BPEX Export Bulletin-February 2013 (Week 5)

 

 

This week's export news

 

Starting February 4, 2013, the import of chilled meat from the USA will be banned in Russia due to the noncompliant of Rosselkhoznadzor's requirements.

 

BPEX's latest export figures show continued growth in the year to November. Pork exports in November were 13% higher on-year at 14,000 tonnes, November being a strong month traditionally for pork exports; offal exports were up 43% to 5,800 tonnes and sausages volumes doubled to 1,000 tonnes. In contrast, exports of bacon and ham remained lower.

 

As the above volume for sausage exports indicates, some key exporters' activities and time investment were rewarded on a wide number of markets. This includes Hong Kong where nine pork product exporters are aiming to participate in the Hofex exhibition next May. The Hong Kong show coincides with SIAL China in Shanghai where so far three exporters are looking to participate.

 

The European Commission has released the level of compliance to the new regulations on the welfare of sows. Some 10 countries are now fully compliant; these include the majority of the poorer countries of Central Europe which need to be commended: Bulgaria, Romania, Baltic countries, Slovakia which have now joined the older 'club' of  the UK; Austria, Luxembourg and Sweden; Hungary, the Czech Republic, Italy, Finland, Holland and Spain are 98-99% compliant; Slovenia, Spain, Denmark and Poland are 93-96% compliant; Malta is 90% compliant, Belgium 89%, Ireland 82%, Greece 83%, Germany 73%, France 72%, Cyprus 63% and Portugal 58%. In this list, one must single out the poor performance of major producers Germany and France.

 

From this week, readers will enjoy a report on weekly pork prices from China and more news on the all-important Chinese market.

 

 

Denmark

 

More pigs with MRSA

 

Figures from the Food Administration show that 88% of slaughter pigs at Danish slaughterhouses are infected with MRSA CC398, double the level reported a year ago. A further study of pig herds will show whether there has been an increase on Danish pig farms. There is no indication of MRSA infection when people eat pork. However, MRSA infection may spread from animals to humans by regular contact. (Source: Fødevareministeriet)

 

Danish Slaughterhouses - payments week commencing 28 January 2013
Slaughterhouse	Danish Crown	Tican
Slaughter pigs (70.0 – 86.9 kg)	Euro 1.493	Euro 1.493
Difference to last week	-0.027	-0.027
Sows (Above 129.9 kg)	Euro 0.933	Euro 0.933
Difference to last week	Unchanged	Unchanged
Boars (Above 109.9 kg)	Euro 0.800	Euro 0.800
Difference to last week	-0.067	-0.067

 

France

 

New frozen pork burger

 

Jean Floch, charcuterie processor based in Brittany (Morbihan) launched two new products at SIRHA this week. The first one named "Tout tender" (All tender) includes 75% pig meat and is sold at a retail price of €3.50 for six 100g burgers. The second, a pack of six pure pork 100g steak hachés selling at €3.80/kg. (Source: own)

 

Saucissons Maison Colombo

 

Following a €12 million investment in their site located in St. Symphorien (Lyon region), the saucissons manufacturer France Salaisons launched a new branded retail range at SIRHA with 100% natural casing. The new range called "Maison Colombo" includes pre-sliced rosettes, 250g whole saucissons and mini saucissons. The company, headed by Cyril Colombo, founded in 1968, is a leader in the sector employing 150 staff with a turnover of €44.5 million in 2011. (Source: own)

 

Stock exchange                

 

Following the success of Fleury-Michon products on the shelves, the value of shares in the charcuterie processor on the stock exchange increased by 37%, resulting in a 14% profit over three years. (Source: own)

 

Market

 

Pigs

 

Piglets

 

Cuts

 

Pork prices RUNGIS week commencing 28 January 2013
Cut name	Price range (Euro/Kg)
Back fat, rind-on	0.65
Trimmings	1.39
Leg	2.33
Loin including chump	2.73
Loin excluding chump	2.55
Belly extra without trimmings	2.56

 

Germany

 

German pig market well balanced

 

The German pig market is currently divided. While pigs start to shorten in the South and some places in Lower Saxony, slaughter facilities and producers in Eastern Germany still report a slight surplus. Live exports are starting to gather momentum. More livestock is delivered to Poland but still at levels below recent averages. Overall, the actual market situation suggests unchanged prices. If a positive trend continues, an increase in prices is anticipated over the next few weeks. (Source: various)

 

Pork prices Hamburg Market Week commencing 28 January 2013
Cut name	Price range (Euro/Kg)
Round cut leg	2.20/2.40
Leg (boneless, rindless max fat level 3mm	2.95/3.20
Boneless Shoulder	2.50/2.70
Picnic Shoulder	1.95/2.20
Collar	2.40/2.60
Belly (bone in, ex-breast)	2.40/2.60
Sheet Boned Belly (rindless)	2.30/2.60
Jowl	1.50/1.70
Half Pig Carcasses U class.	2.00/2.10

 
Spain

 

Strong market

 

Despite the high pig offer, prices remain strong due to the strength of domestic and export demand. (Source: Mercolleida)

 

