In 2016 countries in the region exported 41,208 tons of beef to the US, 7% more than in 2015.
Figures from the information system on the Fresh, Refrigerated and Frozen Beef Market in Central America, complied by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
In Costa Rica, the pig farmers' association has filed a complaint alleging that importers such as Walmart, Cargill and Sigma Alimentos are manipulating pork prices in the local market.
The Costa Rican Chamber of Porculturists (Caporc) filed a complaint with the Consumer Protection and Advocacy Commission (Coprocom), arguing that "...three multinational companies make up 65% of total pork imports, and that this concentration demonstrates significant market power that undermines free competition and market transparency."
In 2016, the countries in the region sold 29 thousand tons of sausages, registering a 6% increase over 2015.
Figures from the information system on the Central American Market for Milk and Dairy Products, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
From September 6 to 8, companies from the porcine sector of Central America will be gathering together in Panama City to participate in conferences on production, technology and industry trends.
The XIII Central American and Caribbean Congress on Pig farming is being organized by the Central American and Caribbean Federation of Pig farmers, and will take place in the Convention Center of the Hotel El Panama.
Between January and September 2016, Central American countries together imported $74 million in sausages and similar meat products, at an average price of between $2.37 and $2.85 per kilo.
Figures from a reporton Imports of Processed Meat in Central American, by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [Figure caption = "Click to interact with graphics"]
Senasa has started the process of registration and updating information on subsistence, small, medium and large pig farms in the country.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture:
As part of the implementation of the Control System for Mobilization and Traceability of pigs from the beginning of this year 2017, the National Animal Health Service (SENASA) at the Ministry of Agriculture, is carrying out, in regional offices, registration and updating of information of existing pig farms in the country (subsistence / backyard, small, medium and large) in the Integrated Registration System for Agricultural Establishments (SIREA by its initials in Spanish), with registration of establishments composing the first stage established in the implementation of the traceability system for the pig sector.
In 2015 the region as a whole imported $96 million worth of processed meat, led by El Salvador, which imported $25 million, followed by Guatemala with $22 million, and Honduras, with $16 million.
Figures onForeign Trade in Sausages Meat and Similar Products in Central America,analyzed by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData.com show that in 2015 the countries of Central America imported 33,528 tons of processed meat, equivalent to $96 million.
The pork producing sector has started negotiations with the governments of Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, to revive pork exports in the short term.
The union of pig farmers has already contacted neighboring countries to express their interest in resuming pork exports, after the country declared itself free of swine feverin August.
It is estimated that in 2017 imports of meat and meat products from China will continue at high rates, due to lower levels of local production.
From a publication by Eurocarne:
The Department of Agriculture has drawn up one of its reports on forecasts for production and trade of meat and meat products in Japan.As indicated, in Japan there is still a reduction in the livestock censuses in the absence of generational change.Consumption also remains very stable.In light of this situation, the USDA estimates that in 2017 the situation seen in 2016 will will be repeated, that is to say there will be very high levels of imports.
Productivity of beef, pork and onions improved between May 2015 and April 2016, while projected goals were not achieved for rice, beans and white corn.
The goals set at the beginning of the Solis management to facilitate conditions for raising agricultural productivity have been met by half, since of the products identified as "sensitive" because of strong competition faced externally, only beef, pork and onions managed to exceed the targets set for the first year.
Frozen meat and meat products such as sausages, ham and salami are some of the goods imported by supermarkets, restaurants and hotels in India.
From a report by Eurocarne.com:
The Foreign Service at the United States Department of Agriculture has prepared a report on the situation of the pork production in India and trade of this product.According to the report, the Asian country produced around 464,000 tons of this product from April 2014 to March 2015 and this amount accounts for 8% of the total protein intake in the country. It also states that the figure is 1.4% more than in the same period in previous years.
A rise is anticipated in the international price of pork in the third quarter of 2016 because of continued strong demand from the Asian country.
From a report on Agromeat.com:
Continued strong demand for pork from China and maintenance of supply will be the main factors in the third quarter of 2016, according to a report by Rabobank concerning the third quarter of 2016.In the view of Albert Vernooij, animal protein analyst at Rabobank, "this will lead to an increase in pork prices on the Rabobank index, improving margins for farmers".
Sectors related to metal mechanics, tires, plastics, chemicals and electrics in Costa Rica have asked for their products to be excluded in the negotiation of a regional trade agreement with the Asian tiger.
The industrial and agricultural sectors are those who have objected in the process for negotiation of a free trade agreement with South Korea, arguing that some products would be hurt by the arrival of similar products from China.
An increased supply of imported pork has caused a general price reduction and increased annual per capita consumption by two kilos.
Demand for pork in Costa Rica increased from 11 kilograms (kg) per capita in 2014 to 13 kg per capita in 2015, according to figures from the Costa Rican Chamber of Pork Producers (Caporc) cited by Nacion.com.
The law which required packages of meat beef and pork products to have a label indicating the country of origin is no longer in effect.
After repeated resolutions from the World Trade Organization, which authorized Canada and Mexico to implement economic retaliation measures worth more than $1 billion, the US Congress has finally decided to remove the law that requires labeling of all red meat products which are sold in the retail market in the country.