World meat industry news

Russia has managed to open new markets for its pork products, such as Vietnam, Hong Kong and Mongolia, despite the ongoing threat of ASF resurging in the Russian pig herd. For more than 10 years, Russia is fighting the disease and at some point, the damage created in the swine sector has transformed the country in an importer of pigmeat. However, starting 2020, Russian pork exports have rebound reaching 143,000 tonnes, which is 80% more than the same period in the previous year. According to the Russian Union of Pork Producers (RUPP) suggests that exports of pig meat could surpass 200,000 tonnes by the end of the year, up 45% on the year. The rise in exports also reflects significant growth in the nation’s domestic production. In the year to September, Russian pig meat production totalled 3.55 million tonnes, 12% more than in the same period in the previous year, according to Rosstat. "Prices have not been particularly strong this year. In the week ending 4 November, liveweight pigs averaged 97.80 rubles/kg, 4% below the same point in the previous year. Reports suggest that retailers are increasing shares of fresh and chilled pork to reduce the additional costs associated with handling frozen pork. This has enabled consumer prices of pork as well as chicken to come down, with pork actually pricing below chicken in some instances," said Felicity Rusk, AHDB analyst.