U.S. Meat Exports to China Plummet in April Amidst Trade Tensions

UNITED STATES – June 7, 2025 – U.S. beef and pork exports to China saw a drastic decline in April 2025, significantly impacting overall U.S. meat export figures for the month. This sharp reduction, according to data released by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) and reported by AgWeb.com, is largely attributed to ongoing trade disputes and high tariffs.

Beef exports to China saw a substantial 70% drop, while pork exports to the country fell by 35%. This significant downturn comes as U.S. beef exporters await China’s renewal of establishment registrations for numerous U.S. beef plants and cold storage facilities, the majority of which expired in mid-March. This administrative hurdle, combined with existing trade tensions and tariffs, has created considerable challenges for American meat producers targeting the Chinese market.

Despite the pronounced difficulties faced in the Chinese market, the USMEF report highlighted a more positive outlook for overall U.S. meat exports. Demand from other international markets remains robust, with record-breaking demand elsewhere, partially offsetting the steep decline in trade with China. This indicates a diversification of U.S. meat export destinations and continued strong global appetite for American protein, even as one major market presents significant hurdles.

Australian Livestock Markets See Stable Cattle Prices, Soaring Mutton, and High Cattle Throughput

AUSTRALIA – June 6, 2025 – Australia’s cattle market remained stable in the week ending June 6, reflecting national confidence, while mutton prices surged to their highest levels since 2022. The sheep market saw mixed results, with lamb slaughter volumes undergoing a seasonal decline.

According to the latest Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) weekly market wrap, cattle prices held steady. Yardings, the number of livestock presented at saleyards, increased by 8,345 head during the week, reaching a total of 72,045 head. This indicates a robust movement of cattle through the supply chain.

In the sheep sector, mutton prices notably rose, achieving their highest levels since 2022. This strong performance in mutton occurred despite a more mixed outlook for the lamb market. Lamb slaughter volumes, however, reflected a seasonal decline in supply, with a national throughput of 460,626 head, representing an 8% fall for the week.

Conversely, cattle slaughter volumes reached a new high for the current cycle, recording their highest volume since 2019, with a total of 153,100 head processed. This sustained high level of cattle processing underscores ongoing strong demand from the processing sector. The MLA report provides a comprehensive overview of the dynamic shifts within Australia’s red meat industry.

Massive Paraguayan Beef Farm, La Huella, Enters Global Market

PARAGUAY – June 6, 2025 – La Huella Farm, a colossal beef operation in Paraguay renowned for its low production costs, has officially entered the market for sale, according to The Fencepost. This extensive agricultural enterprise represents a significant opportunity within the global cattle industry.

Spanning an impressive 44,000 hectares of owned land, with additional acreage managed through leases and agreements, La Huella is a fully integrated cattle system. The farm currently accommodates approximately 50,000 head of cattle, a robust herd that includes 18,000 breeding cows primarily of Brahman, Zebu, and Brangus breeds.

La Huella operates a comprehensive full-cycle cattle system, specializing in breeding and supplying high-quality calves. The farm is also deeply invested in advanced genetic development programs, aimed at enhancing herd performance and meat quality. A key component of its operations is a self-managed feedlot, contributing to its efficient production model.

Emphasizing sustainable practices, La Huella employs advanced grazing techniques to manage its vast pastures responsibly. The farm leverages hybrid cattle breeds, chosen for their superior meat quality and exceptional adaptability to the local environment. Furthermore, demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship and operational independence, the farm’s facilities rely on solar energy and implement rainwater harvesting for its water needs. This combination of scale, efficiency, and sustainable practices positions La Huella as a unique offering in the international agricultural market.

East Ayrshire Council Considers In-House Butcher to Boost School Meal Quality

EAST AYRSHIRE, SCOTLAND – June 6, 2025 – East Ayrshire Council is exploring a proposal to establish its own in-house butchery department, an initiative aimed at simultaneously cutting costs and enhancing the quality of school meals across the region.

The innovative idea has been put forward by Conservative Councillor John McFadzean. He argues that by purchasing whole animals and undertaking the butchering process internally, the council could produce healthier meat products for school canteens.

Councillor McFadzean believes this approach would lead to hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, and pies with significantly fewer preservatives and lower fat content.

While council officers acknowledged the potential benefits that such a move could bring, they also raised concerns regarding the practical feasibility of directly operating a council-run butchery department. Instead, officers suggested that a collaborative approach involving the business sector might be a more viable alternative.

