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6489  MIA: NZ red meat exports steady despite volatile global markets  New Zealand’s red meat exports lifted slightly in April, with exports worth $996 million, a two per cent increase on April 2022, according to an analysis by the Meat Industry Association, following three consecutive months of year-on-year declines.  <p style="font-weight: 400;">New Zealand&rsquo;s red meat exports lifted slightly in April, with exports worth $996 million, a two per cent increase on April 2022, according to an analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA).</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The release of the April export data follows three consecutive months of year-on-year declines.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Overall, beef exports increased by 18 per cent to 46,732 tonnes with the value up six per cent to $420m.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Beef exports to China were up by 23 per cent in volume to 18,764 tonnes, and seven per cent by value to $155m. Exports to the US increased by 45 per cent in volume to 18,296 tonnes and 32 per cent by value to $166m.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">It appears that US domestic beef production is slowing down with the drought conditions easing in some parts of the country, and there is some increase in demand for imported beef.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Beef exports to Korea and Japan both fell, with Japan down 55 per cent by volume to 1,437 tonnes and 56 per cent by value to $14m. This was compared to a record month for beef exports to Japan in April 2022. Japanese consumer spending was also impacted during April this year by the highest non-fresh food prices in 47 years.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Overall, sheepmeat exports volumes were up 10 per cent to 38,627 tonnes with value down two per cent to $393m. Compared to last April, there was a growth in exports to China and the major European markets, but declines into the US and UK.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The overall decline in value and the decline to the US are partly the result of a drop from high values last April. However, conditions in the UK remain challenging for sheepmeat.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Compared to April last year, there was an increase in red meat exports to China (up 21% to $379m), the US (up 7% to $235m) and Germany (up 30% to $32m). However, this was offset by decreases to the UK (down 40% to $34m), Japan (down 49% to $28m) and Korea (down 21% to $24m).</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Overall fifth quarter exports were up three per cent to $183m.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">MIA chief executive Sirma Karapeeva said that while the results were encouraging, global markets remain volatile and uncertain.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">"A positive trend was that the average export value of both beef and sheepmeat continued to increase from the recent low levels we saw at the beginning of this year.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">"However, there were fluctuations in exports of both sheepmeat and beef to key markets. Exports to China, the US and Germany all increased year-on-year and beef performed very well. However, there were decreases in all exports to the UK, where consumer spending remains constrained in the face of continued high food inflation, and also a drop to Japan and Korea.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">"While April 2023 export values for both beef and sheepmeat were still above the recent five-year average for April, the ongoing volatility in our global markets means we still remain cautious about the near term prospects".</p>    Market adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-08 00:10:02  2025-07-30 09:35:42  Details Edit Delete
6487  The Chilean pig sector transition to green energy  Renewable energies are becoming increasingly fundamental in reducing CO2 in the atmosphere. The Chilean pork industry contributes through the use of biomass -organic waste for the production of biofuels-, which is key in the implementation of a more sustainable economy.   <p>Although in Chile there are still no pig sector plants dedicated to purifying biogas into biomethane to obtain a similar fuel, there is great potential for the development of eco-fuels, which requires synergy with other sectors.</p> <p>Global aviation today faces significant challenges amid climate uncertainty. As such, in 2022, US clean energy company Fulcrum BioEnergy achieved a major milestone by becoming the first commercial facility to produce low-carbon crude oil, which was refined into a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This innovative technology converts household trash into renewable transportation fuels, which not only reduces landfill waste, but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions by favoring the use of clean transportation fuels.</p> <p>The methane biogas production process, obtained from supplies from landfills, agricultural operations and wastewater treatment facilities, offers a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuel used in aircraft. The aforementioned waste is turned into small confetti-like raw materials, which are then transformed into syngas , a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen molecules. This syngas is put through the Fischer-Tropsch process , which converts it into liquid jet fuels.</p> <p>The capture and conversion of methane from biogas into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) allows to reduce CO2 emissions, use resources efficiently and generate lower GHG emissions compared to fossil fuels.<br />The Association of Chilean Meat Exporters, ChileCarne, is working on the technological, energy and environmental transformation of companies, promoting the use of technologies for the treatment of pig slurry, which can be used as biofuels. . These technologies allow long-term sustainable production by reducing greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions, while reconciling the activity with local communities.</p> <p>Daniela &Aacute;lvarez, ChileCarne's Sustainability Manager, stressed the positive impact of the actions implemented in the Chilean pork industry in the last decade: "Thanks to technologies such as biodigesters, which allow the production of biogas from manure, it has been possible to a 26% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per capita from hog produced in the last 20 years. Currently, the biogas generated by the 19 existing biodigesters in pig farms is used to a large extent in the generation of renewable electrical energy, or in boilers, for heating the animals and the biodigesters themselves, or in pelleting feed. Although in Chile we still do not have any plant dedicated to the purification of biogas into biomethane, there is great potential for the development of eco-fuels that support reductions in oil consumption and contribute to the circular economy, especially if we think about synergies with other sectors&rdquo;.</p> <p>In relation to this, and considering the necessary strengthening for the generation of initiatives that promote the use of biofuels, the incorporation of pork producing companies to the Conscious Chile Origin Program provides them with concrete opportunities to address the issue of Greenhouse Gas Effect (GHG) and look to the future. </p> <p>&ldquo;From the Chilean pork industry point of view, we are firmly convinced that we must participate in the energy transition to achieve a significant and immediate reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2. For this reason, beyond the actions that we have already carried out and that we are constantly measuring and certifying, we are open to new alliances that allow us to contribute even more to the global goals of climate neutrality and where eco-fuels are key," concluded Daniela Alvarez.</p>    Technology adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-07 00:03:28  2025-07-30 13:17:17  Details Edit Delete
6486  How does Australian goatmeat fare on the world stage?  Meat & Livestock Australia has released its annual Global snapshot: Goatmeat, offering a comprehensive analysis of Australia's leading role in the global goatmeat market.  <p>The snapshot delves into Australian goatmeat&rsquo;s supply and demand dynamics, providing a detailed overview of key factors such as domestic slaughter and production, supply volumes, price, exports and market access. It also includes an extensive analysis of Australia's top goat markets, with updated insights on trends that underpin current demand and future opportunities. </p> <p>Australian production and supply</p> <p>Australian goat production grew for a second consecutive year, following a 20-year low in 2020 caused by several years of adverse conditions that reduced supply. Sustained favourable conditions triggered an expansion in the flock size and higher carcase weights, flowing through to increased supply volumes across all states. Goatmeat had enjoyed record-high over-the-hook prices since mid-2019, but a combination of factors saw reduced prices in the second half of 2022.</p> <p>Australian exports<br />Although Australia is a relatively minor goatmeat producer in a global context, it shines as the world's leading exporter. Following increased supply since 2020, exports have continued rising, reaching an all-time high value of A$261 million in 2022. The US remains by far the largest market for Australian goatmeat, followed by South Korea, which has seen rapid growth in recent years. Canada, Taiwan, and Trinidad &amp; Tobago are also major destinations. In Q1 2023, an export surge to China&rsquo;s mainland saw it become a top market for the quarter.