Brazil – soaring beef exports to China continues

Brazilian beef exports continue to soar, driven by strong demand from China. For November, Brazil shipped just under 156,000t of beef on to world markets, a 20% increase year on year. For the 11 months to the end of November, Brazil has exported almost 1.4m tonnes of beef.

China – meat imports will exceed 6m tonnes

Due to the decimation of its pig herd from African swine fever, Chinese meat imports are on course to exceed 6m tonnes this year – a record. Of the total, pork will account for 3m tonnes of meat imports. However, beef and sheepmeat imports are rising rapidly.

Russia – wheat harvest forecast lower

The Russian ministry for agriculture has lowered its estimate for the country’s 2019 wheat harvest by almost 3m tonnes to a new estimate of 75m tonnes. Of this, Russia will likely export close to 30m tonnes of wheat on to world markets.

US – access for beef to EU market inches closer

The European Parliament last week voted in favour of giving the US a 35,000t quota to export hormone-free beef into Europe. The new export quota for US beef processors is likely to start from January 2020. The US is both the world’s largest beef exporter and importer.