Biden expected to nominate ex-Governor Vilsack for USDA secretary 9 Dec 2020 US President-elect Joe Biden plans to have former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack reprise his role as USDA secretary.
China’s pork imports expected to fall after reaching record levels in 2020 8 Dec 2020 A senior livestock analyst with Rabobank predicts that China’s pork imports could fall by as much as 30 percent in 2021 as recovery efforts ramp up.
CME update: hog futures plummet as pandemic accelerates across the US 8 Dec 2020 US lean hog futures fell on 7 December as cash pork prices weakened and increased COVID-19 infections sparked concerns about demand for meat.
Covid-19 drives changes for 2021 Iowa Pork Congress 7 Dec 2020 The 2021 Iowa Pork Congress cancels tradeshow but will continue with annual meeting and education sessions
CME update: lean hog futures trim on demand uncertainty 4 Dec 2020 US lean hog futures stepped back on 3 December as pandemic restrictions and export data weighs on the market.
Smithfield Foods offers to store COVID-19 vaccines in ultra-cold freezers 4 Dec 2020 Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork processor, has offered to help US health officials distribute COVID-19 vaccines and store them in ultra-cold freezers.
China requires imported cold-chain food to undergo nucleic acid test before sale 3 Dec 2020 China’s Administration for Market Regulation now requires imported cold-chain food products to undergo a nucleic acid test for COVID-19 before any products can be sold in China.
US NFU welcomes Justice for Black Farmers Act 3 Dec 2020 The National Farmers Union says that the newly introduced Justice for Black Farmers Act is an "important step" towards racial equity in the United States.
Argentina’s agriculture export industry workers go on strike 1 Dec 2020 Two major unions representing Argentina’s agro-export industry have launched an indefinite strike, escalating a stand-off that has been simmering for months.
Coronavirus continues to roil UK meat supply chain 1 Dec 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic can still disrupt abattoirs at short notice, illustrating the continued influence the disease has on the red meat supply chain.
Germany’s agriculture minister urges meatpackers to work overtime to clear production backlog 30 Nov 2020 Minister Julia Kloeckner has called on slaughterhouses and meatpackers to work at weekends and on public holidays to address a backlog of animals that has built up on farms during the COVID-19 crisis.
Beijing’s Xinfadi market suspends sales on fears of coronavirus transmission 26 Nov 2020 Beijing’s Xinfadi market, which was linked to a COVID-19 outbreak in June, has suspended sales and storage of cold-chain goods and aquatic products.
UK NFU says that government Spending Review presents a mixed picture for farmers 26 Nov 2020 NFU President Minette Batters has responded to the UK Chancellor's Spending Review, saying that farmers are left with funding gaps and scant details on new agricultural policy.
China reports 22 new COVID-19 cases as official flags frozen food link 25 Nov 2020 China has recorded 22 new coronavirus infections on 23 November, up from 11 on 22 November as health officials from the city of Tianjin suggest that the cases were linked to frozen food imports.
CME update: lean hog futures closed narrowly mixed despite Wall Street optimism 25 Nov 2020 US lean hog futures had a mixed day of trading on 24 November despite positive trading signs in other markets.
Canada's agri-food sector positions itself for COVID-19 recovery 25 Nov 2020 Canada's Ministers of Agriculture from all levels of government prioritised pandemic recovery and long-term sustainability when making key decisions about the sector.
CME update: hog futures rise on short-covering and spill-over strength from cattle market 24 Nov 2020 US lean hog futures rose on 23 November, taking a cue from gains in the cattle market and wider Wall Street hopes for a COVID-19 vaccine.
Cranswick reports profit jumps as stay-at-home order boost consumption 24 Nov 2020 UK meat processor Cranswick Plc posted a 31 percent jump in first-half profit on 24 November as consumers purchased more Cranswick pork and chicken products while they were on stay-at-home orders.
NPPC calls on hog farmers to "Give-a-Ham" 24 Nov 2020 The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has launched the "Give-a-Ham" challenge, encouraging hog farmers to give back to their communities and fight food insecurity.
BMPA urges UK government to prioritise meat plant workers as early recipients of COVID-19 vaccine 24 Nov 2020 News of a new COVID-19 vaccine immediately raises the question of how best to allocate the first batches of doses when they become available.
