World Hog news:

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Monday, March 12, 2012
Pigs Made Heavier with Risky Chemical Use
VIET NAM - Agricultural authorities in a southern Vietnamese province have asked police to investigate the use of an illegal chemical to produce super-heavy pigs, while inspectors have been accused of allowing culprits to continue.


According to ThanhNien News.com, two animal drug stores in Dong Nai Province, a major pig supplier to slaughterhouses in neighboring Ho Chi Minh City, temporarily had their licenses revoked for reportedly selling the banned growth-promoting agent.

The punishing actions were made following a series of reports by Thanh Nien last week, which said the carcinogen keeps water in the animal’s body and swells its muscle fibers.

An experienced pig dealer in Dong Nai said a pig gains 1.5-2 kilograms a day when the chemical is used. It is usually used for a 15-day period, he said.

“All pig breeders use the super-heavy chemical, from small households to large farms,” said the dealer who asked to be identified only as T. He said he once used the chemical as well, but quit after finding out it was harmful to humans.

“Since it's become known that the chemical is harmful to humans, people just use it more secretly.”

He said the chemical has to be used at the right time so that the pigs are ready to be sold in no more than two weeks.

“Otherwise, they will just collapse since the chemical makes their bones fragile enough to break when they walk around,” T said.

Ulcerations will also appear on the body of the animal, he said.

According to several pig dealers, the substance is smuggled from China at VND10 million (US$500) a kilogram. It is mixed with animal feed powder at a 1:50 ratio before being sold to farmers at VND500,000 a kilogram, earning sellers a good profit of VND15 million a kilo.

The dealers said the chemical is not only popular in Dong Nai, but in Ho Chi Minh City as well.

Tests conducted by the HCMC Animal Health Department found the substance contains a β- agonist growth-promoting agent.

Dr Tran Van Ky of the southern branch of the Vietnam Association of Food Safety Technology said eating pork containing the chemical will increase the heart rate and blood pressure, causing digestive disorders and various other diseases.

Popular forms of the agent are clenbuterol and salbutamol, which are used to treat asthma and lung conditions, but must be with care.

Nguyen Xuan Duong, deputy head of the Husbandry Department at Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the chemical made headlines in 2007 when some animal feed factories were found adding the substance to their products.

The situation cooled down over the next two years, or at least appeared to, as authorities beefed up surveillance.

But it returned in 2011 with surging demand, Duong said.

“It’s difficult to control the use of banned substances in husbandry. The problem cannot be solved quickly by a single agency,” he said.

While it is taking time for the ministry to solve the problem, consumers are double cheated as local animal health officials are allowing Dong Nai slaughterhouses to deal in pigs that have ingested the chemical.

An unnamed worker at a slaughter house in the province’s capital town Bien Hoa said workers stamp pigs as safe without checking them and "the animal health guys just come so they’re present. They don’t bother to check anything.”

Dong Nai Animal Health Department has rebuked two animal health officials stationed at the slaughterhouse and others involved in skipping real inspections.

A local reader, Quynh Nhu, wrote to Thanh Nien after the incident that “Vietnam’s laws are yet to include strong punishment for unethical businesses, or irresponsible officials, for whom there’s always just a rebuke.”

Meanwhile Lam Thi Hieu, a local in Dong Nai, said “People do not know what to believe anymore, when those representing the government and getting paid with people’s tax money are being so irresponsible.”

Experts recommend that anyone buying pork must watch for cuts of meat in which the layer of fat between the skin and muscle is super-thin, as this occurs in pigs treated with the chemical that swells muscles and thins the fat.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Brazil's 2012 Pork Production Forecast to Rise
BRAZIL - Pork production in 2012 is forecast to increase by 3 per cent. Projections reflect the current optimism of the pork industry for a sustained, strong domestic consumption combined with a recovery in the export market.


According to the USDA's Brazil Livestock and Products Semi-annual 2012, a major factor concerning Brazilian hog producers is the recent increase in feed prices, especially that of corn.

