China Considers Resuming Chicken Imports from Brazil Amid Supply Pressures

July 6, 2025 | Meatex News Desk

China is reportedly evaluating the resumption of chicken imports from Brazil, according to statements made by Brazil’s Agriculture Minister. The move comes as part of broader efforts to stabilise domestic meat supplies and strengthen trade ties with one of the world’s largest poultry exporters.

Background and Trade Context

• Brazil is a leading global supplier of poultry, and China has historically been one of its top markets.
• Imports were previously restricted due to sanitary concerns and regulatory reviews.
• The potential reopening of trade could significantly boost Brazil’s poultry sector and help China meet rising consumer demand.

Implications for Global Trade

• A resumption of imports would likely increase competition in the Asian poultry market, potentially affecting prices and supply chains across the region.
• It may also influence trade dynamics with other major exporters such as the U.S. and Thailand.

The Brazilian government remains optimistic, citing ongoing technical discussions and China’s growing need for high-quality protein sources.

Original reporting by Reuters.

Australian Cattle and Sheep Markets Surge as Prices Hit New Highs

July 4, 2025 | Meatex News Desk

Australia’s cattle and sheep markets saw significant price increases in early July, with several indicators reaching record highs, according to the latest report from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA)

Cattle Market Highlights

• The Feeder Steer Indicator rose by 20¢ to 417¢/kg liveweight (lwt), outpacing the Restocker Steer Indicator by 17¢.
• Heavy Steer prices also climbed, lifting 23¢ to 373¢/kg lwt, driven by limited supply and strong processor interest.
• Queensland recorded the largest price increase at 29¢, while New South Wales saw a more modest rise of 6¢.
• National cattle slaughter reached 158,922 head, the highest weekly total since December 2019, with Queensland leading the surge.

Sheep Market Highlights

• All lamb indicators hit record highs, except for the Mutton Indicator, which still approached its peak.
• The Heavy Lamb Indicator jumped 68¢ to 1,099¢/kg carcase weight (cwt), while the Trade Lamb Indicator rose 48¢ to 1,072¢/kg cwt.
• The Merino Lamb Indicator increased 73¢ to 936¢/kg cwt, with trade weights fetching up to $232/head at Dubbo.
• Sheep and lamb yardings fell by over 19,000 head, and slaughter numbers dropped by nearly 92,000 due to processor maintenance shutdowns.

Despite seasonal tightening in supply, strong demand from both restockers and processors continues to drive competition and price growth across the board.

Original data sourced from Meat & Livestock Australia 

Australian Beef Exports Hit Record Highs Amid Global Supply Tightening

July 04, 2025 | Meatex News Desk

Australian beef exports have reached unprecedented levels, with June 2025 setting a new monthly record of 134,593 tonnes, according to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA)

Key Drivers of Demand

• Global supply constraints: Reduced output from competing beef-exporting nations has opened up opportunities for Australian producers.
• Reputation for quality: Australian beef continues to earn international acclaim, with 38 of the 101 restaurants listed in the World’s Best Steaks guide featuring it on their menus.
• Market diversity: While the United States remains the top destination, exports to China, Japan, and Korea remain strong. The share of exports to other markets also rose from 18% in June 2024 to 20% in June 2025.
• Grainfed beef boom: Grainfed exports surged by 29% year-on-year, reaching a record 39,887 tonnes in June. The ten highest months for grain fed exports have all occurred within the past year.

With slaughter numbers remaining high and carcase weights above average, MLA expects export momentum to continue through the second half of 2025.

Original reporting by Meat & Livestock Australia 

UK Cattle and Sheep Market Update: Lamb Prices Rise, Cattle Prices Ease

July 3, 2025 | Meatex News Desk

The latest market data from AHDB for the week ending 21 June 2025 shows diverging trends in the UK livestock sector, with lamb prices climbing while cattle prices softened

Cattle Market Overview

• Prime cattle deadweight prices fell across all categories, with the all-prime average at 633p/kg—still 157p/kg higher than the same week in 2024 and 202p/kg above the five-year average.
• Heifer prices saw the largest drop, down 9p/kg, while steers and young bulls declined by 8p/kg and 5p/kg, respectively.
• Cull cow prices also fell by 7p/kg to 503p/kg, with slaughter numbers down 12% year-on-year.
• Prime cattle slaughter dropped to 31,700 head, bringing the year-to-date total to 807,200 head, down 3.2% from 2024.
• Store cattle prices rose, with native steers (12–18 months) averaging £1,335.70/head and native heifers £1,129/head.

