World meat industry news

In the first half of the year, Russian producers exported 81,600 tons of pork, 23% less (-24,100 tons) than in the same period last year, according to Yuriy Kovalev, director general of the National Union of Pork Producers at the organization's annual meeting. The reduction in overseas shipments this year could increase the oversaturation of the domestic market, he warned, estimating that year-end exports could fall by 50,000 tons, more than 1% of consumption. "In a context of oversaturated markets, every such percentage has a huge negative impact on the domestic price environment," Kovalev stressed.

From January to June 2022, exports to Vietnam fell by 57% to 23.4 thousand tons. At the end of the same period in 2021, the country was the largest buyer of Russian pork (54.5 thousand tons). The decline was caused by the recovery of domestic production in Vietnam and relatively high prices in the Russian market. Logistical problems associated with COVID-19, which have intensified in recent months due to container shortages, have also continued to affect supplies. In addition, shipments are affected by the strong ruble, which makes export shipments unprofitable, Kovalev explained.

The main priority remains opening the Chinese market to Russian pork. Last year, China bought 3.5 million tons of pork products. Russia could supply the country with up to 250,000-300,000 tons, about 10% of Chinese imports in the next three years.