The increase in corn prices is likely to squeeze producers' margins, but it is hoped that the federal government will interfere in the market with subsidized corn auctions to protect the industry.

Pork exports are expected to rebound in 2012 due to high demand from major importers such as Hong Kong, Ukraine, Angola and Singapore. Exporters also have their sights set on China and the US. Trade sources believe that exports to China will only be significant in 2013.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Thursday, March 15, 2012
Genesus Global Market Report - Viet Nam
VIET NAM - According to calculations by Department of Livestock, meat production in January across the country continued to rise from 8-10 per cent, estimated at about 440 thousand tons of total meat (pork will be represent about 74 per cent of this total), writes Ron Lane, Senior Consultant for Genesus China.
 

Genesus Global Market Report
Prices for the week of March 4, 2012
Country Domestic price
(own currency) US dollars
(Liveweight a lb)
USA (Iowa-Minnesota) 85.86¢ USD/lb carcass 63.53¢
Cananda (Ontario) 1.57¢ CAD/kg carcass 57.70¢
Mexico (DF) 22.0 MXN/kg liveweight 78.85¢
Brazil (South Region) 2.36 BRL/kg liveweight 58.84¢
Russia 95 RUB/kg liveweight $1.45
China 15.37 RMB/kg liveweight $1.10
Spain 1.29 EUR/kg liveweight 76.67¢

According to the Animal Husbandry Department and for 2011, total production of meat for the country was estimated around 4.31 million tons, up 7.7 per cent compared to 2010. During 2011, Viet Nam imported about 107,000 tons of meat from various countries, but mainly from the US (about 3.5 per cent of total meat production), but this is up 30.5 per cent over 2010. Year on year (January 2011 to January 2012),the accumulated total imports of meat is about 115,000 tons (including meat and livestock products), accounting for nearly 3 per cent of meat in the market. Imports do not have a large impact of price.

During the months of October and November, pig prices declined. In December pig prices showed signs of rising again as market hog prices were as high as 55,000 VND/kg to 57,000 VND/kg ($ 2.64 to $ 2.74 US/kg). On average, market hog prices rose about 10.8 per cent in December as compared with the previous month. Regionally, in the North, market pig price averaged 56,500 VND/kg ($ 2.72 US/kg). In the South, market pig prices were about 52,000 VND/kg ($ 2.50 US/kg). This month, the pig prices in the north area was about 53,500 VND/kg ($ 2.57 US/kg), down compared to Dec 2011, while in the South, pig prices had an average selling price range from 48,000 to 52,000 VND/kg ($ 2.31 to $ 2.50 US/kg).

In January, the price of some animal feed ingredients decreased slightly from December, 2011: soybean meal 9,975 VND/kg ($ 0.48US/kg) (down 5.6 per cent), rice bran 7,455 VND/kg ($ 0.36US/kg) (down 11.3 per cent), lysine 55,650 VND/kg ($ 2.68 US/kg)) (down 1.9 per cent) and fish meal 21,525 VND/kg ($ 1.03 US/kg) (down 4.7 per cent). Other materials were stable: corn 7,140 VND/kg ($ 0.34US/kg). Complete mixed feed for pigs from 60 kg to market weight was 9,271 VND/kg ($ 0.45/kg). This is up from December by 1.6 to 3 per cent. This would reflect extra cost for handling, grinding and processing.

February 2012
As reported by the Department of Livestock, meat production in February increased across the country, estimated at over 460 thousand tons of meat, (an increase of 4 per cent compared to the time before the New Year 2012-January).

In the North, the price of market pigs ranged from 54,500 to 56,000 VND/kg ($ 2.62 to 2.69 US/kg). In the South, pig prices showed an average selling price ranging from 47,000 to 53,000 VND/kg ($ 2.26 to $ 2.55 US/kg)

In February, the price of some animal feed ingredients decreased slightly from January: cassava 5,250 VND/kg ($ 0.25 US/kg) (down 2 per cent) and fish meal 19,425 VND/kg ($ 0.93 US/kg) (down 9.8 per cent). Prices of some raw materials increased slightly: corn 7,350 VND/kg ($ 0.35 US/kg) (up 2.9 per cent), lysine 56,700 VND/kg ($ 2.73 US/kg) (up 1.9 per cent). Other materials were stable: rice bran 7,455 VND/kg ($ 0.36 US/kg) and soybean meal 9,975 ($ 0.48/kg). Complete mixed feed for pigs from 60 kg to market weight was 9,282 VND/kg ($ 0.45/kg). This is up marginally from January.