Sheep Market Overview

• The NSL SQQ lamb price rose by 25p/kg to 749p/kg.
• Clean sheep slaughter increased to 182,400 head, rebounding after a dip during the Qurbani period.
• Year-to-date slaughter reached 5.2 million head, up 3.8% year-on-year.
• New season lambs now make up 79% of finished live market throughput, indicating the end of carryover supply.

These figures reflect a tightening sheep supply and continued seasonal shifts in cattle throughput.

Original data sourced from AHDB 

FSA Issues Updated Guidance on Mechanically Separated Meat for UK Food Businesses

July 3, 2025 | Meatex News Desk

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has released new guidance to help food businesses in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland comply with legal requirements surrounding Mechanically Separated Meat (MSM) . This follows recent Supreme Court and High Court rulings that clarified the legal definition and classification of MSM.

Key Points from the Guidance

• MSM must be clearly declared as an ingredient when used in food products and does not count toward the total meat content on product labels.
• The guidance aims to ensure accurate classification and labelling, enabling consumers to make informed choices.
• Businesses may need to adjust their production processes and labelling practices to align with the clarified legal definition.
• The FSA has committed to supporting businesses through this transition, allowing a reasonable timeframe for implementation.

Background

The updated guidance was developed in consultation with industry stakeholders and reflects the outcome of legal rulings that impact how MSM is defined and used in food production. The FSA emphasises its role in upholding food law and protecting public trust in food labelling and safety.

Original guidance available via the Food Standards Agency 

Turkey Temporarily Closes Livestock Markets Amid Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak

July 2, 2025 | Meatex News Desk

In response to a resurgence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), Turkish authorities have temporarily shut down livestock markets across the country to contain the outbreak. The decision, announced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, aims to prevent further spread of the highly contagious virus among cloven-hoofed animals.

Key Measures Implemented

• Nationwide closure of livestock markets and animal movements restricted in affected regions.
• Vaccination campaigns intensified, particularly in high-risk provinces.
• Surveillance and biosecurity protocols have been strengthened at farms and transport hubs.

The outbreak has raised concerns among exporters and domestic producers, especially after the Kurban Bayramı (Eid al-Adha) period, when livestock sales typically surge. Authorities are urging farmers to comply with the restrictions to avoid long-term economic and animal health consequences.

Foot-and-mouth disease, while not a threat to human health, can cause severe losses in livestock productivity and trade.

Original reporting by Reuters.

European Beef Production Falls by 56,000 Tonnes in Q1 2025

June 27, 2025 – According to the latest update from AHDB, beef production across the European Union dropped by 3% in the first quarter of 2025, equating to a reduction of 56,000 tonnes compared to the same period in 2024. Total EU beef output for Q1 stood at 1.58 million tonnes.

Key Drivers Behind the Decline

• The most significant production drops were recorded in France, Germany, and the Netherlands, largely due to the impact of Bluetongue virus (BTV-3).
• Structural herd reductions and profitability challenges also contributed to the decline.
• In contrast, Poland and Ireland saw increased production, driven by strong domestic prices and export demand.

Trade and Market Implications

• Despite lower production, EU beef demand remains strong, prompting a rise in imports.
• EU-27 beef imports increased by 11% year-on-year in Q1, reaching approximately 77,000 tonnes.
• The UK remains the largest beef supplier to the EU, though South American countries—notably Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay—also saw significant growth in export volumes to the region.

Outlook for UK Exporters

With EU production tightening and demand holding firm, UK beef exporters may find new opportunities to expand market share on the continent.