East Ayrshire Council is already actively investing in the food and drink industry, including the development of a production facility that features a dedicated butchery kitchen. This investment forms part of the broader Ayrshire Manufacturing Investment Corridor (AMIC) project, indicating an existing commitment to supporting local food production and processing capabilities. The debate now continues on the most effective way to integrate fresh, high-quality meat into the local school meal programme.

Biggest Ever UK Red Meat Trade Mission Underscores Global Demand for British Produce

LONDON, UK – June 5, 2025 – The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has successfully hosted its largest ever inward trade mission for red meat, signalling a robust global appetite for British beef, lamb, and pork. The four-day event brought together a significant delegation of international buyers eager to explore the quality and capabilities of the UK’s red meat sector.

According to AHDB, twenty-eight influential buyers travelled from diverse regions including the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East to participate in the mission. The programme provided these international guests with a comprehensive insight into British farming and processing, featuring visits to farms and processing facilities located in the West Country.

The primary objective of the mission was to showcase the high standards of British beef, lamb, and pork, while simultaneously facilitating direct connections between international buyers and UK exporters. Such direct engagement is crucial for forging new trade relationships and expanding existing market access.

The event concluded with a gala dinner held in London, where attendees engaged in further discussions on market access opportunities and the potential for future trade arrangements. This mission builds on a strong foundation, as UK red meat exports reached a value of £1.77 billion last year, largely propelled by significant beef shipments to Europe and other global destinations. The success of this mission highlights the UK’s commitment to growing its agricultural exports and meeting international demand for its high-quality produce.

Global Beef Market Faces Uncertainty Amid Production Declines and Trade Disruptions

The global beef industry is navigating a period of significant uncertainty, with Rabobank forecasting a 2% contraction in global beef production for the remainder of 2025. This downturn is attributed to herd reductions in major producing countries, marking the first global supply decline since the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the first half of 2025, cattle markets have experienced upward trends, particularly in Europe, where prices have surged due to tightening supplies. However, the market faces additional challenges from geopolitical factors, including the reintroduction of tariffs and trade policy shifts under the current U.S. administration, leading to increased volatility in global beef trade.

Amid these challenges, Australia stands out as a positive exception. Favourable seasonal conditions have bolstered cattle numbers, resulting in near-record beef production. This positions Australia advantageously in export markets, especially as other major producers experience declines. Rabobank anticipates that Australian cattle prices will remain relatively stable throughout 2025, supported by strong global demand.

Conversely, South American producers are increasingly focusing on exports to meet rising global demand, potentially at the expense of their domestic markets. In the United States, the beef industry is entering a rebuilding phase, with expectations of higher prices across all cattle and beef markets. This necessitates strategic adjustments by producers and processors to manage elevated costs and limited availability.

Overall, the global beef market is contending with a complex array of factors, including supply constraints, trade disruptions, and shifting production dynamics. Stakeholders across the industry will need to adapt to these evolving conditions to maintain stability and meet global demand.

Information sourced and adapted from Rabobank and Agriland.ie.

Teys Family to Sell Remaining Stake in Meat Processing Giant to Joint Venture Partner Cargill

Brisbane, Australia – June 5, 2025 – The Teys family, a prominent name in the Australian meat processing industry for generations, has announced its decision to exit the sector. Teys Investments Pty Ltd will sell its 50% share in Teys Australia and Teys USA to its longstanding joint venture partner, the US-based global food and agriculture giant Cargill. Upon completion, Cargill will assume 100% ownership of the operations.

The move marks the end of an era for the Teys family, whose involvement in the Australian meat industry dates back to 1946. The family partnered with Cargill in 2011 to form the Teys Australia joint venture, which grew to become the second-largest beef processor in the country.

According to a joint statement, the Teys family, with its diversified shareholder base, determined that this was the opportune moment to transfer its interests to Cargill. The decision is said to ensure continuity for Teys’ employees, partners, and livestock producers.

“The Teys family is immensely proud to have grown our business into a premier provider of beef to our customers and Australian families,” said Brad Teys, Executive Chairman of Teys. “Cargill has been instrumental in our transformation into a world-class food company. We are confident they are the best owner to grow the business into the future.”

Jon Nash, Executive Vice President and Leader of Cargill’s Food Enterprise, commented, “As family-owned businesses, both Cargill and Teys share the same commitment to nourishing Australia and the rest of the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. We are grateful to the Teys family for this opportunity to continue working alongside Australian livestock producers.”