</p> <p>Domestic market<br />While Australia is a net goatmeat exporter, the domestic market also represents a significant opportunity, with specific consumer segments driving growth. Recognising the opportunity for broader appeal, MLA launched the &lsquo;Goatober&rsquo; campaign to raise awareness and encourage Australian goatmeat&rsquo;s presence on global restaurant menus.</p> <p>North America<br />The US is by far Australia's largest export market, with Canada an emerging destination. Despite Australia's dominant position as a supplier to both countries, Mexico has increased its goatmeat exports to the US. While goatmeat is a niche protein with low awareness among the general public, the large populations of several ethnic backgrounds drive demand.</p> <p>South Korea<br />The Korean market has experienced rapid growth in import demand for Australian goatmeat, becoming Australia's second-largest export destination for a second consecutive year. Increasing consumer interest in overall health and the positive health association of goatmeat have been significant drivers of the demand for Australian goatmeat in recent years.</p> <p>Taiwan<br />Taiwan has been a long-standing trade partner, with Australia supplying almost all of Taiwan's goatmeat imports. Taiwan primarily imports skin-on carcases, which are typically consumed in winter due to the product's association with body strengthening and warming properties. </p> <p>China Mainland<br />Despite China being the world's largest goatmeat producer supplying its domestic market, mainland China&rsquo;s demand for Australian goatmeat surged in Q1 2023, supported by a combination of now-zero tariffs, low prices and an opportunity to feature at a May Day BBQ festival.</p> <p>The Caribbean<br />The Caribbean has a large goat flock and a long tradition of enjoying goatmeat. Australia has been a reliable supplier to Trinidad &amp; Tobago for over 30 years. While tight supply in Australia and strong demand from other markets had reduced exports, this trend started to reverse in 2022 as Australian goatmeat prices eased and Trinidad &amp; Tobago's economy improved. </p> <p>Livestock exports<br />Australian&rsquo;s live goat exports have been in decline for several years and registered their lowest volumes for some years in 2022. Regulations, high freight costs and high prices have reduced competitiveness of live goats versus domestic supply and cheaper alternatives such as sheepmeat.</p>    Market adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-07 05:40:31  2025-07-29 20:41:45  Details Edit Delete
6485  Eva van der Velde, Marel: “Nuova-i brings lots of added value”  Eva van der Velde, Product Technologist at Marel, evaluates Marel’s brand new Nuova-i eviscerator, which has been in operation in a real production environment for several months now.  <p>&ldquo;The Nuova-i certainly brings lots of added value. It brings peace and quiet in both production and technical departments, because performance figures are consistent, meaning consistently high.&rdquo;<br />&ldquo;With Nuova-i, evisceration performance is known at any moment and more stable than ever before. People on the factory floor know exactly what to do and they need to do much less than they&rsquo;re used to. So they can work in a more structured way.&rdquo;</p> <p>Poultry processors usually process various flock weights, from 1,700 to 3,200 grams [3.7 to 7 lbs] average live weight, for example. The art of evisceration is having consistently high performance on all weights &aacute;nd performing well in the giblet pack harvesting line too. The combination of both skills makes it tricky, but Marel comes out best in any comparison. Correct handling of flock weight variations is one of the most important aspects of evisceration. Until now, evisceration settings were for a given flock weight. Processing a lighter flock with these same settings would compromise performance. On the other hand, adjusting the machine for a different average flock weight required precise intervention by experts who knew what they were doing.</p> <p>Eva van der Velde comments, &ldquo;With Nuova-i, every operator knows what to do with each flock. When a heavy flock arrives, you simply select the right program on the touchscreen. The machine settings then adjust themselves. When light birds come in, you press the icon with the small chicken to activate the corresponding program; it is as simple as that. This works wonderfully. Performance stays incredibly stable.&rdquo;</p> <p>Nuova-i gives confidence in the production line, because it is data-driven and depends less on human interpretation. Eva van der Velde continues, &ldquo;Previously, when something seemed to be wrong, an emergency call went out immediately to Technical Service. Then the technical guys started rechecking everything, because they didn&rsquo;t know where to look for the cause. That would cost a lot of unnecessary hours, especially if, in the end, nothing was wrong.</p> <p>With Nuova-i, the figures are consistent and uptime is close to the maximum. There aren&rsquo;t unexpected incidents any more and there&rsquo;s no reason to panic or make an emergency call to the Technical Department. The screen shows in real-time when one of the evisceration units tends to underperformance or needs maintenance. There&rsquo;s plenty of time to take preventive action.&rdquo; With Nuova-i, processors will have more reliable and relevant data at their fingertips, which certainly provides a lot of added value. They can be more data-driven than ever, allowing them to predict even what their yield is going to be.</p> <p>The integrated Nuova-i software package in its most complete form is combined with the overarching IMPAQT software for the primary line. This software cooperation brings up additional real-time data on Nuova-i&rsquo;s HMI display, such as information about &lsquo;one-leggers&rsquo; and shackle performance. The new HMI screen is very straightforward to use. &ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t require much training. Half an hour&rsquo;s instruction will do. Operation of the machine is that simple.</p> <p>&ldquo;The new technological improvements of Nuova-i, such as the new spoon, have definitely made the whole operation more hygienic. Due to improved viscera pack separation, the process is much cleaner. The pack is also more compact. Intestines hang out less, so there is less soiling and less chance of cross-contamination. No intestinal remains are left behind in the evisceration line.&rdquo; Eva van der Velde also talks about the new pack shackle, &ldquo;The connection with IMPAQT enables processors to see specifically the performance of the new pack shackles. They perform more stably and more durably, because they wear out less and are more robust. Another advantage of the new shackles is that they drop fewer than 0.5 percent of the packs.</p> <p>Giblet harvesting can&rsquo;t be adaptive; it&rsquo;s a uniform way of working and the same for all incoming products. Therefore, it is logical that the giblet harvesting process benefits greatly from the consistent and compact viscera pack produced by Nuova-i. &ldquo;There are no longer different types of packs, like the one that is a bit torn or another that has long strings of guts. They are all the same, so there is virtually no loss during harvesting,&rdquo; concludes Eva van der Velde.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>    Technology adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-07 00:00:58  2025-07-29 23:03:09  Details Edit Delete
6484  Australia: More meat, less methane  Producers and researchers are working together in a ground-breaking Meat & Livestock Australia Donor Company-funded program to establish how to produce more red meat while emitting less methane.  <p>Through the new Pastures for Carbon Neutrality program, NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and MLA Donor Company have committed to a suite of five-year research projects to investigate complex interactions between soil, plant and animal performance. The program is part of MLA&rsquo;s Emissions Avoidance Partnership and feedbase research and development investments.</p> <p>Pastures for Carbon Neutrality will work with producers to investigate opportunities to reduce methane emissions from livestock through the most appropriate pasture combinations and management. It focuses on effective management of acidic soils.</p> <p>NSW DPI Temperate Pastures leader Dr Kathryn Egerton-Warburton said in order to progress towards the industry&rsquo;s goal of carbon neutrality 2030, practice change has to result in the production system being at least as productive as it is today.</p> <p>&ldquo;Engagement with producers and industry stakeholders throughout this program will ensure recommendations have a focus on productivity and profitability targets in addressing objectives of reduced methane emissions and improved soil carbon sequestration,&rdquo; she said.</p> <p>The Pastures for Carbon Neutrality program comprises three areas:<br />1. Low methane emissions pastures. This area focuses on screening and evaluation of pasture species and mixtures for productivity, persistence, feed value and anti-methanogenic potential.<br />Outcome for producers: Management guidelines for pasture establishment and grazing for sustainable livestock production with reduced methane emissions.<br />2. Pastures for acidic soils. This area addresses what for many red meat producers is the first limiting factor to pasture productivity. This activity will extend updated information regarding amelioration of soil acidity and investigate productive pasture mixes (including legumes) to increase animal performance and improve soil carbon.<br />Outcome for producers: Management guidelines for soil acidity with a focus on pasture productivity.