Brazil –maize plantings behind normal levels

In Brazil, plantings of the second maize (corn) crop, otherwise known as the safrinha crop, is running behind normal levels, with 25% of this season’s crop planted late. This could limit Brazil’s maize export potential later in the year.

US – $100m investment in beef processing

In the US, the beef processing company, National Beef, has announced a $100m (€85m) investment to double capacity at its Iowa beef factory to 2,500 cattle per day. National Beef is owned by Brazilian meat processing giant Marfrig.

Poland – African swine fever detected

Veterinary authorities in Poland have reported the first outbreak of African swine fever in 2021 in a pig herd of almost 16,000. The authorities said the entire herd will be culled in a bid to control the spread of the highly contagious virus.

Australia – sheepmeat exports plummet

Australian sheepmeat exports for the first two months of 2021 are down 29% year on year to just under 57,000t. This decline was driven by a 40% drop in sheepmeat exports to the US to just over 11,000t, which was more than enough to offset an 11% increase in sheep meat exports to China.