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The UK exported 4,200 tonnes of fresh and frozen beef in February, 59% (6,000 tonnes) less than the same month a year ago but up 81% on January volumes.
After the exceptionally low level of trade in January, exports to most markets rose compared to the previous month, with the largest growth in volumes seen in shipments to Ireland, Hong Kong and France.
However, compared to February last year exports were lower to most markets, with shipments to the EU down 78% at 1,700 tonnes. Shipments to Ireland (-2,300 tonnes) and the Netherlands (-1,700 tonnes) accounted for the majority of the overall fall. Volumes also fell to France, Poland and Italy.
One of the few countries to receive more beef from the UK during February was the Philippines, with volumes up 76% year-on-year at 570 tonnes. More beef was also sent to South Africa, Senegal and Liberia.
A 21% fall in the average price of these exports brought the total value of February shipments to £10.3 million, down 68% year-on-year.
The UK imported 11,600 tonnes of fresh and frozen beef in February, 40% (7,600 tonnes) lower than the same month a year ago and 7% lower than January 2021.
Lower imports from Ireland accounted for the majority of the overall annual drop, with Irish volumes totalling 8,700 tonnes for the month. Volumes from Poland and the Netherlands also fell, by 28% and 42%, respectively.
While volumes fell, the average price of imports rose by 11% year-on-year in February. This meant total imports were valued at £49.7 million, down 33% from a year ago.
In the week ending 14 April, the GB liveweight OSL price moved up again, by another 4.7p to average 312.3p/kg. This puts the price 96p above the price achieved in the same week last year, and over £1 above the five-year average for the week.
The GB liveweight NSL price averaged 346.0p/kg, down 14.8p on the week before, but up 82.0p on the same week a year ago. Reports suggest that trade for spring lambs has eased somewhat following Easter.
Total throughputs of OSL and NSL lambs at GB auction marts were estimated at 117,900 head for the week, up 22% from the week before and up 48% from the same week a year ago. This is partially due to a return to full trading after Easter. An estimated 9,000 new season lambs came through GB marts in the week, while hoggets made up 92% of throughputs.
Cull ewes averaged £105.74/head, down £4.32 on the week.
BRAZIL: Egg exports keep up 142.5% in Q1
Brazilian egg exports (considering fresh and processed eggs) maintained a strong positive pace at the end of the first quarter, informs the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA). The volume exported in the period reached 3,773 thousand tons, a number 142.5% higher than that obtained in the same period of 2020, when 1,556 thousand tons were exported. Accumulated revenue from shipments in the sector reached US $ 5.01 million, a number 154.3% higher than that obtained in the first quarter of 2020, with US $ 2 million.
The United Arab Emirates were the main destination for exports, with 72.9% of the total shipped by Brazil in the first quarter. In all, there were 2,799 thousand tons (+ 255.1%), generating revenue of US $ 2.974 million (+ 265.1%).
Plant-based burger company Impossible Foods has hired Steve Turner from Apple, where he was global executive creative director.
Turner is now Impossible Foods' chief experience officer, a new role, and will lead the company's marketing.
He worked at Apple for 11 years, often alongside Apple founder Steve Jobs on some of the company's most iconic tech, including the iPod and iPhone.
Turner now reports to the CEO and founder of Impossible Foods, Dr Pat Brown. He would oversee all aspects of the startup's marketing and customer experience, Impossible Foods said.
China’s first-quarter pork production rose 31.9% from a year earlier to 13.69 million tonnes, data showed on Friday, the highest quarterly volume in two years. The surge comes after huge investments in rebuilding China’s hog herd since the deadly African swine fever disease ravaged farms in 2018 and 2019.
China’s pig herd increased to 415.95 million head at the end of March, a 29.5% rise on the year, and up from 406.5 million at the end of December, the National Bureau of Statistics said.
FRANCE: Pork producers join forces
Ten pork producer organizations have come together to form the Association of Producers' Organizations (PDO) Porc Grand Ouest . With the merger, which comprises almost half of the French pig farmers, the farmers want to increase their market power. This project, led by young farmers in western France, is the first in Europe.
The purpose of the AOP Porc Grand Ouest is to strengthen the market power of farmers who are members of producer organizations. This strengthening also aims to ensure a response to market needs and the expectations of consumers and citizens. The AOP Porc Grand Ouest is part of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. It will act with the aim of obtaining operational programs to co-finance the structuring of projects, in particular for the modernization of farms.
GERMANY: Support for companies in ASF areas
Brandenburg's Ministry of Agriculture supports businesses with additional burdens from the ASF with a new guideline and the possibility of compensating for the additional costs.
As a result of the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in wild boars in September 2020, many companies in the restriction zones have problems marketing and selling their products. Pig-keeping farms are particularly affected, for which additional regulations apply under veterinary law and which have to accept higher transport costs for slaughter. The Brandenburg Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Climate Protection has now announced that affected companies will soon be able to have the additional costs reimbursed up to a maximum of 20,000 euros per company.
PepsiCo Foods Canada and Maple Leaf Foods Inc. announced an exclusive agreement for PepsiCo Foods Canada to distribute Schneiders Pepperettes snack-size premium meat sticks in Canada. PepsiCo Foods Canada will sell, distribute and merchandise Schneiders Pepperettes snack-size premium meat sticks in grocery, convenience and gas, and foodservice outlets across Canada beginning Oct. 3.
SOUTH AFRICA: Bird flu outbreak confirmed
The poultry industry was on high alert after an outbreak of avian influenza was confirmed in a commercial layer flock on the East Rand of Johannesburg.
The South African Poultry Association (Sapa) said the farm was quarantined and that the N-type would be established after conclusive testing at Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute.
This is the first outbreak of avian influenza (H5) on a commercial farm in South Africa since the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N8) in 2017, which had a significant effect on the layer industry and also marginally affected the broiler industry.
USA: Atlast Raises $40M to Expand Production of Whole Cut Plant-Based Meat
Atlast Food Co., the mycelium food company growing the future of plant-based meats, today announced a $40M Series A round to develop and supply whole cut plant-based meat to partners around the globe, including directly to consumers through its own brand MyEats. Viking Global Investors led the round with participation from 40 North, AiiM Partners, Senator Investment Group, Stray Dog Capital, Footprint Coalition Ventures, and others. Also joining were the leaders and founders of food and CPG companies, including Applegate, Stonyfield, and Whole Foods. This funding will support the further development and scaling of this technology and team.
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