<br />3. Rapid near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology. Building on technology developed for assessing feed quality in pastures, researchers will develop a commercially applicable NIRs calibration to enable rapid and affordable prediction of methane production from animal diets. This will facilitate the early stages of selecting low methane producing forages for plant breeding programs.Outcome for producers: Producers will be able to send feedbase samples for testing of greenhouse gas emissions.</p> <p>Dr Kathryn Egerton-Warburton said all areas of the program will involve laboratory, field plot and large farm-scale demonstrations, and will measure the impacts of various scenarios and species on soil carbon stocks and soil acidity as well as livestock production and emissions.&ldquo;In research, we need to recognise and build on the inter-relationships,&rdquo; she said.<br />&ldquo;Once we pull one lever, for example, addressing soil pH limitations &ndash; then we need to address the change in paddock composition and the new decisions which need to be made, such as sowing rate, preparation, grazing management. What new options will then be on the table and how do they fit within the production system?&rdquo;</p> <p>Underpinning the research design is the need for all outcomes to be easily implemented by producers while retaining or lifting productivity. </p>    Technology adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-06 00:01:19  2025-07-30 09:33:30  Details Edit Delete
6488  RAPS launches vegan chicken alternative  The Plantfix Chicken Style dry mix contains everything needed for a delicious meat alternative: textured pea protein provides the right consistency and anticipated light beige colour, while the specially developed chicken seasoning ensures authentic taste. Together with oil and ice water, it becomes a mass that can be shaped as desired.  <p style="font-weight: 400;">The RAPS Plantfix range perfectly addresses growing demand for plant-based alternative products thanks to its ease of handling and processing. In principle, no equipment is required for mixing with oil and ice water; depending on the quantity, a mixer or cutter can be used. The mixture is then shaped into the desired form and cooled. The complete mixes are designed to form a meat-like texture during preparation and convince with a delicious chicken taste. What&rsquo;s more, they do not contain any declarable allergens or flavour-enhancing additives.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Plantfix Chicken is suitable as a basis for numerous products and variations. In addition to vegetable barbecue skewers, it is also easy to make a vegan equivalent to chicken nuggets. As a dry product, the Fix mixture does not need to be refrigerated, and the finished products have optimal freeze-thaw stability. This also makes for numerous creative applications for the food service sector.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to the chicken variant, RAPS offers two other Plantfix options for alternative grilled delights. While the vegan burger patty is characterised by a spicy-smoky flavour with onions and pepper, the Plantfix Cevapcici promises fresh herbal notes with marjoram and thyme. All Plantfix mixes are available in handy bags and equate to about 2.5kg of the meat alternative.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Melanie Flachsenberger, Product Manager at RAPS, comments: "The right counter selection enables customers to do all their shopping for a barbecue in one go - even if there are guests with different dietary preferences. For summer barbecue skewers, chicken is a must-have, and the same goes for the vegan chicken alternative that can be made with minimal effort using our premixes".</p>    Technology adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-08 00:05:42  2025-07-29 12:05:54  Details Edit Delete
6483  INTERPORC strengthens the position of the Spanish pig sector in South Korea  The Interprofessional INTERPORC reinforces the position of the pig sector internationally with its successful participation in the 'Seoul Food & Hotel' fair, held in South Korea, on the sixth country of destination for Spanish exports of meat and products made from Spanish pork.  <p>In total, 11 Spanish companies from the sector showed their 'SPANISH PORK' products -the brand that internationally identifies meat and products from Spanish white-coated pigs-, in the grouped INTERPORC pavilion.<br />During four days, INTERPORC has carried out numerous activities, including show cooking , cutting demonstrations and tasting of white layer ham and sausages, among other activities.</p> <p>Another notable event in which INTERPORC has participated has been the &lsquo;&lsquo;Culinary Challenge&lsquo;&lsquo;, co-organized by the KCA-Korea Chefs Association and supported by the Worldchefs-World Association of Chefs Societies, in which 24 chefs competed making recipes in which they had to include as star products bacon and pork cheek .</p> <p>On the other hand, INTERPORC, in collaboration with the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, organized the 'Spanish Pork Night' on May 31, at The Xef restaurant, a networking meeting between Spanish companies and Korean importers, which was attended, among other personalities, the economic and commercial adviser, Dar&iacute;o Jos&eacute; S&aacute;ez M&eacute;ndez.</p> <p>Spanish pork exports to South Korea amounted to more than 145,000 tons in 2022, exceeding 477 million euros in value.<br />Since 2015, Spanish exports of white-coated pork products to the Republic of Korea have grown without interruption, up to close to 138% in the last eight years. In fact, South Korea has become the sixth destination country for the Spanish products.</p> <p>South Korea imports a high volume of pork meat in order to meet its growing domestic consumption. In the year 2022, the Asian country imported more than 600,000 tons of meat and pork products. Of this total, the Spanish pig sector was the second largest supplier, with 26% of imports.</p> <p>Spanish companies have been able to take advantage of the opportunity to establish their position in this Asian market, maintaining their leadership as the second supplier, only surpassed by the United States and far behind the next (Canada, with 10.7%).</p>    Events adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-03 00:20:00  2025-07-29 12:38:41  Details Edit Delete
6482  AHDB: Demand for frozen red meat gains share   Frozen red meat is big business in retail, with £185.3 million worth of frozen red meat sold in the 12 w/e 16 April 2023, a £26.2 million (16.5%) increase year-on-year (YOY) informs AHDB. Frozen accounted for 10.2% of total red meat volume sales, an increase of 0.4 percentage points YOY, according to Kantar.  <p>While the increase in spend will have been heightened due to food-price inflation, volumes sold increased by 537k kilograms (1.4%) YOY and were also up 1.3% versus pre-pandemic levels (12 w/e 21 April 2019). The cost-of-living crisis has impacted consumer purchasing patterns, with consumers switching to frozen red meat due to its lower price point at &pound;4.83/kg, on average 39.2% cheaper than its fresh counterpart.</p> <p>Overall, volumes of frozen beef and pig meat purchased in supermarkets have bucked the general trend, seeing YOY increases despite the declines seen for fresh and grocery volumes. Nevertheless, frozen lamb has seen declines. Yet, year-to-date (YTD) imports of carcases, primal and primary frozen cuts of red meat are down YOY, especially from the EU for beef and pork (HMRC, Trade Data Monitor LLC).</p> <p>Frozen beef accounts for 12.7% of total beef volumes and is gaining share, as in the 12 w/e 16 April 2023 (Kantar), total volumes of frozen beef sold increased slightly (+1.8%, 303k kg) YOY. While only marginal, this has taken volumes from more expensive, fresh beef which saw declines.</p> <p>Growth in frozen beef was driven by ready meals and added value products. Purchases of frozen ready meals rose by 8.8% (558k kg) YOY, slowly increasing over the last 18 months. Frozen beef ready meals accounted for more than half of all growth in frozen beef as these still remain one of the cheapest beef products, and shoppers are also increasingly looking for convenient meal options. Frozen sous vide volumes were up 54.1% YOY.</p> <p>However, sales of processed frozen beef fell by 5.4% and frozen primary beef was down 24.2%. Frozen mince saw the largest decline of 441k kg (-25.3%) YOY. This shows shoppers&rsquo; drive for value as fresh mince is in growth and is currently &pound;0.34/kg cheaper than frozen. Therefore, with mince generally being a cheaper source of protein, and a sizable minority of people seeing chilled/fresh food as better quality than frozen (Mintel's Report Attitudes towards Frozen Foods - UK, 2021), this has increased fresh mince sales. Frozen burgers and grills also saw volume declines of 5.5%, the second largest contributor to falling volumes.</p> <p>YTD (Jan-Mar) frozen beef imports totalled 17,550 t, with imports for the first quarter down 19.9% (-4,360 t) YOY and also on the 5-year average (HMRC, Trade Data Monitor LLC). Since the EU dominates exports of frozen beef to the UK, notable YOY declines in imports from Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands and France have driven this overall decline.</p> <p>Looking at products specifically, only imports of beef carcases saw YTD imports increase (+20 t) YOY, as frozen carcases may have gained volumes from fresh carcases which saw losses. However, this only makes up a small proportion of imports. YTD boneless and bone-in beef saw large declines of 19.7% (-4,220 t) and 35.1% (-160 t) respectively compared to the same period in 2022. While overall frozen beef purchasing volumes have increased so far this year, the reduction in imports reflects the expected reduced consumer demand for beef for the full year as food-price inflation leads to trading down to cheaper proteins.