Pork exports from the EU totalled just over 2.1m tonnes for 2018, which is a 2% rise on the previous year’s exports. There was strong growth in pork exports to South Korea in 2018, with shipments up 25% year on year to 276,000t.

Brazil exported more than one quarter of all its beef production in 2018. Figures from the Brazilian agriculture ministry show that Brazil exported 2.1m tonnes in 2018, which is 26% of the 7.95m tonnes of beef produced domestically and the highest level of export ever.

The acreage for maize (corn) plantings is forecast to rise more than 3% to 92m acres

According to the latest data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the total area planted in wheat in the US this season is forecast at 47m acres, which is down almost 2% on the previous year. In contrast, the acreage for maize (corn) plantings is forecast to rise more than 3% to 92m acres.

As part of the ongoing trade talks between China and the US, it is believed officials in Beijing will commit to buying an additional $30bn (€26bn) of US soya beans, maize (corn) and wheat. US soya bean and corn prices have rallied as a result.