Original data sourced from AHDB 

Australian Cattle and Sheep Market: Prices Hold Steady Amid Strong Slaughter Volumes

June 28, 2025 | Meatex News Desk

According to the latest market wrap from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) cattle prices remained steady while lamb prices eased slightly during the week ending 27 June 2025. The market was shaped by strong demand, shifting quality, and record slaughter volumes.

Cattle Market Highlights

• Cattle prices held firm, supported by strong demand for restocker steers and processor cows.
• The Restocker Steer Indicator rose by 11¢ to 391¢/kg liveweight (lwt), while the Restocker Heifer Indicator eased 9¢ to 312¢/kg lwt.
• Processor Cow Indicator lifted 9¢ to 291¢/kg lwt, with prices reaching 360¢/kg lwt at Dubbo.
• Cattle slaughter reached 153,442 head, the highest weekly total since December 2019, with significant increases in Victoria and New South Wales.

Sheep Market Highlights

• Lamb prices eased across most indicators due to declining quality and increased buyer selectivity.
• The Heavy Lamb Indicator dropped 32¢ to 1,028¢/kg carcase weight (cwt), while the Trade Lamb Indicator also fell.
• The Mutton Indicator declined 28¢ to 644¢/kg cwt, with quality issues driving prices down at key saleyards.
• Lamb slaughter rose to 445,799 head, while sheep slaughter fell to 159,701 head, with year-on-year sheep slaughter down 8%.

These figures reflect a market balancing strong processing demand with seasonal shifts in livestock quality and availability.

Original data sourced from Meat & Livestock Australia 

UK Cattle and Sheep Market Update: Week Ending 21 June 2025

June 27, 2025  – The latest market data from AHDB shows mixed trends across the UK cattle and sheep sectors for the week ending 21 June 2025

• Prime cattle deadweight prices fell across all categories, with the all-prime average price at 633p/kg—still 157p/kg higher than the same week in 2024 and 202p/kg above the five-year average.
• The heifer category saw the largest weekly drop, down 9p/kg, while steers and young bulls fell by 8p/kg and 5p/kg, respectively.
• Cull cow prices also declined by 7p/kg to 503p/kg.
• Prime cattle slaughter dropped by 2,000 head to 31,700, bringing the year-to-date total to 807,200 head, down 3.2% from last year.
• Store cattle prices rose slightly, with native steers (12–18 months) averaging £1,335.70/head and native heifers £1,129/head.

Sheep Market Overview

• The NSL SQQ lamb price increased by 25p/kg to 749p/kg.
• Clean sheep slaughter rose to 182,400 head, following a dip during the Qurbani period.
• Year-to-date slaughter is now 5.2 million head, up 3.8% year-on-year.
• New season lambs accounted for 79% of finished live market throughput, indicating the end of carryover supply.

These figures reflect a dynamic market shaped by seasonal shifts, export demand, and evolving supply patterns.

Original data sourced from AHDB.

Stornoway Abattoir Faces Uncertain Future Amid Declining Use and Rising Costs

June 25, 2025  – Concerns are growing over the future of the UK’s only local authority-run abattoir, located in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, as usage continues to decline and operational costs rise. The facility, operated by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, has struggled to meet its income targets, falling short of its £184,000 goal last year.

At a recent meeting of the local authority’s transport and infrastructure committee, Lochs councillor Angus Morrison urged crofters to make greater use of the abattoir, warning: “It is either use it or lose it.” He acknowledged the difficulty of raising slaughter fees—set to increase by 5%, bringing the cost of processing a sheep to around £44—but emphasized the need for sustainability.

The committee also heard that some crofters are opting to slaughter livestock at home, bypassing the facility altogether. Additionally, a decline in sheep numbers across the Western Isles is believed to be contributing to the reduced throughput.

Councillor Donald Crichton highlighted that bureaucratic hurdles are discouraging crofters from expanding their flocks, further impacting the viability of the abattoir. Last year, the council used £50,000 from Crown Estate funding to support the site, and delayed its seasonal opening to save an additional £14,000.

The future of the Stornoway abattoir remains uncertain, with local leaders calling for community support to preserve this vital rural service.

Based on reporting by BBC News.