</p> <p>Frozen pig meat volumes have also increased, by 3.1% (501k kg) YOY for the 12 w/e 16 April 2023 (Kantar). This may have taken volumes from more expensive, fresh pig meat which saw declines over this period. Overall, this has led to a YOY increase in the proportion of frozen pig meat that makes up total pig meat volumes, now at 7.8%.</p> <p>The increase in pig meat volumes was mainly due to a 4.7% (402 kg) rise YOY in processed pig meat purchases. This growth was driven by a 9.6% increase (682k kg) in frozen sausages. Sausages remain the product with the largest frozen pig meat sales as they are a staple, one of the cheapest pig meat products at just &pound;2.84/kg, and their discount to fresh sausages has increased over the last year. Moreover, sales of frozen burgers and grills have been increasing since the start of 2022, and this has continued with volumes 42.5% (139 kg) greater YOY. Therefore, this reflects consumers increasingly shopping on a budget, for frozen, processed products to help save money.</p> <p>However, some categories, such as bacon, gammon and sous vide, have continued volume declines seen over the last two years. For the latter two products, this may be because they are more expensive than their fresh counterparts.</p> <p>A similar story was seen in frozen pork as YTD imports fell by 6.9% (-1,450 t) YOY to 19,460 t according to HMRC data compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC. This was mainly due to reduced volumes from Germany, Spain and Poland, although imported volumes grew from the Netherlands, Denmark and Ireland. This declining trend is likely due to tight EU supplies as production is forecast to decline by 5% in 2023 due to a fall in breeding sow numbers and high prices, which have reduced the EU&rsquo;s export competitiveness. Yet with consumer demand for cheaper, frozen pig meat products, this may be limiting some of the export decline.</p> <p>Following a 19.3% (-532 kg) YOY decline in frozen sheep meat sales (Kantar, 12 w/e 16 April 2023), frozen volumes now only make up 10.4% of total sheep meat sales, compared to 12.7% a year earlier. Therefore, declines in frozen sheep meat sales have outpaced those of fresh volumes.</p> <p>This decline in purchasing volumes can be partly attributed to frozen ready meals, which saw a 31.5% (-224k kg) drop YOY. Sous vide also saw a fairly substantial drop in volumes of 35.8% (-145 kg). This followed the trend of declining purchases over at least the last 18 months for both products as prices have increased. With lamb being the most expensive protein of the three, we have seen shoppers reduce their lamb consumption and purchase cheaper proteins like beef and pig meat.</p> <p>There is no exception to the general trend for sheep meat imports, with YTD volumes falling by 32.1% (3,640 t) YOY, and also compared to the 5-year average, sitting at just 7,690 t (HMRC, Trade Data Monitor LLC). This was driven by imports from New Zealand and Australia, the UK&rsquo;s two largest international sheep meat suppliers, falling by 25.1% (-1,600 t) and 54.0% (-1,940 t) respectively YOY. This points to a return to the declining trajectory of UK sheep meat imports, following growth in 2022. A combination of continued recovery in New Zealand exports to China, against a backdrop of declining New Zealand production, will be important market drivers, as well as pressure on consumer demand domestically.<br />Over roughly the same period, volumes of frozen lamb sold in supermarkets fell, which will have contributed to the YOY decline in sheep meat imports seen for most product categories. The most significant drops in volume terms were seen for imports of boneless lamb (-1,510 t, -45.2%) and sheep legs (-970 t, -20.6%).</p> <p>With frozen red meat often being cheaper than fresh versions of the same products, they provide a budget-friendly version with the benefit of added convenience. Food-price inflation is causing consumers to seek to spend less on food and cook their own meals at home more often. This provides opportunities for more frozen red meat products to be offered at promotional prices, especially as less frozen red meat than fresh is sold on promotion, at just 22% compared to 26% (Kantar, 12 w/e 16 April 2023). With the pandemic highlighting the importance of having a well-stocked freezer, increasing the prevalence of recipe inspiration on displays and on packaging could help to boost consumer demand.</p> <p>A further opportunity lies in the green credentials that frozen meat possesses, considering red meat can be preserved longer by freezing &ndash; thereby helping to minimise food waste along the supply chain and in-home, a key issue at present. Highlighting these claims on packaging could be key to attracting the environmentally minded consumer to purchase more of these products, especially as the environmental impact of food is becoming more important for shoppers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>    Retail adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-06 00:05:00  2025-07-30 14:04:10  Details Edit Delete
6481  Danish Crown: Sales of organic meat are under pressure  Decline in sales causes turnover in Friland to fall by 13 percent in the first half of the financial year 2022/23. Therefore, the payment for the unit owners' deliveries of pigs has fallen by three kroner per kilo.  <p>Rising costs for, among other things, energy have hit consumers hard, and this has largely affected the sale of organic meat. Friland, which is Danish Crown's organic sales company, clearly notices this. In the first six months of the financial year 2022/23, turnover in Friland has fallen by 13 percent from 549 million DKK in 2021/22 to now DKK 478 million.</p> <p>&rsquo;&rsquo;It is always unsatisfactory to lose ground, but taking the market into account we had actually feared an even worse development. Through a targeted effort, we have managed our way through, so that despite the challenges, ecology is as strong as possible,&lsquo;&lsquo; says director of Friland, Claus Hein.<br />The trend can also be seen in the total sales of organic meat in Denmark in 2022, where figures from Statistics Denmark show that sales of organic beef, pork and chicken fell by 26, 27 and 20 percent respectively, compared to the previous year. The development has not changed in the first three months of 2023, and it is not a sustainable situation in the long run.</p> <p>&lsquo;&lsquo;If we are to maintain a wide selection of organic products from Friland in most supermarkets, then we need the Danish consumers to support ecology. It is absolutely crucial that we get sales up, so that it becomes financially sustainable to have organic animal husbandry in Denmark again. Because we are approaching a point where many of our producers will choose whether they want to continue their organic production,&lsquo;&lsquo; says Claus Hein.<br />Friland's average payment to the organic suppliers of pigs has fallen by three kroner from DKK 25.76 to DKK 22.40 per kilo in the first half of the financial year 2022/23 compared to the same period in 2021/22. This is a decrease of 13 percent. In the same period, the total average payment to the suppliers of organic beef has increased slightly from DKK 29.56 per kilo to DKK 30.39 per kilo due to a low supply of beef in Europe. Finally, the suppliers of conventional free-range pigs in the first half of 2022/23 have been settled DKK 15.12 per kilo compared to DKK 12.30 per kilo in the first six months of 2021/22, but despite the increase, the economy is also challenged for this group by producers.</p> <p>&lsquo;&lsquo;It is the ambition that the settlement, which reflects the market, must be able to ensure that the farmer can make a living by producing for our concepts, but this has not been the case for more than a year now for the cooperative owners who supply pigs, because they have had very high costs for special feed and energy,&lsquo;&lsquo; says Claus Hein.<br />Danish Crown, which owns Friland, continues to believe that ecology has its justification with the Danish consumer. But a continued development of the organic sector in Denmark requires, according to Group CEO of Danish Crown, Jais Valeur, that the Danes will support Friland's products, so that the production of organic pork and beef in Denmark can be maintained.</p> <p>&lsquo;&lsquo;At Danish Crown, we believe in ecology, and we see Friland as one of the group's flagships. This is also the reason why, through Friland, we invest in branding and positioning ecology. In the long run, however, we are dependent on consumers choosing organic in the fridge if there is to continue to be a preponderance of Danish products on the market,&lsquo;&lsquo; says Jais Valeur, Group CEO of Danish Crown.</p>    Retail adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-05 00:03:28  2025-07-29 20:07:27  Details Edit Delete
