February 15, 2012

Russia approves proposal on meat import quotas

The Russian government has approved a proposal on new meat import quotas for 2012.

According to reports, a new Danish farming production is emerging abroad as farmers are having difficulty in getting financial back-up from banks and authorities in developing their farms.

In France, a joint venture has been formed by Porc Armor and Cofiporc to set up "Porc Armor Evolution", which is set to become the fourth largest group of producers in the country holding about 1.8 million pigs. In the market for piglets, there has been no developments. Limited offers for stable demand propel prices upward.

The German pig meat supply and demand has been balanced. Prices remained mainly unchanged. One in ten sow producers in the German region of Northrine-Westphalia is closing business as piglet prices plunge.

The problem of sow welfare standards in Spain lies in financing the necessary investment of EUR200-300 (US$263-$395) per sow place. At present, only about 20% of Catalonia and Aragón have fulfilled the new requirements. According to reports, however, 85-90% of farms will comply by 2013.

In Russia, a proposal on new meat import quotas has been approved by the government. For pork, the common global import quota has been raised to 400,000 tonnes of fresh/chilled pig meat, and 300,000 tonnes of trimmings.

Strong demand around Christmas has pushed up pork prices in Brazil. However, volumes are limited.