The transaction encompasses Teys Australia’s network of beef processing plants located in Queensland (Beenleigh, Biloela, Lakes Creek), New South Wales (Tamworth, Wagga Wagga), and South Australia (Naracoorte), as well as Teys USA, its North American sales and distribution arm.

The completion of the sale is contingent upon customary conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is anticipated to be finalized in the second half of 2025. Cargill has indicated it will appoint a new CEO for Teys in due course and will collaborate closely with Brad Teys to facilitate a smooth transition. It is understood that Teys will likely continue to operate as a distinct entity within Cargill’s broader operations.

Financial details of the transaction have not been publicly disclosed.

Surrey Farmers Face Mounting Challenges as Local Abattoirs Close

SURREY, ENGLAND – June 4, 2025 – Farmers in Surrey are grappling with a growing crisis as local abattoirs continue to close, forcing them to seek increasingly distant options for processing their livestock, according to a BBC report. The closures are raising significant concerns about the resilience of the local food supply chain and the future of traditional farming practices.

James Windridge, who heads farming operations at the Hampton Estate in Seale near Farnham, highlighted the immediate impact, revealing his struggle to find a suitable local alternative after his usual abattoir ceased operations four months ago. This sentiment is echoed by the owner of one of the few remaining small abattoirs in south-east England, who expressed serious apprehensions about the industry’s future viability.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) acknowledged the crucial role that small abattoirs play in maintaining a robust and resilient food supply chain. Despite this recognition, industry figures are calling for more tangible support.

Luke Smith, who operates Down Land Traditional Meats, emphasised the urgent need for increased financial assistance from the government to ensure the survival of these vital slaughterhouses. The government has stated its commitment to collaborating with the meat processing sector and noted its ongoing investment of £5 billion into farming. However, for many local farmers, the immediate challenge remains the accessibility of local processing facilities as the number of available abattoirs continues to dwindle.

UK Achieves “Negligible” BSE Risk Status, Boosting Farm Sector and Trade

UNITED KINGDOM – June 2, 2025 – The United Kingdom’s international risk status for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has been officially downgraded to “negligible” by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). This pivotal change is expected to deliver a substantial boost to the UK’s food and farm sector, opening up significant new trade opportunities globally.

According to Gov.uk, this improved risk status for British beef and bovine products means more countries are likely to open their markets to UK exports. Furthermore, the abattoir and meat processing industry stands to benefit from reduced operational burdens and considerable financial savings due to subsequent adjustments in control measures.

The UK’s success in achieving this negligible risk rating is a testament to its exceptionally high standards in biosecurity and the rigorous controls that have been diligently implemented over several decades. Farming Minister Zeichner highlighted the positive impact on trade and animal health, while UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss underscored the robust food safety systems in place. Natasha Smith, Deputy Director of Food Policy at the Food Standards Agency, also reinforced the commitment to maintaining these high standards.

The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) has already noted the potential financial upside of this downgrade. For instance, the ability to recover mesenteric fat, previously restricted due to BSE concerns, could alone generate approximately £10 million per year for the industry. This downgrading marks a significant milestone, reinforcing confidence in British beef and paving the way for expanded international trade.

Asda Faces Farmer Backlash Over Uruguayan Beef Imports

UK – May 31, 2025 – Supermarket giant Asda is facing significant criticism from British farmers following its decision to stock beef imported from Uruguay under the “Grass and Grill” brand, which is owned by Hilton Foods, as reported by Farmers Weekly.

The move has drawn outrage from figures within the UK agricultural community, who view it as a betrayal of their interests. Stuart Roberts, a prominent Hertfordshire farmer, lambasted Asda’s decision, calling it a “glaring hypocrisy” and “misleading” to consumers. He highlighted that the supermarket’s actions contradict its stated emphasis on sustainability and support for British farmers.

In response to the growing backlash, Asda issued a statement clarifying its position. The retailer asserted that its fresh beef range continues to be sourced exclusively from the UK and Ireland. It emphasized that all products are clearly labelled with their country of origin, enabling consumers to make informed choices. Asda also stated that the Uruguayan steaks represent a temporary offering from a branded partner.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has weighed in on the debate, underscoring the critical need for clearer and more robust food labelling regulations. Meanwhile, the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers suggested that Asda’s decision reflects its strategy to maintain competitive pricing in a fiercely contested retail environment. The controversy underscores the ongoing tensions within the food supply chain regarding sourcing, pricing, and support for domestic producers.