6480  AHDB: Q1 23 Pork trade roundup  UK pork production has been severely impacted by the market conditions of the past 2 years, leading to tight domestic supplies, according to AHDB.  <p>This has had a direct impact on our trading volumes with less product available for export. In the first quarter of 2023 (Jan-Mar) the UK has exported 78,500 tonnes of pig meat (including offal), a 21% drop year on year. This is the lowest volume shipped in the past 5 years with monthly volumes in February and March significantly behind the monthly 5-year averages (-13% and -24% respectively).</p> <p>Shipments of fresh and frozen pork have seen the largest declines in volumes, down 39% year on year to 34,700 tonnes. This has resulted in the market share of exports made up of fresh and frozen pork product contracting to 44%, down from 66% 5 years ago. In contrast, shipments of offal have recorded a small increase with volumes up 3% year on year to 35,300 tonnes. This has led to offal now taking the largest market share of exports at 45%, up from 24% 5 years ago. Although offal remains a low value product, it is positive to see uptake in the market increase as ultimately this adds value to the whole pig carcase by aiding with carcase balance and reducing waste.</p> <p>Shipments to all major trading partners were down year on year. Volumes sent to the EU and the Philippines were down 10,900 tonnes and 4,600 tonnes respectively, while China saw a smaller decline of 2,100 tonnes. However, they were some small gains in volumes made in the wider East Asia region, demonstrating how important the region is to the pork industry. Shipped volumes to Singapore doubled year on year and volumes to South Korea increased 36%, albeit from low bases.</p> <p>Inflation remains high, despite tentative signs of easing, driving a cost-of-living crisis for consumers which has lead to weakening domestic demand. The latest data (52 weeks ending 14 May) shows volumes of pork purchased in the retail market have fallen by 3%. Added to this, the European pig market is also running on tight supplies, reducing product availability and price competitiveness.<br />These factors have resulted in UK pig meat imports for the year to date (Jan-Mar) declining 17% year on year to 185,600 tonnes. Although this is not as low as the total volume for the first 3 months of 2021, when the departure from the EU impacted trade flows, it is significantly below the 5 year average (-10%).<br />All key product categories have recorded import volume declines in 2023 so far. Bacon has seen the largest volume drop, down 29% year on year to 43,900 tonnes. This volume loss has resulted in the market share of bacon in UK imports dropping from 28% in Q1 2022 to 24% in Q1 2023. Fresh and frozen pork retains the largest market share of imported product to the UK at 41% but has also seen a significant fall in volumes, down 18% year on year to 77,000 tonnes. However, the sausage category has only recorded a small dip, down 3% year on year, totalling 34,300 tonnes. This is a 10% increase on the 5 year average for Q1 imported sausage volumes and has resulted in the category increasing its market share of UK imports to 18% in 2023.</p>    Market adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-04 00:02:10  2025-07-30 12:45:39  Details Edit Delete
6479  JBS reduces Friboi's direct CO2 emissions by 65 percent  With an investment of R$54 million ( 1 BRL = 0,18 EUR ), the company is implementing biodigestor systems in its facilities to produce biogas.  <p>JBS, one of the largest food companies in the world, is installing biodigesters to give a new destination to the methane emitted in its industrial operations: the production of biogas, a renewable and clean energy. The first phase of the initiative covers the nine largest Friboi units and will reduce scope 1 emissions from the business by 65%, which represents a 24.6% reduction in scope 1 emissions from all JBS activities in Brazil.</p> <p>With an investment of BRL 54 million, this is the largest project of its kind in the protein industry in the country, reducing the environmental impact of its production process.<br />The biodigesters will capture the methane gas emitted by the company's operations and transform it into biogas, a clean fuel that has been gaining ground in the context of the global energy transition to a low-carbon matrix. Following the principles of the circular economy, biogas can be used on three fronts: to generate steam in the units' boilers, replacing biomass; as a source of electricity generation; and as fuel for the JBS carrier's fleet, replacing diesel or in a hybrid system. These applications make it possible to reduce Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (related to the use of electricity) emissions.</p> <p>At this first moment, the project will be implemented until mid-June 2023 in nine Friboi factories in the states of S&atilde;o Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Goi&aacute;s, Minas Gerais and Rond&ocirc;nia. The Andradina units, which already had a biodigester system since 2021, Campo Grande I, Lins, Mozarl&acirc;ndia and Ituiutaba have already completed their works. The others are in the final stages of implementation.</p> <p>&ldquo;In line with circular economy actions, biodigesters will reduce our methane emissions and start producing clean and renewable energy. This project reinforces our view that agribusiness is part of the solution to address the challenges of climate change that the world faces&rdquo;, says the corporate director of Sustainability at JBS Brasil, Maur&iacute;cio Bauer. Currently, almost 90% of the Company's electricity matrix in the country already comes from renewable energy sources.<br />Investment in biogas projects in Brazil is in line with JBS's commitment to become Net Zero by 2040, that is, to zero the net balance of greenhouse gas emissions throughout its value chain, reducing direct emissions and indirect and offsetting all residual emissions. Globally, JBS has been working to capture methane in its operations for decades.<br />Currently, 14 plants in the United States and Canada already have biodigester systems, producing 190,000 m&sup3;/d of biogas. This clean energy supplies boilers and is used to produce electricity at the company's units, in addition to being sold to gas companies. The projects in operation in the US and Canada reduced by 20% the external demand for natural gas, a fossil fuel, and caused JBS to stop emitting 650 thousand tons of greenhouse gases per year.<br />In North America, the Company intends to expand the biogas production projects in both countries and has plans to make new investments on this front in Mexico. In addition, in partnership with the company Energy360, JBS is investing in biogas projects in Australia, with the potential to eliminate the emission of 60 thousand tons of CO2 and save AUS$ 2 million per year in expenses with natural gas.<br />&ldquo;Our investments in biogas are a clear demonstration of our ambition to be a transformation agent for a low-carbon economy, in line with our Net Zero commitment&rdquo;, highlights Bauer.</p>    Technology adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-05 00:02:35  2025-07-30 12:02:38  Details Edit Delete
6478  Australia: Female slaughter rate driving herd growth  In early March, Meat & Livestock Australia ( MLA ) reported the female slaughter rate (FSR) was expected to remain low in Q1 2023. This is off the back 2022, when we saw the fifth lowest FSR on record and the lowest since 1996.  <p>In Q1 2023, the national FSR was 42.4% &ndash; a 0.3% increase from Q4 2021. Comparing year-on-year, the FSR rose 1.6%, although Q1 2022 was the lowest quarterly FSR since Q1 2011 and the second lowest (behind Q1 2011) since Q4 1994. <br />The Q1 2023 FSR was in the top 10% of lowest quarterly rates since records began in 1976. This data continues to support MLA&rsquo;s January Cattle Projections, where the Market Information team predicted the national herd would reach its highest level since 2014 at 28.8m head in 2023.</p> <p>At a state level, NSW provides the most accurate barometer for the overall rebuild/liquidation phase of the herd during the cattle cycle.<br />On a quarterly average basis since 1976, NSW has recorded an average spread of a 2.3% between its FSR and the national rate.<br />Importantly, Queensland&rsquo;s FSR declined by 1% year-on-year and 0.3% on a quarterly basis. This high retention rate of females is expected to continue well in 2023 as the state continues its rebuild, particularly in its northern pastoral regions.<br />In southern Queensland, seasonal conditions will determine the FSR for the remainder of the year, although producers are expected to retain females overall.<br />In WA and SA, the FSR fell favourably year-on-year, providing key support from these states for the overall national herd growth as female retention remains front of mind.<br />As expected, Victoria&rsquo;s FSR remains high. Overall, this figure is not a fair or accurate barometer of the state&rsquo;s herd rebuild due to the larger numbers of dairy cows processed in the state.<br />Considering NSW&rsquo;s herd growth is the most advanced of any state in the country, the FSR will most likely rise as 2023 progresses.<br />It&rsquo;s expected that supply of all cull females to the market (cast-for-age cows, cull cows and cull heifers) will increase as the requirement of NSW producers to retain larger numbers of females continues to diminish as a result of the above-average herd numbers on-farm.<br />Queensland&rsquo;s retention of females continues to remain strong, particularly following northern Australia&rsquo;s 2022&ndash;23 wet season. Although many areas were flood-affected, this generally bodes well for intense rebuilding in the key breeding herds of these regions in 2023.<br />The national FSR will fluctuate with the seasons in 2023 but is expected to rise as producers offload surplus females. Although the FSR may lift in 2023, it will remain below 47% in 2023 and therefore the herd&rsquo;s growth will continue in 2024.</p>    Market adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-04 00:01:44  2025-07-30 09:25:49  Details Edit Delete