Three major sources of feed ingredients for Viet Nam are Argentina (23.4 per cent), India (21.6 per cent) and the United States (10.5 per cent). Currently, India remains the largest source of imports, although the value of imports from all countries has decreased by 18.2 per cent over the same period last year (first 2 months of 2012). Italy and The United Arab Emirates have been showing strong growth in feed material exports to Viet Nam.

What to look for over the next few months
Currently, both Foot and Mouth and PRRS diseases have had little impact on the numbers of pigs marketed and or being found on the farm. In early 2012, the Veterinary Department had provided 85.6 million doses of vaccine from the national reserve fund to the provinces to control FMD. As well, incidences of PRRS have been minimal. The low incidence of these diseases, helps to stabilize the supply of market pigs and also helps farmers to increase the breeding stock retained for Spring/Summer farrowings.

Recently, consumer demand for pork has slowed down. In turn, the processors and supermarkets have provided scaled discounts to the consumer. For example, Viet Nam Industries Corporation Animal Products (Vissan) from the period to 15 March, has a 10 per cent reduction in the price of some specialty pork cuts (ham—83,000 VND/kg ($ 3.99 US/kg) down to 75,000 VND ($ 3.61 US/kg) and shoulders from 77,000 VND/kg ($ 3.70 US/kg) down to 69,000 VND/kg ($ 3.32US/kg). Each week, various pork cuts will be discounted up to 10 per cent to ensure the sale of most carcass cuts to the consumer.

Pig and pork prices have trended downwards since TET (Lunar New Year). Pig prices are currently around 47,500 VND/kg ($ 2.28 US/kg) for large scale farms. Small farmers report live pig prices averaging from 43,000 to 48,000 VND/kg ($ 2.07 to $ 2.31 US/kg). Lower market pig prices leads to lower pork prices. Another factor that reduces the cost of pork is that consumers have been listening to the news that farmers have been using “chemicals to get extra lean”. The exposure of the use of Clenbuterol in China, by Shuanghui (Shineway Meats) led to consumer reluctance to purchase pork. Since, TET, seafood, that can compete with pork, has lower prices and thus consumers can turn to seafood products. All these factors have hurt the consumption of pork.

According to Department of Livestock Bureau, until April or May, the price of pork in the market will be stable as there is a plentiful supply. (Mr. Hoang Kim Giao, director of the Department of Livestock Bureau said pork prices are on the decline and slow recovery back to pre-TET prices because supply outstrips demand)

Vissan has seen stability in the pig and pork prices for the past several weeks. Current prices should stay stable unless a disease epidemic occurs or if pigs start to move to the north region again like they did last year (price differential between the north and south part is close now, but last year, a shortage of pigs in the north drove the prices higher and in turn, the south brokers moved pigs to the north for better prices.)

As of 15 December, 2011, the preliminary estimate for pigs on the farm is around 27.1 million pigs. This is a 317,000 decrease (-0.73 per cent) over the same period in 2010 and up 755,000 since April 2011.

Consumer Price Index (CPI) in 2011 increased by 17.9 per cent over 2010. The forecast for 2012 shows predictions of 0.5 to 0.7 per cent increases per month for CPI. In January, CPI was 1 per cent over the previous month and up 17.27 per cent over the same period last year in 2011(only a slight increase in prices of food and catering services with food groups increasing by 1.41 per cent, of which, 0.32 per cent was attributed to meat). This was during TET and usually prices, especially food increase substantially. The good news is the country was not under pressure because of rising food prices. The slight increase in food prices remained much lower than other lunar new year thanks to many years of active reserve and the provinces producing more food thus creating a plentiful supply for the market. February CPI was 1.37 per cent over the previous month and increased 2.38 per cent compared to December 2011. Over the same period in 2011, CPI increased 16.44 per cent in February. Food items increased 2.73 per cent over the previous month with the contributions of beef increasing by 9.66 per cent, the price of pork increased 3.36 per cent, poultry increased by 3.38 per cent and milk was up 1.92 per cent.

