China – pork imports surge 80%

Chinese pork imports for August surged 80% compared with last year to just under 163,000t as the country struggles to fill the pork supply gap caused by African swine fever (ASF). Beef imports for August rose almost 33% year on year to 131,000t, while chicken imports rose 50% to 67,000t.

EU – major increase in grain production

The EU28 will significantly increase its grain output this year. Wheat production is forecast to hit 143m tonnes in 2019 – up from 129m tonnes last year. Barley production will rise from 56m tonnes in 2018 to 61m tonnes this year, while maize production will jump from 60m tonnes in 2018 to 62m tonnes in 2019.

US – milk production is flat in August

US milk production for the month of August stood at 8bn litres, which is flat compared with the same month last year. For the first eight months of 2019 (Jan –Aug) US dairy farmers have pumped out more than 64bn litres of milk.

Argentina – China approves eight new beef factories

Chinese inspectors have approved an additional eight meat plants in Argentina to export beef to China. In the first seven months of 2019 (Jan-July), Argentina has exported 195,000t of beef to China, or 28,000t per month. The eight factories approved this week could add an additional 4,000t per month to this.