NASDA Calls for Renewed Federal Support to Sustain State Meat Inspection Programs
TL;DR: During the 2024 Winter Policy Conference, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) highlighted the urgent need for renewed federal support for state meat and poultry inspection programs. NASDA members unanimously agreed on an action item that seeks to secure a full federal cost-share, underscoring the critical role these programs play in […]
Global Pork Market Faces Headwinds in Q1 2024 Amid Production Slowdown and Trade Challenges
TL;DR: As we step into the initial months of 2024, the pork sector is threading through a maze of complexities. The latest insights from Rabobank’s Global Pork Quarterly sketch a scenario where the industry’s pulse slows, attributed largely to a shrinkage in the breeding grounds that form the backbone of pork production. This scenario is […]
New Zealand’s Red Meat Sector Faces Economic Headwinds Despite Volume Growth
TL;DR: In 2023, New Zealand’s red meat industry encountered a paradoxical situation where, despite an uptick in export volumes, financial returns diminished, reflecting the challenges posed by softening global markets. According to the Meat Industry Association, the combined returns from sheepmeat and beef exports totalled $10.2 billion, marking an 11% decline from the previous year. […]
US Beef Exports to South Korea Soar, Hitting Record Consumer Confidence
TL;DR: US beef exports to South Korea have been thriving, setting records in recent years. The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) has unveiled optimistic findings, indicating a bright future for these exports. In a significant leap of consumer confidence, December saw a record high of over 70% among Korean consumers regarding US-imported beef, a stark […]
Industry Leaders Rally Against EATS Act, Defending State Agricultural Regulations
TL;DR: In a significant move, over two dozen key players in the poultry and meat processing, marketing, and distribution sectors have collectively voiced their opposition to the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act through an open letter addressed to Congress. This act, aimed at centralising regulatory authority over agriculture within state and local governments sans […]
Australian Cattle and Sheep Market Weekly Summary for Early February 2024
TL;DR: In the first week of February 2024, Australia’s cattle and sheep markets experienced varied trends, with significant movements in both pricing and slaughter numbers. Here’s a breakdown of the key developments across the sectors: Cattle Market Dynamics: The cattle market presented a mixed picture, with feeder and restocker steers seeing price increases, while other […]
Australian Red Meat Exports Kick Off 2024 with a Bang, Surging to Meet US Demand
TL;DR: As the new year unfolds, Australia’s red meat sector has hit the ground running, showcasing a significant uptick in exports across the board. January’s figures reveal a robust 41% increase compared to the same period in 2023, with a total of 133,146 swt of red meat shipped overseas. This surge is attributed to heightened […]
US Cattle Numbers Show Slight Decline, USDA Reports
TL;DR: In a recent update from Washington, the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reveal a modest decrease in the country’s cattle population. As of January 1, 2024, the count stood at 87.2 million head of cattle and calves, marking a 2% reduction from the previous year. Detailed Insights […]
EU Reverses Pesticide Reduction Plan Amid Farmer Protests
TL;DR: In a significant turn of events, the European Commission has backed down from its ambitious plan to cut pesticide use by half by 2030 across its 27 Member States. This decision came in the wake of strong opposition from farmers across the European Union, who argued that the proposed Sustainable Use Regulation (SUR), part […]
2023 Witnesses Unprecedented Surge in US Pork Exports Amidst Mixed Fortunes in Meat Trade
TL;DR: In a year of fluctuating fortunes within the meat export sector, the United States set a new benchmark in pork exports, achieving an all-time high in 2023. Detailed figures released by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and analysed by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) reveal that pork exports not only flourished in […]