Development Plan for the Animal Herd to 2020
Animals Units 2011 2015 202
Pig million 28.5 32.9 34.8
Sow million 4.4 4.8 4.8
Poultry million 350.5 356.0 450.0
Cattle million 6.5 9.5 12.5
Dairy Cow thousand 155.0 263.3 500.0
Buffalo million 2.9 3.0 3.0
Goat/Sheep million 1.4 2.3 3.0


Livestock Products and Commercial Feeds by 2020
Products Units 2011 2015 2020
Total Meat 1000 Tons 2,786 carcass 3,646 carcass 4,683 carcass
Pork 1000 Tons 2,258 carcass 2,768 carcass 3,495 carcass
Total Commercial Feed 1000 Tons 12,001 16,360 19,213



 

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Friday, March 16, 2012
Viet Nam Implored to Boycott Poisonous Pork
VIET NAM - Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat has called for increased publicity concerning the use of steroids used to produce unnaturally heavy pigs so that residents shun the hazardous meat.


“This is an evil crime and not simply a violation of law,” the Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper quoted him as saying.

An investigation by Thanh Nien found that the use of ?- agonist growth-promoting hormones to raise swine was widespread.

Popular forms of the agent are clenbuterol and salbutamol, which were designed to treat asthma and lung conditions, but only under strict supervision.

The drug can raise the heart rate and blood pressure, causing digestive disorders and various other diseases.

Nguyen Xuan Duong, deputy head of the Husbandry Department at Viet Nam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said eating pork containing the agent could lead to neurological problems and cancer.

A recent survey by Duong’s agency found a significant proportion of pork contained the dangerous chemicals.

Up to 43 per cent of pig urine and 24 per cent of pork taken from many slaughterhouses in Ho Chi Minh City had the ?- agonist, the agency found.

Minister Phat said the situation was “alarming” and the use of illegal chemicals in husbandry must be taken as seriously as other drug offences.

According to Nguoi Lao Dong, the illegal chemicals have been extensively used by up to half of farmers in Dong Nai Province. The proportion is between 20-25 per cent in Ba Ria Vung Tau, 10 per cent in Binh Duong and 5 per cent in Tay Ninh.

A pig trader in Dong Nai said the illegal chemicals arrive from China packed into unlabeled parcels between 20-50 kilograms. Smuggling them into Viet Nam has involved hiding the product among agriculture powders and other legal entities, he said.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Friday, March 16, 2012
Jalisco Latest State Exporting Pork to Korea
MEXICO - The Chief Director of the National Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA), Enrique Sánchez Cruz, announced that next week will witness the first shipment of pork from Jalisco to Korea.


The head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA), said this new step represents a further step in the effort of producers and authorities on health and safety to reach new market niches.

"It's an historic event for the pork industry in western Mexico as it makes this region accessible to the Korean market and it certainly will, in the medium term, bring about a profound change for the livestock sector," he said.

It has been revealed that the state of Chihuahua has a Rastro TIF license for exports of pork and beef for the same Korean market.

"This growth is due to the efforts made by Mexican producers on health and safety, as has been the key that opens up new international markets," he said.

Currently, countries like Russia and Japan have increased demand for Mexican meat and is now opening up new market opportunities in Korea.

Cruz Sanchez explained that the Federal Government has increased more than four times the investment in infrastructure for health and safety in order to provide primary producers tools to help meet the demand of domestic and international consumers.

He noted that in January 2012, about 500,000 tons of pork was processed in the TIF establishments which are authorized for export to international markets.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Korea to Extend Pork Tariff Quota
SOUTH KOREA - Korea will extend its tariff quotas for pork belly and dried peppers by three months to ensure their steady supply and help stabilize domestic prices, the finance ministry said Tuesday.


