively and are at €4.56/kg and €4.50/kg for Australia and New Zealand.

Throughput

There was an increase in the total sheep kill in DAFM approved plants last week to 45,708 head, compared to 34,530 the same week in 2024. Tighter supplies has been a feature of the 2025 lamb season to date with a smaller lamb crop and a difficult lambing impacting lamb availability for processing. Total TYD slaughter is down 18% on 2024 to total 657,036 head.

Bord Bia

Irish Cattle & Beef Market Update

Beef Market Update: Throughput and Prices

Throughput

There were 35,717 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants during the week ending April 20th 2025, taking throughput for the year to date to 574,563 head. This is a 11,296 head or 2% increase on the corresponding period in 2024 when a total of 563,267 cattle were processed.

There have been 431,680 prime cattle processed in the first 16 weeks of 2025, a 1.8% increase from the same period last year . Within this however there has been a change in the slaughter mix with a notable decline in the young bull kill early in 2025, which has this week evened out to similar level as this week in 2024. Steer and Heifer throughput has dropped slightly in comparison to 2024. Cow throughput has remained strong with 99,507 cows processed so far this year, up by 13% from 2024 levels.

Prices

Quotes from major processors have continued to trend upward and this has been reflected in a balance between supply and demand currently in favour of producers, this week saw the trade levelling off. Base quotes this week are in the region of €7.50-€7.60/kg for steers while starting quotes for heifers are €7.60/kg to €7.70/kg.

The trade for the smaller numbers of young bulls on offer remains steady with €7.50-€7.70/kg also available for U grading animals under 24 months of age, with flat prices as high as €7.80/kg available for R grading bulls.

Well fleshed O grading cows are being quoted at €7.00/kg with €7.30/kg available for good quality R grading cows. A significant proportion of the cow kill have achieved a conformation score of P in recent months and the prices available for these animals vary significantly based on grade, weight and quality.

For the week ending April 20th 2025, the average price paid by Irish beef processors for R3 steers decreases by 4c/kg to €7.69/kg. This was 248c/kg ahead of the corresponding week in 2024. The reported R3 heifer during the week ending April 20th 2025 increased by 4c/kg to €7.73/kg, placing it 247c/kg ahead of the corresponding week in 2024.

Note that reported prices exclude VAT but include all bonus payments such as in-spec bonus, breed-based producer groups etc.

EU and UK prices:

European young bull prices have held strong for all of 2025 so far. The average reported price for R3 grading young bulls was €6.40/kg (excluding VAT) for the week ending April 20th 2025. This is 138c/kg ahead of the same week last year. Tighter cattle supplies and firm demand have meant deadweight beef prices in the UK have remained strong, this week the average R3 steer price increased slightly this week to be €8.16/kg for the week ending April 20th 2025.

Bord Bia

FSA Steps Up Efforts to Modernise Meat Regulation

UK Food Standards Agency Modernises Meat Industry Regulations

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is rolling out several initiatives to modernise its regulatory approach to the meat industry, which contributes £10 billion annually to the UK economy. These efforts aim to uphold high food safety standards and improve efficiency amid growing challenges.

Key Projects and Innovations

One major project is the development of an online self-service portal, currently in testing. This platform will allow meat businesses to access plant-specific data, including inspection results and approvals, in real time, simplifying operations and enhancing regulatory processes. Additionally, the FSA has trialled technology to transfer post-mortem inspection data directly from business systems to the agency, reducing manual intervention and boosting efficiency.

The FSA is also exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve meat inspection processes. AI tools could detect contamination not visible to the human eye, although these inspections are not yet legally permitted. The FSA views AI as a potential future solution.

International and Domestic Efforts

Internationally, the FSA is advising the UK government on upcoming negotiations with the EU regarding sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls for food exports. The aim is to streamline processes while maintaining high food safety standards and ensuring UK exporters remain competitive.

Domestically, the FSA is addressing a shortage of trained official veterinarians, crucial for meat inspection. Despite efforts to recruit more meat hygiene inspectors, the number of UK-trained veterinarians remains insufficient. The FSA has increasingly relied on veterinarians from other countries, but rising post-Brexit recruitment and visa costs have made this less viable long-term.

Regulatory Costs and Legal Actions

In response to rising regulatory costs, the FSA has announced higher inspection charges for 2025–2026, prompting legal action from some industry groups. The FSA is also reviewing its discount scheme for small businesses, which currently offers significant cost reductions. The outcome of this review will depend on government spending assessments.