6475  Cow condition drives reproductive performance  Results from a five-year beef progeny test show that body condition is a heritable trait and there is a strong correlation between cow body condition and reproductive performance.   <p>As part of her PhD, Agricultural scientist Franzi Weik has been analysing the data set collected from the five large-scale beef operations that participated in Beef + Lamb New Zealand&rsquo;s beef progeny test between 2014-2019.<br />Speaking at the recent B+LNZ Genetics field day at Kepler Station (South Island site of the Informing New Zealand Beef across-breed beef progeny test), Franzi says she looked at the phenotypical and genetics influences on body condition and the relationship between body condition score (BCS) and pregnancy.</p> <p><br />The cows in the progeny test were weighed and body condition scored three times a year; at mating, weaning and calving. They went through an artificial insemination programme followed by two cycles of natural mating.<br />She says to optimise conception, the breeding cow needs to be at a BCS of seven at mating. Beyond that there was no benefit in terms of conception rates, but there was a penalty in reproductive performance from having cows at a BCS below seven.</p> <p>Identifying low condition cows and preferentially feeding them before calving so they can reach a BCS of seven, will help improve reproductive performance at the next mating. This not only increases conception rates, conception happens earlier which helps tighten up the calving pattern.<br />&ldquo;The most value will be obtained by reducing the number of low conditioned cows in the herd,&rdquo; says Franzi. As a rule of thumb, 27kg will shift the BCS by one unit in Angus and Hereford cows.<br />Franzi says genetics are an additional tool that could be used to help the breeding cow herd maintain condition and get back in calf.<br />BCS has a heritability of 27 per cent so the right genetics could help lift the BCS of the entire herd by up to one BCS.<br />&ldquo;There is potential to identify sires with high genetic merit for BCS but at the moment we don&rsquo;t have EBVs for BCS to include in our bull selection.&rdquo;<br />As part of her research. Franzi looked at the relationship between cow BCS and fat measurements.<br />While EBVs for fat are valuable from a finishing point of view, they are a blunt instrument when it comes to helping lift BCS in breeding cows.<br />She says Rib Fat EBVs are an important tool for finishers to help them achieve industry targets of 3-10mm of fat, but they are not good indicators of body energy reserves in cows.</p> <p>Unfortunately, positive fat EBVs are the only tool farmers currently have in the toolbox, but they should be used primarily to improve the performance of the finishing herd.<br />The progeny test highlighted big the fluctuations in weight many breeding cows experience over the course of a year.<br />Franzi says there were big differences between farm and while this could be management and seasonally related, it showed how inter-related liveweight, BCS and reproductive performance are.</p>    Technology adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-02 00:03:10  2025-07-30 12:41:45  Details Edit Delete
6474  Meat-free products have potential to cause confusion with shoppers  The majority of shoppers feel meat-free products should be displayed separately to meat products in order to avoid confusion, according to research commissioned by AHDB.  <p>The research, undertaken by AHDB&rsquo;s Retail &amp; Consumer Insight team with The Smithfield Collective, set out to understand shoppers&rsquo; behaviour towards vegetarian and vegan products that are designed to compete with meat.<br />It found there is potential for confusion for shoppers, with shopping bays where meat and meat-free products were very mixed together being seen as potentially confusing by 52% of consumers.<br />Products from unfamiliar plant-based brands, or historically meat brands which look very realistic, are the most likely to be unclear at first glance.<br />The shopping missions are very different for meat and meat-free products with a different set of needs and drivers; therefore 60% of shoppers agreed non-meat products should be displayed in a different place to meat products.<br />Consumers also agreed meat-free products are trying to replicate meat, with 69% agreeing plant-based products try to describe themselves in a way that sounds like meat.<br />Fifty per cent of shoppers agree that meat-free products shouldn&rsquo;t use words like &lsquo;steak&rsquo; or &lsquo;bacon&rsquo;, and 47% feel they shouldn&rsquo;t use &lsquo;sausage&rsquo; and &lsquo;burger&rsquo;.<br />The research found that shoppers are fond of meat packaging, with 70% likeability on average across the three meat packs tested. This was much higher than the meat-free packs.<br />It was not only overall likeability where meat packs outperformed plant-based. The research found 75% of shoppers think the amount of detail on meat labels is about right, in comparison this is only 66% for plant-based packages.<br />Grace Randall, AHDB Retail Insight Manager said:<br />&ldquo;This research is helping provide retailers and processors with evidence to protect and grow red meat sales. The findings give the industry the evidence needed to challenge retailers or government that meat and meat-free products shouldn&rsquo;t be displayed together.<br />"AHDB will use these findings for further research in to how best to optimise meat packaging.&rdquo;</p>    Retail adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-02 00:04:10  2025-07-30 07:39:00  Details Edit Delete
6476  Genomic advantage puts Wales in the lead for sheep breeding information  The use of genomic breeding values is well established in the dairy sector and developing quickly in the beef industry; however, this is not the case for the UK sheep sector. An exciting new development as part of Hybu Cig Cymru Hill Ram Scheme has explored the feasibility of developing genomic breeding values in the hill sheep sector by taking advantage of the unique and large DNA database built up during the project.  <p>Livestock breeding involves the identification and selection for mating of those animals with the best genetics for a specific breeding objective. Traditionally the breeding values produced for breeders with performance recorded flocks have been predictions of an animal&rsquo;s genetic merit based on their performance and that of their relatives compared to other sheep in the flock.</p> <p>A recent feasibility study conducted as part of the Hill Ram Scheme shows that by accounting for genetic linkage between flocks, this prediction can go further and report genetic merit relative to the wider recorded population, offering breeders increased accuracy and confidence in genetics. Genomic Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) are used in the same way as non-genomic breeding values and contribute to the breeding index that has been developed for hill sheep.<br />We know each animal gets half of its genetic material from each parent and when a lamb is born it is assumed that its breeding potential sits halfway between that of its parents. In reality some lambs will get more of the better genes from each parent and some will get worse ones. One way to enhance our breeding evaluations would be to move away from making predictions about the genes we think an animal has inherited, to using genomic information that tells us about the actual genes it possesses.<br />As part of the Hill Ram Scheme, tissues samples have been collected from lambs, ewes and rams to extract DNA sequences (genotypes) in order to determine the parentage of lambs. While these genotypes allow verification of parentage and tell breeders about individual genes that have may have a large impact on performance, they can also be used to inform our breeding evaluations about the thousands of tiny bits of genetic variation on the DNA strand that when combined contribute for the overall genetic merit of the animal.<br />For breeding animals, the inclusion of their genotype and performance data into a genetic evaluation isn&rsquo;t the end of the story. As with conventional evaluations, as an animal accumulates progeny records the genomic component of its breeding values will gradually diminish. As accuracy values rise, estimates of genetic merit will get closer to the true breeding value of the individual enabling breeding decisions to be made with greater confidence.<br />Genomic information can provide a wealth of intelligence and insight but it is particularly useful for traits which take a long time to be assessed, such as ewe longevity, traits which are only expressed in females and traits which are very expensive to record, such as meat quality.</p> <p>This type of work and study is the first of its kind to have been undertaken in the world and puts Welsh farmers and breeders at the forefront of livestock breeding and genetic information. We are proud that we have been able to complete this work through the Hill Ram Scheme and demonstrate Wales&rsquo; ability as leaders in sustainable and effective hill farming.<br />The Hill Ram Scheme has been a 5-year initiative to empower hill farmers and breeders with genetic information through the use of the latest DNA recording technology. This has enabled performance recording to proceed without disrupting their hill management systems by allowing detection of parentage by matching the DNA of the ram, the ewe and lambs.<br />Part of the wider Red Meat Development Programme and funded through the Welsh Government and EU Rural Development Programme, the project&rsquo;s fundamental aim has been to encourage the use of data and genetics for hill farmers and breeders to make informed decisions about their flocks, with the aim to create a critical mass of performance recorded hill flocks in Wales, resulting in an improved trickle-down effect through Wales&rsquo; sheep systems.<br />The scheme now boasts a group of 50 engaged and enthusiastic farmers who have used the latest DNA technology to record within their flocks. These farmers are now planning to use the genomic data as well.</p>    Technology adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-03 00:03:33  2025-07-30 07:59:03  Details Edit Delete