The tariff quotas for the two items will be extended till the end of June, with Seoul to increase the pork belly quota by 70,000 tons. The ministry said the quota for dried peppers has been raised to 11,185 tons from 6,185 tons.

The Korea Times reports that originally, both quotas were scheduled to expire on 31 March.

The tariff quota system is used to help control the inflow of products from abroad that can affect local prices. The government can expand the volume of products to be imported under favorable tariff rates if it expects a shortfall in supply that can fuel inflationary pressure.

"The move is necessary because there is usually a surge in demand for pork belly in spring time," the finance ministry said.

It added that the Cabinet approved a motion to extend the quotas earlier in the day, with policymakers to consider extending the quotas further after it examines domestic prices and supply trends.

The latest measures, however, do not include extending the tariff quota for garlic, which will expire at the end of the month as planned.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Wednesday, March 21, 2012
US Pork Market Access to Thailand
THAILAND - Thailand's GSP privileges are at risk of being suspended due to Thailand's unfair import restrictions on U.S. pork into Thailand.
 

These unfair practices include: 1) Thailand's ban on imports of pork from any country including the United States that allows the use of ractopamine even though this additives is safe; 2) Even if imports were allowed Thailand imposes an inspection fee that is 10 times greater than the inspection fee for domestic pork; and 3) Thailand would issue import permits in arbitrary manner apparently designed to protect domestic production.

For two years, FAS/Bangkok and National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) have raised these concerns with the Thai Government, however all efforts to gain market access have been stonewalled by the Thai authorities.

In light of this, the NPPC is considering filing a petition to remove the GSP privileges in the near future if Thailand remains adamant in its position.

This petition could negatively impact Thailand's approximately $500 million of products that received GSP privileges in 2011.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Friday, March 23, 2012
Drop in February 2012 Pork Export Volume, Value
BRAZIL - The volume of pork exported in January dropped slightly compared to a month earlier, and the US$-value was down by 0.65 per cent.


According to the latest figures from ABIPECS, Brazil exported 37,126 tons of pork in February, down 4.95 per cent compared to the previous year.

The value of export sales in February was US $95.5 million, down 5.02 per cent compared to February 2011.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Use of Banned Chemical in Pig Rearing Confirmed
VIET NAM - Police in Dong Nai Province on Friday confirmed that a banned substance has been used by the local pig rearing industry.


The result was announced almost a month after public concern was raised about pork quality following a Thanh Nien investigative report published on 28 February that said that livestock farmers in Dong Nai, a major pork and pig supplier to Ho Chi Minh City, were drugging their pigs with steroids containing ?-agonist growth promoting agent.

Dong Nai police have confirmed the media report after finding traces of the agent – ractopamine and salbutamol – among animal feeds sold at the Dinh Duong Vang (Gold Nutrition) Company in the province.

The agent, popular with bodybuilders, is banned in livestock breeding. In humans, it causes increased heart rate, indigestion and various other conditions, according to experts.

The Dong Nai Market Management has suspended the company's operations.

The province’s Animal Health Department has also blacklisted 24 pig breeding households after tests found the chemical in their products.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on 16 March ordered Dong Nai to investigate use of chemicals in local animal husbandry so that consumers could avoid dangerous products and clean farmers are not hurt by consumer fear.

Since the news of steroid use broke, pork consumption in HCMC has dropped by between 40-60 per cent, though vendors have offered reduced prices.

Viet Nam does not allow the use of growth hormones in animal husbandry.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

AHDB European Market Survey - 23 March 2012
Danish exports of fresh and frozen pork were five per cent higher in 2011 than the previous year at over 1.2 million tonnes.
 

