May 28, 2012
For the first quarter of 2012, Ukraine's pig breeding farms produced 4.2% more pork compared to the same period for 2011.
In France, a 20% added value to taxes is expected to benefit all pig meat and charcuterie products selected for the "Origine Montagne" new brand launched in Lyon. Around 800 producers will supply to 25 abattoirs and 100 processors approved by the association "Porc Montagne".
Dutch-based company Vion is impacted by the lengthening of payment terms by retailers not only in the Netherlands, but in Europe as a whole. Meanwhile, pig genetics companies have reported a 7.5% increase in sales of PIC Piétrain while TOPIGS sale of semen dropped by 11.9%.
According to Matteo Bernardelli of ANAS, Italian production costs are currently the highest compared to its European counterparts. As a result, production costs need to come down. Pig health is generally poor and, according to data from the European Commission the cost of feed paid by producers at EUR36.27 (US$45.67) per 100 kilogrammes is also the highest in the EU.
In the US, consumer confidence has risen considerably - climbing to its highest level in four years. The index beat expectations, as a survey of 68 economists indicated the index would drop to 76 based on an average of their projections. The index now has advanced for the ninth straight month, the longest stretch of consecutive gains since the monthly survey began in 1978.