6477  B+LNZ: Farmers facing highest on-farm inflation since early 1980s  For the second year in a row, sheep and beef farmers are facing on-farm inflation levels not seen since the early 80s, and it’s having a significant impact on the agricultural sector and rural communities.  <p>Beef + Lamb New Zealand&rsquo;s (B+LNZ) Sheep and beef on-farm inflation report shows a 40-year high at 16.3 percent, two and a half times the consumer price inflation rate of 6.7 percent.<br />In March, B+LNZ forecast a 30 percent decrease in average farm profit based on estimated on-farm inflation of 12&ndash;13 percent, but the latest numbers mean farm profit is likely to fall even further.<br />The jump to 16.3 percent for sheep and beef farm inputs between March 2022 and March 2023 follows a 10.2 percent increase over the previous 12-month period and is up 31.1 percent over the last five years.<br />&ldquo;We thought last year was bad, but this is the highest on-farm inflation rate for sheep and beef farmers in 40 years, since 1981&ndash;82, when on farm inflation was at 17.1 percent,&rdquo; says B+LNZ Chief Economist Andrew Burtt.<br />&ldquo;Costs increased across the board this year. The largest increase was for interest (+86.5 percent), which contributed substantially to the overall increase in on-farm inflation because it comprises 10.9 percent of total farm expenditure.<br />&ldquo;Floating interest rates doubled from March 2022 to March 2023 while fixed and overdraft interest rates increased by around 50 percent. Feed and grazing (+14.8 percent) and fertiliser, lime and seeds (+14.0 percent) were the next two largest increases for the year.&rdquo;<br />With inflation eroding farm profitability, farmers continue to tighten their belts. Burtt says debt servicing is a non-negotiable, which means farmers are looking to cut back in other areas of farm expenditure.</p> <p>&ldquo;This will have a flow-on effect to our rural communities as services and farm inputs are reduced. With uncertainty over regulations and the economic outlook for New Zealand there is a focus on essential &lsquo;must have&rsquo; expenditure on farm,&rdquo; he says.<br />This is the latest in a series of reports from B+LNZ that highlight the financial and regulatory pressures facing sheep and beef farmers.<br />B+LNZ CEO Sam McIvor says the significant financial challenges facing farmers, with many also working to recover from Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle, are another reason the Government must put the brakes on its raft of environment policy changes.<br />&ldquo;The financial pressure is challenging. A generation of farmers have not operated under this level of inflation and the situation is further exacerbated by unworkable environmental rules,&rdquo; he says.<br />&ldquo;When farmers are impacted in this way, it has a knock-on effect to the wider economy including businesses that service farms like vets, trucking companies, shearers and many more. It also impacts businesses where farmers spend their family incomes.<br />&ldquo;New Zealand sheep and beef farmers are playing their part to address climate change, improving our waterways, and protecting New Zealand&rsquo;s biodiversity. We are asking for urgent changes to flawed Government policies and poorly crafted rules.<br />&ldquo;The Government must get behind the sector, which provides nearly one of every five dollars New Zealand earns from exporting, so farmers can navigate this financially challenging time, plan ahead and ensure their businesses remain sustainable, in every sense of the word.&rdquo;</p>    Industry adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-06 00:02:23  2025-07-30 06:49:24  Details Edit Delete
6471  Danish Crown: New agreement on biogas accelerates the green transition  A new partnership between the biogas company Bigadan and Danish Crowns opens up a wide range of opportunities to make meat production more sustainable.  <p>A future where the natural gas for Danish Crown's slaughterhouses and factories in Denmark and the fuel for the group's trucks is replaced with biogas and other energy created from the company's own biological waste is no longer wishful thinking. A new strategic agreement with the biogas company Bigadan ensures Danish Crown access to significant amounts of green energy.</p> <p><br />&rsquo;&rsquo;As interest in food with a demonstrably lower climate footprint increases, the agreement gives us the opportunity to make parts of our production far more sustainable. We can utilize the residual products that arise in production for heat and energy, and in that way make our products more circular,&lsquo;&lsquo; says Jais Valeur, CEO of Danish Crown.</p> <p><br />In production at Danish Crown's slaughterhouses and factories, significant amounts of biomass arise from sludge and gastrointestinal contents that cannot be eaten by humans or used as animal feed. The biomass is sold to biogas plants, and with the new agreement, Bigadan becomes the sole buyer of biomass from Danish Crown in Denmark.Bigadan operates a number of biogas plants around Denmark. One of Bigadan's largest biogas plants is located at Horsens only 800 meters from Danish Crown's largest pig slaughterhouse.</p> <p><br />&lsquo;&lsquo;It makes very good sense that we create close partnerships in the industry, where we get to use the value - in this case organic waste products - optimally, and create good green solutions. Together with Danish Crown, we are part of the cycle of agriculture and the food sector, and we are happy that we can establish partnerships like this, where, in addition to providing green energy based on the waste products, we also contribute to the fact that we recirculate important nutrients back to agriculture, says Henrik Laursen, CEO of Bigadan. When the biomass from Danish Crown has been through the biogas plant and has been degassed, it is delivered directly back to agriculture and used as fertiliser.</p> <p><br />&lsquo;&lsquo;Bigadan's biogas plant is literally on the other side of the road, and both we and Bigadan have an interest in creating green solutions that benefit both companies. Danish Crown's waste becomes Bigadan's raw material and ends up back with us. It's a symbiosis that makes sense in every way,&lsquo;&lsquo; says Jais Valeur, CEO of Danish Crown.</p> <p><br />Initially, Danish Crown receives a cash settlement for the biomass. But the agreement is arranged in such a way that in the future you can instead be paid in biogas through a direct gas pipeline to Danish Crown's slaughterhouses and factories or in alternative and more sustainable fuels for the group's trucks.<br />&lsquo;&lsquo;When we implement the opportunities the agreement provides, it will be an important step on the way in Danish Crown's sustainability journey. We want to challenge the global meat industry by taking the lead in the work to ensure a sustainable restructuring of food production,&lsquo;&lsquo; says Jais Valeur, CEO of Danish Crown.Danish Crown will produce climate neutral (net zero) meat in 2050 and has had its climate plan approved by the UN partnership Science Based Targets:</p> <p>&bull; The agreement contains biomass from Danish Crown and the subsidiaries Danish Crown Beef and DAT-Schaub.&nbsp;</p> <p>&bull; Danish Crown has the option to exchange the value of the biomass for biogas, food-approved CO2 or guarantees of origin.&nbsp;</p> <p>&bull; The agreement takes into account the principles of the bioeconomic value pyramid&nbsp;</p>    Technology adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-02 00:05:02  2025-07-30 03:04:53  Details Edit Delete
6470  PERDUE launches custom first-of-its-kind beer can chicken beer  Just in time for summer grilling season, PERDUE, the number-one brand of fresh chicken in the U.S., is making chicken the star of the grill with the launch of PERDUE Beer Can Chicken Beer, a honey double-citrus summer ale brewed with classic grilled chicken seasonings like rosemary, thyme, and pink peppercorn to help backyard grillers make the perfect beer can chicken.  <p><span lang="DE">Created in partnership with&nbsp;</span><span lang="DE">Torch &amp; Crown Brewing Company</span><span lang="DE">, PERDUE&reg;&rsquo;s custom Beer Can Chicken Beer is tangy, juicy, and has just a hint of sweetness. Perfectly crafted for both summer grilling and sipping - you'll have to make sure you save enough for cooking the chicken!</span></p> <p><span lang="DE">"Beer can chicken has long been one of the most popular methods of grilling poultry, but we noticed a lack of consensus on what type of beer is best", said Julie Lehman, Perdue Vice President of Marketing. "As the fresh chicken experts, we worked with our friends at Torch &amp; Crown Brewing Company to settle the debate for once and all and make a beer that is expertly crafted to help backyard cooking enthusiasts prepare the ultimate beer can chicken - always with a fresh, whole PERDUE&reg; chicken - with maximum flavor each and every time".</span></p> <p><span lang="DE">The recipe starts with PERDUE&reg; chicken and the beer itself, of course, plays a crucial role in beer can chicken - a method of indirect grilling that involves pouring&nbsp;a directed amount of&nbsp;the beer into a food-grade roasting stand and then standing a chicken upright and cooking it using a grill or smoker.</span></p> <p><span lang="DE">Not only does the brew infuse the bird with flavor, marinating it from the inside out, but it keeps the chicken moist and tender during the cooking process. Best of all, the recipe encourages consumers 21+ to set some of the beer aside to drink and enjoy with your meal!</span></p> <p><span lang="DE">Google searches for beer can chicken recipes typically crescendo around Memorial Day each year, and evidence suggests the grilling method is on the rise more generally. Over the last 12 months, online conversation around beer can chicken grew by nearly 20% (source: Netbase). To meet this need, PERDUE partnered with Torch &amp; Crown to create a unique summer ale brewed with barley, American ale yeast, citra hops, lemon and orange puree, honey, rosemary, thyme, sea salt, and pink peppercorn.</span></p> <p><span lang="DE">"As a company passionate about unique craft beers, we were so excited when PERDUE approached us to collaborate on the perfect beer can chicken beer because of all the endless flavor opportunities", said Joe Correia, Co-Founder and Head Brewer of Torch &amp; Crown Brewing Company. "We&rsquo;re very happy with how the beer turned out as it perfectly balances both seasonal summer flavors and ingredients commonly found in chicken seasonings to help maximize the flavor of any PERDUE grilled or smoked chicken".</span></p> <p><span lang="DE">To complete the perfect beer can chicken cooking experience, PERDUE is selling fresh whole chickens, always raised with no antibiotics ever, in limited-time packaging that features the beer can chicken grilling occasion online or in retail store nationwide this summer.</span></p>    Market adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-01 00:15:16  2025-07-30 05:15:01  Details Edit Delete