Chinese pig prices fall back from record highs
China accounts for nearly half of global production and consumption of pig meat. It is largely self-sufficient but, given the scale of the industry, small changes in production can have a significant impact on price. During the summer of 2011, pig prices in China rose to record highs. Since then prices have fallen steadily, except for a small rise in the run up to the Spring Festival in January, and are now less than five per cent higher than their level a year ago. At their peak, in early September, the average pig price in China was just over 20 yuan per kg liveweight, equivalent to 196p per kg. By early March, the price had fallen to a little over 15 yuan (155p) per kg.


Pig meat is a staple food in China and its price makes an important contribution to the country’s Consumer Price Index (CPI). Food makes up around 30 per cent of the CPI basket and pig meat accounts for around a third of the food portion or 10 per cent of the total. Therefore, the rising prices during 2011 contributed to high levels of inflation, leading to government intervention to open up the import market (see EMS 12/06) and subsidise herd expansion. As a result, annual inflation fell below four per cent in February 2012, although meat prices were still 16 per cent higher than a year earlier, including a similar rise for pork.

The key reason for falling prices is the expansion of the Chinese pig herd as a result of improved profitability, government subsidies and warmer weather, which led to a lower incidence of disease outbreaks this winter. Breeding sow numbers have risen through most of the year and USDA estimates that they totalled 49.3 million head at the end of 2011, four per cent higher than a year earlier. As a result, pig meat production during 2012 is forecast to be four per cent higher than in 2011 at 51.6 million tonnes. The impact on imports is less clear but they are likely to be lower than in 2011. Increased production will probably mean that average prices during 2012 will be lower than in 2011, with one major processor predicting a fall of between 15 and 20 per cent.

The Chinese government has recently released its 12th five-year development plan for agriculture. The plan aims to increase Chinese pig meat production by six per cent by 2015. It also sets out goals to modernise the industry and improve productivity. The intention is to move away from China’s dependence on small ‘backyard’ producers, which cannot meet efficiency and sustainability requirements.

Contrast in Dutch and Danish pork exports
Danish exports of fresh and frozen pork were five per cent higher in 2011 than the previous year at over 1.2 million tonnes. This growth in exports mainly reflects a four per cent increase in Danish pork production over the same period and some increase in export demand, with the average export price up four per cent. Trade with other EU Member States increased by three per cent year on year; pork exports to Germany and Italy were up seven per cent and three per cent respectively. In contrast, shipments to the UK were five per cent lower. Danish exports to non-EU markets grew by ten per cent over the year but they still only accounted for 29 per cent of trade. Strong demand meant that shipments to China and South Korea grew tremendously year on year, counteracting falls in trade with Japan, Australia and the US.

In contrast, Dutch exports of fresh and frozen pork fell marginally in 2011, compared with 2010, despite a rise of two per cent in production. Trade with other EU Member States fell by four per cent year on year, whereas exports to non-EU markets increased by 20 per cent to make up 17 per cent of the total. Shipments to Germany and Italy fell significantly over the year, down by 25 per cent and 10 per cent respectively, as the Netherlands lost market share to Denmark. However, there was strong growth in trade with Poland, because of domestic shortages, and Spain. South Korea, Hong Kong and Russia were the main contributors to the rise in non-EU exports. The average export price increased six per cent year on year. By value, Dutch exports to non-EU markets increased by 30 per cent.

Danish exports of bacon were up by two per cent in 2011 compared with year earlier levels at 101,100 tonnes, with shipments to the UK, the main market, also up two per cent. Dutch bacon exports on the other hand fell by thirteen per cent to 114,000 tonnes, as exports to the UK decreased by 18 per cent over the year.

 


Danish live pig exports rose by two per cent between 2010 and 2011 to 8.9 million head. Weaner exports, which accounted for almost 95 per cent of all trade, increased by eight per cent over the year. There was strong demand for Danish weaners from Poland with exports increasing by 86 per cent year on year. This came as a result of a shortage of locally-bred pigs as many Polish breeders left the industry or switched to finishing. Weaner shipments to the main German market were little changed. However, slaughter pig exports to Germany, the dominant market, fell by 60 per cent.