Strengthening the National Food Crime Unit

The FSA is enhancing its National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) by granting it new powers to apply for warrants and seize evidence. This will enable the unit to combat food-related crime in complex supply chains more effectively. Recent successes include prosecuting individuals involved in large-scale poultry fraud and falsification of testing certificates.

These initiatives reflect the FSA’s commitment to maintaining high food safety standards and supporting the meat industry’s efficiency and competitiveness in a challenging environment.

Original story: Food & Drink Int

Licence Revoked from Abattoir After Shocking Welfare Violations

Warwickshire Abattoir Loses Licence Following Animal Welfare Investigation

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has revoked the operating licence of T&S Abattoir in Arley, Warwickshire, following a thorough investigation into significant animal welfare breaches. The decision comes after covert footage, captured by an animal rights activist last year, surfaced in February, corroborating earlier concerns raised by local residents who had been advocating for the facility’s closure.

While the FSA confirmed that “substantial” action had already been taken at the abattoir prior to the emergence of the footage, the subsequent investigation by an independent panel concluded that T&S Abattoir had failed to prevent serious incidents compromising animal welfare. The FSA stated that this lack of confidence in the abattoir’s ability to ensure “consistent compliance” with animal welfare standards led to the licence revocation.

A spokesperson for the FSA emphasized the seriousness of the findings, stating that the identified breaches would be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for potential legal action.

In a statement released today, the FSA confirmed that T&S Abattoir Ltd, the operating company, has been formally notified of the licence revocation, along with the detailed reasons for the decision and their right to appeal the ruling.

Reiterating its commitment to animal welfare, the FSA asserted a firm stance on the issue. “We have a zero-tolerance approach to animal welfare breaches so we will always take the necessary action to protect high animal welfare standards.”

The BBC has reached out to T&S Abattoir Ltd for comment but has yet to receive a response.

This development marks a significant step following long-standing concerns about animal welfare practices at the Arley-based abattoir and underscores the FSA’s commitment to upholding standards within the food industry. The outcome of the police investigation and any potential appeal by T&S Abattoir Ltd will be closely watched.

Original story: BBC News

Great British Beef Week Back for 15th Year

Great British Beef Week, a successful industry campaign that promotes British beef to consumers, returns for its 15th anniversary on St George’s Day, 23 April.

This nationwide campaign, running from 23-30 April, highlights the hard work and dedication of the farmers who produce British beef, while also shining a light on sustainable farming practices and the exceptional taste of British beef.

The campaign was first founded by the Ladies in Beef group, created by former NFU president Minette Batters and Devon beef producer Jilly Greed. Over the years, it has garnered support from various UK levy bodies including AHDB, Hybu Cig Cymru, the Livestock and Meat Commission, and Quality Meat Scotland. Additionally, organizations such as the NFU, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, and Red Tractor have lent their support to the campaign.

As part of this year’s campaign, AHDB is putting the faces behind British beef farming at the heart of the initiative. Baroness Minette Batters emphasized the importance of British beef, stating, “Our farmers produce naturally delicious beef – British beef is not just a staple of our cuisine, it’s a symbol of our hard work and enjoyed by many at home and abroad.”

The campaign aims to celebrate the contributions of British farmers and encourage consumers to appreciate and support locally produced beef. With its focus on sustainability and quality, Great British Beef Week continues to be a significant event in the UK’s agricultural calendar.

Australian Cattle and Sheep Market Update

Weekly Cattle and Sheep Market Wrap

Key Points

Restocker cattle demand reflects the impact of the rainfall events of the last month.
The National Mutton Indicator continues to recorrect.
National cattle slaughter lifted above 150,000 head for the first time since June 2019.

Australia is heading into a series of public holidays that are expected to disrupt regular operations at saleyards and meat processing plants across the country. Market indicators and processing volumes will be impacted over the upcoming weeks. MLA will continue monitoring the prices and markets and return to regular market commentary once all saleyards are back online.

Upcoming National Public Holidays

Easter: Friday 18 April – Monday 21 April
ANZAC Day: Friday 25 April
Labour Day (Queensland) and May Day (NT): Monday 5 May

A list of affected sales can be found in the article here.

Cattle Market

The mixed results in the cattle market this week were due to the volatility of supply in saleyards. This was caused by interrupted sales, with reduced yardings the week prior.

As the effects of the Queensland and NSW rain are realised in feed, confidence in the market has been reflected in the lifting of the Restocker Yearling Heifer Indicator and Restocker Yearling Steer Indicator. Despite a lift in indicator yardings, both indicators lifted 4¢ last week to 328¢/kg liveweight (lwt) and 401¢/kg lwt, respectively.