6469  Australia: Red meat production at highest level in nearly 20 years  The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the Quarter 1 2023 slaughter and production data, indicating improvements across all species. Some states recorded the best quarterly outcomes in nearly two decades.  <p style="font-weight: 400;">Comparing both quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year, cattle slaughter numbers have improved strongly across most states. Encouragingly, the eastern states (Queensland, NSW and VIC) accounted for 91% or 184,900 of the 202,000 head increase in slaughter compared with Q1 2022.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The eastern states all registered their highest quarterly slaughter volumes in over two years, indicating that processors continue to find ways to cope with higher supplies of stock.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">All other states experienced favourable year-on-year improvements &ndash; although when analysing state performance against five-year averages, the smaller states&rsquo; stalling performance in Q1 suggests processing capacity remains constrained due to labour issues. The Q1 slaughter for Tasmania, SA and WA was 58%, 45% and 69% below the five-year quarterly average respectively.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">In Q1, Australia produced 498,314 tonnes of beef, the highest level nationally in two years. Year-on-year, this was higher by 15% or 64,000 tonnes.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">All states registered improvements, with WA recovering its fall of 11% in production against Q4 2022 levels to increase 17% or 4,000 tonnes year-on-year.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Again, the eastern states accounted for 91% or 58,900 tonnes of the year-on-year improvement.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">South Australian numbers remained firm, although moving into the remainder of 2023, slaughter production is expected to lift in the state as facilities begin to become fully operational.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Q1 2023 sheep slaughter volumes were the highest since Q4 2019 and rose 54% or 830,000 head year-on-year, while production was higher by 57% or 21,400 tonnes.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">All states except Queensland registered strong improvements in production and slaughter numbers, Victoria and WA being the highlights. Production saw a strong uptick as a result of the robust slaughter figures.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">When examining state level performance, a few key notables are:</p> <ul style="font-weight: 400;"> <li>NSW mutton slaughter was the second highest since Q1 2009, only behind Q4 2019</li> <li>WA&rsquo;s sheep slaughter was the highest volume since Q2 2009</li> <li>Victoria had its highest mutton slaughter rate since Q4 2019.</li> </ul> <p style="font-weight: 400;">In Q1, mutton production reached 58,662 tonnes &ndash; the highest volume since Q4 2019.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Due to the genetically superior flock and sheep carcase weights at historically elevated levels, NSW mutton production reached its highest level since Q4 2006, when 101 million sheep were in Australia and 13.1 million head of mutton were processed in that year.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">WA mutton production reached its highest level since Q2 2008.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">WA is a good example of this, with a 2% or 10,800 head decline in lambs processed quarter-on-quarter, while sheep slaughter in the state rose 74% or 217,600 head quarter-on-quarter.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Overall, most states saw increases above increased 10% in lamb slaughter except NSW, with its volumes remaining firm year-on-year.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Q1 saw 137,582 tonnes of lamb produced.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">All states except NSW and Queensland saw favourable lifts year-on-year, with Victoria accounting for 66% of the total lift in production. The traditionally smaller production states of WA and SA registered solid upticks in production volumes.</p>    Market adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-01 00:10:32  2025-07-30 09:21:18  Details Edit Delete
6468  Carbon Steering Group formed to support agri-food industry  The Northern Ireland (NI) Carbon Steering Group is a pioneering alliance set up to represent farmers and the agri-food industry, and progress with the carbon element of the sustainability agenda.   <p>The collaboration has been built on the recognition that an industry wide co-ordinated approach is the most effective way to ensure the industry is heard and that the best solutions are achieved for everyone in NI. Agriculture has a key part to play in NI reaching net zero carbon emissions and the group has been working together, moulding an approach that will be farmer friendly and provide the basis for measuring and managing carbon emissions. Legal obligations and targets have been set and the group aims to deliver opportunities that will advance local agriculture sustainably.</p> <p>Commenting, George Mullan, member of the Carbon Steering Group and Chair of NIFDA, said, "Under the NI Climate Change Act 2022, targets have been set which we are required to meet. To align with this, DAERA will publish its first Climate Action Plan in December 2023 requiring significant reduction in carbon emissions. Therefore, we have come together to act on behalf of our farmers and agri-food industry to ensure we achieve consistency in the direction of travel. "Working across farmers, processors, industry bodies, government departments and research organisations, we want to ensure that appropriate solutions are provided to measure carbon emissions and identify innovative ways to reduce emissions. As a group, we&rsquo;ve been able to lead from the front to develop a market strategy and support farmers to intercept potential livestock reductions. &ldquo;Reducing carbon emissions is becoming a requirement for our customers, not only in the UK, but also in export markets. It has presented us with an opportunity to find a workable system that can deliver the information required and enable the NI agri-food sector to remain competitive".</p> <p>The NI Carbon Steering Group is working in partnership with DAERA to create a programme which will help all farm businesses understand where they are on this carbon journey. As part of this and to inform the work programme with DAERA, we intend to test the concept of whole farm data collection with 100 farms in the next few weeks. Information required to test this concept will be collected following a NI Beef and Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (FQAS) inspection and during the same farm visit.</p> <p>David Brown, Chair of the NI Carbon Steering Group, said "We need to ensure that we develop a programme with the farmer in mind at all times. It needs to be workable for them, ensuring an accurate and efficient process that causes minimal disruption to the farm business. The delivery of information is a key element to ensure its suitable for all parties and supports appropriate carbon reduction strategies while protecting farmers&rsquo; data". The Carbon Steering group added, "Tackling climate change and reducing emissions is now a key part of doing business with retailers and banks that are taking carbon emissions and environmental factors into consideration. All parts of the food chain are required to act including retailers, processors and farmers. Farmers have already done great work to reduce emissions on farm, and this data collection exercise will enable them to build upon that. We&rsquo;re all on this journey towards net zero and farmers are committed to reducing carbon emissions while feeding a growing population with quality food produced to the highest standards".</p> <p>The NI Carbon Steering Group includes representatives from the Livestock and Meat Commission, Ulster Farmers&rsquo; Union, Dairy Council for Northern Ireland, NI Meat Exporters Association, NI Food and Drink Association, NI Agricultural Producers&rsquo; Association, NI Grain Trade Association, NI Pork and Bacon Forum, NI Poultry Federation, and Moy Park.</p>    Technology adrian.lazar@industriacarnii.ro 2023-06-01 00:05:25  2025-07-30 13:16:46  Details Edit Delete
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