March 20, 2013

                                                                                         

BPEX Export Bulletin-March 2013 (Week 11)

 

 

This week's export news

 

UK exports for 2012 reached 25% of total pork production, the second highest score in history after 1998 when 26.4% of our production was exported. We expect that in 2013 we will exceed this figure, particularly with Australia opening and a full year of export, to Mainland China. We also expect a strong growth in exports of processed pork products.

 

 

Denmark

 

Market stable

                                                                     

France

 

Môssieur Polette

 

No visitor to SIRHA missed the re-styled brand "Mossieur Polette" designed by Bell (Swiss group) to boost the ageing charcuterie processor based in Teilhède. The largest charcuterie processor in Switzerland recorded a 6.2% growth for the sales in France of ham and dried sausages.

 

Illegal agreements

 

Denounced by a few producers, eight pig abattoirs have been fined (€4.57 million) for illegal agreements. In 2009, Abera, Bernard, Gad, Bigard and Socopa agreed on the number of pigs they were going to buy at the Marché du Porc Breton (official national pig price reference), the objective of the five buyers (representing 70% of purchases at MPB) was to push prices down. These five abattoirs plus Kerméné and AIM and supported by SNCP (processors group associated with SNIV) and FAC (Federation of buyers) fixed a unique price on 2nd and 5th September 2005 for direct purchases from pig producers. Cooperl and Gad have been fined for agreeing in May and June 2009 for a minimum selling price to Auchan. Finally SNCP (now named French Meat Association) has been penalised for inviting abattoirs not to sell below a fixed price for special offers organised by French retailers.

 

Fines have been modulated according to the financial situation of each company, (Gad in serious financial difficulties saw its fine reduced by 80%). These fines vary from €1,757,000 to Socopa and Bigard, to €2,000 to AIM; The SNCP (French Meat Association) was fined €13,500 and FAC €2,700. More information is available on the site of trade and labelling authority (DGCCRF).

 

Market data

 

Pigs

 

No evolution for the market in France. Availability is low but is sufficient for demands. The 56 TMP basic price has increased by only 0.8% last Monday in Plérin. According to the "Marché du porc Breton" offers are low because the breeders have financial difficulties.

 

Weaners

 

The piglet market is still firm. Prices are stable or even a bit higher depending of the region and the category of piglets considered. Last week, FNP-FNCBV prices were higher by 3% for 25kg pigs and by €0.41 for weaners.

 

Cuts

 

No change for the market due to the school holidays. Exports are calm too. The third week of the month is rapidly approaching with no foreseeable increase in consumption.

 

Germany

 

Equilibrium in the market

 

Weak internal market and disappointing export demand is balanced by active live exports to Poland running slightly ahead of last year. Prices remain unchanged.

Spain

 

Rising production

 

In 2012, 42.4 million pigs were slaughtered in Spain, a rise of 650,000 or 1.3%. (Source: Mercolleida)

Export news

 

Exporters report falling prices for Russia and China. They also complain of the bureaucracy involved with exports to these two countries. A Russian veterinary mission is currently in Spain. (Source: Mercolleida)

 

 

Poland

 

Subvention programme

 

The Government has announced a new programme of subvention for the production of weaners under the EU Rural Development programme. The country faces a rapid decline of production and the Ministry wants to increase production from 11 to 18 million heads over the next ten years, a very ambitious goal in view of the current Polish situation. The December census shows a fall of 10% of the number of heads.(Source: Mercolleida)

 

 

Estonia

 

Maag takes over Pouttu

 

The Maag group has taken over Pouttu from Finland through its Finnish subsidiary. Pouttu is the fourth largest meat processor in Finland and one of the oldest names. The firm is located in Kannus, about 500km from Helsinki. It employs 280 people for a turnover of €61.4 million. Consolidated Maag now employs 780 people for a turnover of 174 million. Incidentally, Maag owns major Polish trader Avalon Foods. (Source: Estonian News)

 

 

Iceland

 

Interesting results

 

Following the horsemeat scandal – the country counts a large feral horse population - the Icelandic authorities analysed locally produced processed meat products. They found a meat paste without meat and an "Italian lamb and beef meat ball" without any beef. (Source: Der Spiegel)

 

 

Russia

 

Rosselkhoznadzor conducts an inspection of the Mexican meat plants

 

Rosselkhoznadzor is conducting inspection of 19 pork and beef plants in Mexico interest in exporting its products to the customs union as to how these enterprises meet the veterinary and sanitary requirements of the Russian Federation and whether they can guarantee absence of ractopamine in their products. (Source: IA Kazakh Zerno)

 

Steady prices

 

Carbonade/boneless shoulder prices are maintained at £4.02/kg, with bone-in legs at £2.73/kg and livers at £97p/kg. (Source: Meatinfo.ru)

 

 

USA

 

Smithfield changes course

 

Smithfield may produce ractopamine-free pork for export to China and Russia. (Source: Pig Progress)

 

Pork prices still falling

 

US pork prices have fallen to their lowest level in three months. Also, US futures prices for spring/summer 2013 are now 10% lower than the level three months ago. The reason for the expected price fall is the expected slower sales to export markets, mainly Russia and China, due to the ractopamine issue. Japanese demand is weaker due to a decline of the Yen against US$. (Source: Markedsnyt for Svinekoed)

 

 

China

 

Dead pigs in river

 

More than 6,000 dead pigs were recovered from the Hangpu river, upstream of Shanghai, creating a risk for the local drinking water. The pigs probably died of circovirus and were dumped in the river. The dumping of pigs in rivers is not unknown as farmers bury or burn dead pigs to save costs. Local pig units are described as "rife" with disease and burial pits are said to be full. Shanghai residents are voicing their concern on the Internet as local authorities and the various control agencies fail in their duty. In a joke posted online, a Beijing resident boasts about the air pollution in the capital, saying if he wanted a smoke, he just had to open the window. A Shanghai resident retorts: "That's nothing, when we turn on the tap, we get free rib soup." (Source: various, Reuters)

 

Offal imports down

 

China imported 836,000 tonnes of pig offal in 2012, down 3.78% on 2011. The USA represented 47% of imports, Denmark 20%, Canada 10%, Germany 7% and Spain 5%. The main importers are Dalian-based: Dalian Greathand with 6.9% market share, Beijing Sanchuan 6.8%, Dalian Donglai 3.7%, Dalian New Star 3.2% and Shanghai Rongiang. (Source: BOAC Ltd)

 

Pork prices down

 

Pork wholesale prices of the 36 medium and large cities are down 2.21% on last week to RMB 21.45/kg (£2.29/kg) carcase. For memory, prices in 2011 peaked at RMB27/kg. (Source: BOAC Ltd)

 

Immunisation programme

 

The government has decreed to continue with compulsory immunisation for FMD, PRRS and CSF. (Source: BOAC Ltd)

 

 

US$1 = EUR0.78 (March 20, 2013)