Finished animals did not fare well this week, with the Heavy Steer Indicator easing 16¢ to 356¢/kg lwt. This has further separated the gap between the steer indicators as the market reflects the weight of gaining confidence. The Processor Cow Indicator similarly fell, easing 13¢ to 284¢/kg lwt, a seeming correction of the spikes seen last week.

Sheep Market

The sheep market was similarly mixed this week. Similar to cattle, yardings were impacted by interrupted sales.

Finished stock remained relatively stable, with the Heavy Lamb Indicator and Trade Lamb moving sideways to 815¢ and 801¢/kg cwt.

Restocker lambs eased to 669¢/kg cwt, driven mostly by confidence in NSW markets pulling prices up last week, and a lack of competitive pulling them back down. The National Mutton Indicator continued its decline, down 78¢ to 431¢/kg cwt, despite a significant reduction in the supply of mutton through yards. Moving through autumn, it is likely we will see a continued reduction in supply.

Slaughter

Week Ending 11 April 2025

Processing volumes for the week ending 11 April lifted from last week as processors recovered from the impact of the floods in Queensland and prepared for several weeks of interrupted processing. Processing volumes tend to lift in the week before Easter, and this year’s increases are in line with this historical trend.

The next two slaughter reports will be impacted by the upcoming short weeks.

Cattle Slaughter

National slaughter lifted 6% to 152,180 head, thanks to significant lifts in NSW and Victoria. Both states had their largest kill weeks in five years, processing 37,994 and 25,411 head, respectively.

Consistent lifts across all states last week (up 0–⁠8%) also contributed:

NSW up 6% to 37,994
Queensland up 6% to 77,335
SA up 1% to 3,815
Tasmania up 1% to 5,016
Victoria up 8% to 25,411
WA steady at 2,609.

Sheep Slaughter

Lamb processing reached records, lifting 4% for a record throughput of 527,045 head, the fourth consecutive week above the half-million mark. This reflects the continued supply of the 2024 lamb cohort, many of which were retained longer due to poorer conditions and weight gain decisions.

NSW throughput lifted 5% to 131,364, its largest week since September 2024. Victoria’s throughput also lifted 3% last week to 261,758, the second-largest state throughput, just behind last month’s record. State-by-state breakdown was as follows:

NSW up 5% to 131,364
Queensland up 4% to 1,460
SA up 8% to 61,959
Tasmania up 7% to 11,563
Victoria up 3% to 261,758
WA up 1% to 58,941.

Lifts were also seen in sheep slaughter, which increased 4% to 197,580, though throughput remained below the 2025 average. Increases across both categories took the combined slaughter to 724,627 head, the third largest throughput of the year.

Attribute to: Erin Lukey, MLA Senior Market Information Analyst.

Foot-and-Mouth Threat Level Raised to ‘Medium’ Across the UK

Farmers Urged to Increase Biosecurity Measures Following Heightened Risk Assessment

Livestock farmers are being urged to bolster their biosecurity protocols following an official increase in the threat level for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) from ‘low’ to ‘medium’.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) announced the change earlier today, citing a heightened risk of the highly contagious animal disease entering the country.

Defra is advising all livestock keepers to review and strengthen their biosecurity measures immediately. This includes:

Strict control of access to farms and animal housing: Limiting unnecessary visitors and ensuring thorough disinfection of vehicles and footwear.
Enhanced hygiene practices: Implementing rigorous cleaning and disinfection protocols for equipment, vehicles, and personnel.
Careful sourcing of animals and animal products: Ensuring all new livestock are sourced from reputable, disease-free sources and adhering to all import regulations.
Vigilant monitoring of animal health: Regularly checking livestock for any signs of foot-and-mouth disease, such as blisters on the mouth, feet, and teats, excessive salivation, and lameness.
Prompt reporting of any suspicious signs: Contacting a veterinarian or the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) immediately if any unusual symptoms are observed.

A Defra spokesperson emphasised the importance of proactive measures: “The increase in the foot-and-mouth disease threat level to ‘medium’ is a precautionary measure to reflect the evolving situation in Europe. While the risk remains that the disease could enter the UK, taking robust biosecurity measures is the most effective way to protect our livestock and the wider agricultural economy. We urge all farmers to remain vigilant and implement the necessary steps to safeguard their animals.”

As the situation in Europe continues to be monitored closely, UK farmers are bracing themselves and implementing stricter measures to protect their livelihoods and the nation’s livestock from the potentially devastating impact of foot-and-mouth disease.