USA – meat plants back to 95% capacity

Meat plants in the US are back operating at more than 95% capacity following the spate of COVID-19 clusters in April and May, which forced the closure of a number of large facilities. US agriculture secretary Sonny Perdue thanked the US meat industry for the safe reopening of all plants.

China – beef imports soar in 2020

For the first five months of 2020, Chinese beef imports have soared to record volumes of about 700,000t, which is up more than 25% on the 550,00t of beef imported in the same period last year. Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand account for 95% of Chinese beef imports.

Brazil – safrinha corn harvest under way

Brazilian farmers are almost 6% through their safrinha maize (corn) harvest, which is the second crop maize harvest in the country. Forecasts suggest Brazil’s maize harvest will be just under 75m tonnes this year, with variable yields reported across the country.

Europe – wheat production forecast lower

Grain market consultancy group Stategie Grains has lowered its estimate for EU wheat production by another 2m tonnes to a new forecast of 131m tonnes. The French group noted that the dry conditions this spring have dented yields.