Pork demand fell about 10% in the third quarter from the same time last year, according to data analyzed in a recent pork industry webinar by Lee Schulz, an economist and professor at Iowa State University. Even though pork prices are no longer rising, they remain at historic highs that consumers aren’t willing to pay.

The pig feed sector was most severely affected in 2023, experiencing a further decline of almost 2.5 million tons.

European countries have substantially reduced sales of veterinary antibiotics, which translates into a lower risk of bacteria becoming resistant in people and animals.

Poultry and aquaculture set for modest growth as beef, pork and wild catch seafood to contract.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan asserts that the use of antibiotics for growth promotion in livestock has been prohibited in Vietnam. From 2026, their usage will be permitted only in specific cases under supervision.

The Commission has proposed the biggest reform of EU animal welfare rules during transport in 20 years.

Several restrictions have been removed in the newly defined outer area.

The following dynamic graph shows us how pork production (in millions of tons) has evolved over the last 25 years as well as the rankings by country and how these have been changing.

Below is a graph from FAO – Pig 333 that clearly shows the global increase in meat production over the last twenty years.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has launched a nationwide crackdown on substandard agricultural machinery following media reports uncovering a scheme to exploit government subsidies.

One of the best biosecurity practices on pig farms is to not allow any vehicles on the farm. Instead, feed and other inputs should be loaded in a demarcation zone — a designated area between the outer and inner perimeters of the farm with controlled access.  

Italy leads European countries in decreasing the use of antimicrobials.

Exports resume for canned beef and pork and beef and pork extracts.

In the third quarter of 2023 alone, Vietnam exported 5.78 thousand tons of meat and meat products, worth 28.37 million USD and imported 195.09 thousand tons of meat and meat products, worth 397.16 million USD.

There are many bacteria and viruses that affect suckling piglets. They cause various clinical signs, including neurological and respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, etc. Usually, we cannot identify the causative agent of the disease based on clinical signs alone.

African swine fever (ASF) spread from Europe to China in 2018—one of the largest animal disease incidents ever. The outbreak reduced China’s pork supply, and Chinese pork prices more than doubled to reach record levels.

ASF cases have been increasing since the beginning of August and are expected to continue in the near future.

The experience of biosafety audits of Association Ukrainian Pig Breeders shows that the organization of animal transshipment to external transport is usually a critical issue. Many producers have difficulties in avoiding overlap between farm personnel and the driver. 

During the inaugural meeting of the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience, President Biden and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced significant investments aimed at strengthening the U.S. food and agriculture supply chain. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) intends to expand markets for agricultural producers and ultimately lower food costs for consumers.

Pork Commentary, November 27, 2023, Jim Long, President-CEO, Genesus Inc.