Global Livestock Industry Update: Bird Flu, Beef Exports, and Mad Cow Disease

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced that the H5N1 bird flu detected in two Michigan swans earlier this month was low-pathogenic and not a threat to humans. Meanwhile, Japanese restaurant chain Zenshoku is set to serve U.S. beef starting Tuesday, a first among this nation's restaurants since the ban on American beef was lifted last month. The Ukraine saw a significant increase in poultry output, with a 25.2% rise to 224,600 metric tons in January-July.

Key Takeaways:

  • The H5N1 bird flu detected in Michigan swans was low-pathogenic and not a threat to humans, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  • Japanese restaurant chain Zenshoku will serve U.S. beef starting Tuesday, the first among this nation's restaurants since the ban on American beef was lifted last month.
  • Ukraine's poultry output increased by 25.2% to 224,600 metric tons in January-July.
  • Pork output in Ukraine rose 57.1% to 67,200 tons during the same period, while beef output fell 13.5% to 77,200 tons.
  • The U.S. will make a massive submission in September to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) for its decision on the U.S. status for bovine spongiform encephalopathy risk.
  • China and the U.S. remain in a deadlock over conditions to resume beef trade four months after China made a pledge to lift its ban.
  • Average ham prices during August reached their highest level in 10 years, spurred by consistent export growth, especially to Mexico.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture is still unsure of what impact Canada's seventh mad-cow case will have on U.S. cattle and beef imports.
  • U.S. beef exports will be blocked from the Swiss market starting next year due to the country's harmonization with European Union veterinary norms.
  • Belgian authorities have extended restrictions on sheep and cattle transports following the discovery of more cases of bluetongue disease.
  • A Japanese restaurant chain plans to resume serving U.S. beef soon at dozens of its branches nationwide.
  • The Agriculture Ministry in Japan is establishing a panel of experts to discuss new rules governing labeling and preventing imported meat from being sold under well-known Japanese names.

Statistics:

  • Ukrainian poultry output increased by 25.2% to 224,600 metric tons in January-July.
  • Pork output in Ukraine rose 57.1% to 67,200 tons during the same period.
  • Beef output in Ukraine fell 13.5% to 77,200 tons in January-July.
  • Average ham prices during August reached their highest level in 10 years.
  • U.S. beef exports will be blocked from the Swiss market starting next year.

Sources:

  • Dow Jones Commodities News via Comtex
  • AP
  • Dow Jones
  • Nikkei
  • Rabobank Australia Ltd.
  • Dow Jones Newswires
  • Dow Jones & Company, Inc.