Brazil – beef exports fall to seven-month low

Brazilian beef exports fell to a seven-month low in January. Brazilian exporters shipped 117,000t of beef in January, which is down 22% on December exports. However, Brazil exported 14%, or 15,000t, more beef in January 2020 than it did in January 2019.

China – meat imports soar in 2019

Figures released this week show China imported almost 6.2m tonnes of meat in 2019 at a cost of more than €17.5bn. In December alone, China imported almost 700,000t of meat, which was up 95% year on year. Of this, 270,000t was pork, while beef accounted for 190,000t.

UK – milk production expands in 2019

UK milk production grew strongly in 2019 thanks to a very strong first half of the year. UK dairy farmers pumped out just over 14.9bn litres of milk, which was up 2%, or 240m litres, on the previous year. However, in the final months of 2019, UK milk production had reverted to decline.

US – soya bean prices fall on coronavirus concerns

US prices for soya beans and soya meal have fallen sharply in the last week over growing fears following the outbreak of the coronavirus, which has left 6,000 people infected and more than 130 dead in China. China is by far the largest buyer of US soya.