Page 134 of articles about pork in Swine news

While during the first six months of the year we are still seeing adjustments in pork production due to a difficult 2009, with national pork production shrinkage of 6% in volume and a decrease in exports, internal consumption is up by 5%.

The latest data from the European Commission on the principal pork importing countries show Russia as the number one importer, reaching 383.285 tons during the first half of this year, a 16% increase from the same period last year.

According to the latest figures published by the Spanish Minister of Agriculture on swine production during the first 6 months of this year, pork meat production has been stable, reaching 1.715.515 t, which represents a slight increase of 0, 19% with respect to the same period last year, while on the other hand, the number of animals slaughtered (19.972.386) has declined by 2,10% between January and June or 2010, with respect to the same period in 2009 (20.400.063).

A shift in consumer demand for meat products has caused pork prices to drop by as much as P20 per kilo, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Monday.

President Obama is being urged by the National Pork Producers Council and 36 state pork producer organizations to work with Congress and the Mexican government to resolve the dispute over allowing Mexican trucks to haul goods into the United States.

The main production, slaughtering and distribution associations in the country (VPF, FNP, CRP de Bretagne, Coop de France, SNIV-SNCP, FNICGV y FCD) have signed an agreement to request that pork meat, as well as pork products, contain an indication of origin, whatever that may be.

According to the decision of the Ministry, in September and October 2010, limit prices for beef increased to 4% per month, up to 3% per month for pork.

The latest data on pork exports during the first half of 2010 place Germany as the principal exporter, with 318.283 tons exported, 21% more than during the same period last year, followed by Denmark (306.476 tons, 15% increase), France (112.565 tons, 25% increase), Holland (105.880 tons, 9% increase) and Spain (105.472 tons, 15% increase).

Half (49%) of shoppers across four European countries expect to be buying more food and grocery products with ethical credentials in the future, according to new consumer research published by international food and grocery analysts IGD.

A strong second half to the year could see Ireland’s pork exports to Japan exceed 4,000 tonnes, surpassing 2008 volumes. The recovery in Irish pork sales to Japan has defied a challenging market which has seen overall per capita consumption decline.

A very solid June performance allowed U.S. Pork exports to finish the first half of 2010 with strong momentum. According to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), pork exports of 164,000 metric tons (361.6 million pounds) were 24 percent higher than June 2009. Pork export value was $316.4 million, up 34 percent.

Post forecasts pork production to increase in 2011 at an average rate of nearly 3 percent. USDA projections reflect current optimism of pork exporters for increasing exports during next year and assume that the worst of the global financial turmoil has past. However, traders remain cautious about the impact of the valuation of the Brazilian currency and access to credit for main importers, such as Russia.

The total pork export during the first half of this year increased by 143.000 tons with respect to the same period last year, reaching a total of 1.291.846 tons, equalling an increase of 12%.

The food processing industry is counted among the fastest growing industries in China. The industry has been growing at a double digit rate on account of rapid economic growth and rising disposable income that has created strong demand for high quality processed food. Changing food consumption pattern and growing appetite for variety of new taste make this industry lucrative for new as well as existing players.

Russian pork imports during the first half of 2010 jumped 15% year-on-year, to 308,900 tonnes swt, driven by a recover in demand and tighter local production.

Pham Duc Binh, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Animal Feed Association, said Vietnam will import 1.25 million tonnes, the same as last year.