Pork prices Barcelona Market Week commencing 28 January 2013
Cut Name	Price range (Euro/Kg)
Gerona Loin Chops	2.50/2.53
Loin Eye Muscle	3.38/3.41
Spare Ribs	2.98/3.01
Fillets	5.43/5.46
Round Cut Legs	2.63/2.66
Cooked Ham	2.47/2.50
Rindless Picnic Shoulder	1.75/1.78
Belly	2.49/2.52
Smoked Belly with Spare Rib Section Cut off	2.92/2.95
Shoulder chap or Head Jowls	1.18/1.21
Back Fat, Rindless	0.93/0.96

 
Italy

 

Consumers' views

 

New research was presented at the Marca fair. Butchers retained 36.4% of fresh meat sales and remain very strong in the South, strong in the North and weakest in Central Italy. Italian shoppers like butchers for personal advice, service and the higher perceived product quality and safety. Supermarkets are preferred for price, range/choice and convenience. Animal feed is an important attribute for Italian consumers, ahead of rearing systems. Health considerations, when buying meat, are only important for 7.8% of Italians and nutritional characteristics for 17.4%. They now count among the most nationalistic shoppers. The national origin of meat rate 8.68 and the local origin 8.12 on a scale of 0 (not important) to 10 (very important). (Source: SG Marketing)

 

 

Philippines

 

Abattoir building programme delayed

 

The ambitious pig abattoir building programme mentioned in Bulletins Passim, including two new export standard abattoirs in Luzon, has been delayed to 2014. This is to allow the setting of local government units to manage them. The £4.5 million budget has been reallocated to the refurbishment of 18 existing plants. (Source: Asian Meat)

 

Objections raised

 

The agreement between the government and CPF has attracted the ire of Philippine pork producers. The deal involves incentives such as a seven-year tax break and duty free imports of raw material, giving an unfair advantage to the Thai company. CPF plans to invest £30 million in the Philippines. (Source: Asian Meat).

 

 

USA

 

Pork production heading down

 

Pork production fell by 5% in December following the increase in November. (Source: USDA)

 

 

Singapore

 

Mexican pork

 

Food security is at the heart of Singapore's policy; the country aims to widen the number of countries it imports pork from, as supplies depend on 90% of foreign food. It has recently begun to import pork from Mexico. (Source: Asian Meat)

 

 

Thailand

 

Pig crisis

 

Excess production of pork and chicken has sent prices spiralling downwards. Pork prices are down 24% to £1.15/kg liveweight, when the cost of production is £1.20/kg. Major processors, Betagro and CPF, are reporting a large drop in earnings (53% in Q3 for CPF) but prices are anticipated to rebound this year. (Source: Asian Meat)

 

Danish exports

 

Sow udders are a local delicacy. This fact has not escaped Danish Crown who have developed a profitable export business for a commodity that has limited appeal in many markets, according to Søren Tingaard, Export Director. (Source: Landbrugsavisen / Børsen)

 

 

China

 

Pork prices

 

Pork prices are collected form 36 wholesale markets in medium and large cities across China. The carcase price in week commencing 28 January averaged RMB23.22 per kg (£2.35/kg) which was 0.5% lower compared with the previous week. (Source, BOAC Ltd)

 

Breeding pig imports

 

Wolong Livestock Ltd, located in Gansu has recently imported 978 Duroc breeding pigs from the USA. (Source: BOAC Ltd.)

 

Planned pig production

 

Fujian Putian Food Co is planning a pig unit to produce up to 400,000 head annually in Zhangjiakou City. (Source: BOAC Ltd.)

 

 

Russia

 

Rosselkhozbank invests in Miratorg

 

The Russian agricultural bank Rosselkhozbank has lent RUB8m (€198 million) to the Russian company Miratorg. The company is planning a large pig project in the Kursk region. In addition to pig production, the project will include slaughter, processing and production of meat and bone meal. Overall investment is expected to be in the region of RUB11 billion, which is scheduled for completion in 2014. (Source: Markedsnyt for Svonekoed)

 

Pork prices reach new low

 

January prices for pork and live pigs produced in the Russian Federation reached a new low. Compared with September, prices for live pigs fell by 27% and the price for half-carcases decreased 23%. At the same time, the feed price increased by 30%. The decrease in prices in Russia results from the two main factors: the increase of import volumes and higher domestic production. (Source: PigUa.info)

 

USA restrictions

 

Starting from February 11, Rosselkhoznadzor plans to ban the import of frozen meat and meat products from the USA due to the failure of the US Veterinary Service to control the presence of ractopamine. For reference, the import of chilled meat from the USA will be banned from February 4. Serhiy Dankvert, the Head of Rosselkhoznadzor, said that, as the USA ignored our requirements regarding the norms applied to imported meat, Rosselkhoznadzor had no choice but to introduce the ban. (Source: rus.ruvr.ru)

 

New ASF outbreak in Yaroslavl

 

A new ASF outbreak has been reported in the Yaroslavl region of Rosselkhoznadzor.  According to the report, one dead wild boar was found in the Uglich district of the Yaroslavl region, Prilutskaya. Pathological material was sent to the Yaroslavl regional veterinary laboratory where tests confirmed the preliminary diagnosis of African Swine Fever. (Source: Pigprogress.net)

 

 

US$1 = EUR0.74 (Feb. 05, 2013)