April 20, 2021

Germany reports 1,000 African swine fever cases

Germany's has just reached 1,000 African swine fever (ASF) cases, delaying the country's return as a top pork exporter as it continues to battle the disease, Bloomberg reported.

As ASF cases continue to keep exports subdued from Germany, other sellers in the European Union and the Americas have benefitted. Vietnam and Singapore have eased restrictions on German meat imports, but China's blanket ban is severely affecting Germany.

A Rabobank report from March said China may not lift a ban on German meat imports before the middle of this year.

Figures from Brandenburg and Saxony states show about 1,011 wild boar have been infected with ASF, although no farm livestock swine have been infected. The outbreak is unlikely to end soon as infections remain in Poland, which neighbours Germany.

Tim Koch, livestock analyst at AMI, said Germany has reporting new ASF cases weekly. Even though some third countries have permitted German pork imports, these are low numbers compared to China. He said China has imported more German meat in 2020 than all the other countries put together.

The German agriculture ministry said in a statement that Chinese and German officials have discussed the issue, with further negotiations expected.

Wholesale pork prices in Germany have started to rise after record lows at the start of the ASF outbreak, as Germany is able to sell some excess pork supply within the European Union with a backlog of swine abated. 

However, German swine farmers are facing surging feed prices and additional regulations from the government. Countries cannot declare to be free from ASF until one year after their last case.

- Bloomberg