Live exports (excluding breeding pigs due to an error with the data) from the Netherlands fell to 9.0 million head, down by over 17 per cent compared with 2010. Slaughter pigs saw the biggest fall in trade, with exports down 28 per cent year on year, on the back of considerable decreases in shipments to Germany and Hungary. Exports of weaners were down by six per cent, with falls in trade to Germany and Poland.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Monday, April 02, 2012
Brazilian Pork Expanding into New Markets
BRAZIL - While the Brazilian pork industry saw a 4 per cent decline in its exports in 2011, a significant shift in the destination of these exports was evident.
 
For many years Russia, was the main destination for Brazilian pig meat exports, accounting for over 50 per cent of total shipments over recent years. However, a ban on imports from Brazil in the middle of 2011 led to a fall in volumes resulting in that market accounting for less than a quarter of total volumes. As a result, a greater focus was placed on alternative markets, with significant increases in volumes to Hong Kong, Ukraine and Argentina.


New export markets are now opening up for Brazilian pig meat. In late 2011 the US approved the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, one of the largest pig producing states in Brazil. While volumes are not expected to be significant, the profile of US access is certainly a benefit to the industry in terms of perception in other countries that they are seeking to supply to such as Japan, South Korea and Mexico.

The most significant development for the Brazilian industry has been the gaining of access to the Chinese market in late 2011. While volumes are small at the moment with only 52 tonnes supplied in January, China is viewed as a huge potential for the industry. Currently only three plants have been certified by the Chinese authorities but this is expected to increase. Given the volume of Brazilian exports they could become a significant player in the Chinese market in the coming years, increasing the competition for European suppliers.

According to a recent USDA report, the Brazilian pork industry is growing fuelled by a 10 per cent increase in domestic per capita consumption in 2011 and a recovery in exports in 2012.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Adjumani Residents Defy Quarantine on Pigs
UGANDA - Efforts to contain African swine fever, which broke out in Adjumani District seven months ago, is being hindered by residents' defiance of a quarantine imposed by the veterinary department.

African Swine Fever
Resource Centre


The District Veterinary Officer, Dr David Okello, yesterday told Daily Monitor that residents have continued to transport and slaughter pigs and sell pork in disregard of the quarantine.

Dr Okello identified the affected villages as Patua, Pagirinya, Pavuraga and Molupoda. The disease has killed more than 250 pigs.

He noted that there has been laxity in the enforcement of the quarantine, adding that the district does not have a specific by-law that could be used to enforce the quarantine.

Dr Okello urged local leaders, law enforcers and the public to ensure that the quarantine is followed.

He warned that people who continue to disregard the quarantine would be prosecuted.

Dr Okello said some farmers smoke the carcasses of the dead pigs and sell them to people claiming they are dry bush meat which is on high demand in the district.

He said: “This is very wrong and can only escalate the spread of the disease.”

A farmer in Pavuraga Village, Mr Emmanuel Mori, said: “More sensitisation should be done and a by-law should be passed so that enforcement can be efficient.”

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Wednesday, April 11, 2012
CRC Sees Healthy Role for Australian Pork
AUSTRALIA - Pork’s role in a balanced diet and lifestyle and how it might assist weight management and address critical health issues such as Type 2 diabetes, is the focus of the CRC For High Integrity Australian Pork Subprogram 3B, ‘Health benefits of fresh pork’.
 

The Pork CRC has allocated a set amount of its research funds for shorter term Innovation projects to be funded for 12 months and to a maximum of $50,000.

According to Pork CRC CEO, Dr Roger Campbell, these projects may fill gaps in existing knowledge, or investigate new science and theories able to develop system changing information/technologies.

The Pork CRC is calling for shorter term projects (closes 20 April) in Subprogram 3B that represent genuine innovation and the following priorities have been set:

Determine pork’s role of as part of a balanced diet and lifestyle on weight management and weight maintenance to address health issues, including Type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease in Australia.


Demonstrate use and form of pork in the diet of elderly Australians to preserve muscle mass and cognition.


Demonstrate inherent benefits of consuming pork in diets of Australian children, with particular focus on innovatively incorporating pork into children’s meals.


Use of animal and/or human models to determine if including fresh pork or enriched pork in the diet can deliver potential positive health outcomes to humans, including early stage bowel and prostate cancer development and gut health (e.g. microbiota).


The effect of pork on protein digestion and amino acid metabolism.
On a broader scale across all of the Pork CRC’s four programs, research projects demonstrating quality, system changing science that could successfully be adopted by Australia’s pork industry will shortly be considered and recommended for funding by the CRC’s Expert Scientific Groups before being put to the CRC’s R&D Committee and Board in June.

The CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork has four programs:

Confinement free sow and piglet management
Herd health management
Healthy pork consumption
Carbon-conscious nutrient inputs and outputs.
Dr Campbell said that although he had only briefly reviewed some of the research proposals, as the final lodgement date (31 March) had only just passed, he was pleased at the obvious effort researchers and proponents had put into addressing stated priorities.

“There certainly looks to be some exciting proposals to be considered,” he said.

“As the CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork gathers momentum, it’s critical that all stakeholders maintain focus on outcomes which reflect our objectives of profiling and producing a pork product that is uniquely Australian, characterised as high integrity, welfare optimal, premium quality, safe and nutritious,” Dr Campbell said.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Thursday, April 12, 2012
Human Diarrhea Parasite Found Lurking in Piglets
GLOBAL - An intestinal parasite that causes diarrhea in humans has also found its way in pigs.


According to LiveScience, the researchers explain that the existence of the single-celled parasite, Dientamoeba fragilis, in pigs is important because it might mean pig feces are one way the parasite has been spreading to humans. More than a billion pigs are housed in farms across the world.

In developed countries, D. fragilis infection rates in people hover around 2 per cent to 4 per cent. But in developing countries where waste disposal is poor, infection rates of between 19 per cent and 69 per cent have been reported. Travelers to these countries also often fall prey to the parasite. Infection is sometimes asymptomatic, but it can also cause diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Few animal hosts, or "reservoirs," for D. fragilis had been discovered, researchers reported yesterday (11 April) in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pigs in Italy, however, were reported as having high infection rates. So Italian scientists collected and analyzed 152 fecal samples from nine farms. They found that 52 of 74 piglets, 11 of 14 pigs at the "fattening" stage. and eight of 64 sows tested positive for D. fragilis. Young animals appeared to be most susceptible.

Furthermore, the analysis showed that the parasite found in pigs was the same one that infects humans. That means pigs could transmit the parasite to humans, likely through their waste.

The researchers noted that the discovery could be a boon to understanding D. fragilis. Little is known about the parasite's life cycle, and pigs could provide a useful model for understanding how transmission and infection occurs, the researchers said.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Monday, April 16, 2012
Beef, Pork, Chicken Production Increased in 2012
CHILE - Production of beef, pork and chicken all increased in the first month of 2012, compared to January 2011.


A significant increase in beef production was seen in Chile in 2012, breaking the downward trend which has been seen sine April 2011. Beef production increased 15.2 per cent to 16,629 tonnes at the start of the year. The Chilean herd seems to be retaining heifers for herd expansions, with 56 per cent of cattle slaughtered being steers.

Poultry and pig production in January increased 9.5 per cent and 6.3 per cent respectively. Pig production has been growing steadily over recent years thanks to an increase in production capacity, with more and more producers focusing on exporting pork products, rather than selling to the domestic market.

An increase in broilers and turkeys is responsible for the increase in poultry production, with turkey production increasing 10.5 per cent in January 2012 compared to the same month the previous year.

It is likely that production of poultry and turkeys has increased due to more demand for lower priced proteins, as beef prices continue to remain high.

Meat exports in general seemed to be up at the start of 2012. Beef exports increased 2.5 per cent, with a total of 364 tonnes exported. Much of this increase in exports went to Germany.

Pork exports were up 17.1 per cent. Whilst South Korea and Japan are the main export markets, exports to China and Russia increased.

On the contrary, poultry exports fell marginally by 0.7 per cent in the first month of the year.