The global animal protein industry is a large and diverse sector that includes the production and sale of meat, poultry, fish, and other animal-derived products. The industry is driven by population growth, rising incomes, and changing consumer preferences, which have led to increased demand for animal protein products.
The meat industry is the largest segment of the animal protein industry, and it includes the production of beef, pork, and poultry. The beef industry is the largest, followed by pork and poultry. The poultry industry is the fastest growing segment, with increasing demand for chicken and turkey products.
The fish and seafood industry is also a significant part of the animal protein industry. Fish and seafood are rich sources of protein and other essential nutrients, and they are increasingly popular as consumers become more health-conscious. The industry is primarily driven by the demand for fish and seafood products in Asia, where fish and seafood consumption is highest.
The animal protein industry is a global industry, with production and consumption taking place in many different countries. The major producers and exporters of animal protein products include the United States, Brazil, the European Union, China, and Australia.
The industry is not without controversy, as the intensive animal farming practices used to meet the growing global demand for animal protein have been linked to environmental damage, deforestation, water and air pollution, and animal welfare concerns.
Overall, the global animal protein industry is an important and growing sector that plays a vital role in meeting the protein needs of a growing global population. However, it is important for the industry to address the environmental and animal welfare concerns associated with intensive animal farming practices in order to ensure its long-term sustainability.
The global meat industry is a diverse and complex sector that includes a wide range of products and production methods. The industry is primarily divided into three segments: beef and veal, pork, and poultry. The beef and veal segment is the largest, accounting for more than 40% of the global meat market, followed by pork and poultry.
The global meat industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by rising consumer demand for protein-rich foods. However, the industry has also faced a number of challenges, including concerns about the environmental impact of large-scale meat production and animal welfare issues.
In terms of production, the top meat-producing countries include the United States, Brazil, and China. The United States is the largest producer of beef and pork, while Brazil is the largest producer of poultry. China is the largest producer of pork and the second-largest producer of beef.
The industry has faced criticism over the environmental impact of meat production, with concerns about deforestation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Many companies have started to take action to address these issues, including implementing sustainable farming practices and investing in alternative protein sources.
Animal welfare is also a major concern for the industry and it has faced criticism over the use of antibiotics and hormones in livestock, as well as the living conditions of animals. Many companies have started to take action to address these issues, including implementing animal welfare standards and investing in alternative protein sources.
The industry has also faced challenges due to increasing trade tensions and tariffs, which have led to disruptions in global trade and rising prices for consumers.
Overall, the global meat industry is a dynamic and rapidly evolving sector that faces a number of challenges. However, with increasing consumer demand for protein-rich foods and growing concerns about the environmental impact of meat production, the industry is likely to continue to evolve and adapt in the coming years.
The global seafood and aquaculture industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that is responsible for providing fish and other seafood products to consumers around the world. The industry is composed of several segments, including wild catch, aquaculture, and fish processing.
The wild catch segment of the industry is responsible for catching and harvesting fish and other seafood products from the ocean, rivers, and other bodies of water. This segment of the industry is often seen as being unsustainable, as it can lead to overfishing and depletion of fish stocks.
The aquaculture segment of the industry, on the other hand, involves the farming of fish, shellfish, and other seafood products in controlled environments such as fish farms and hatcheries. This segment of the industry has grown rapidly in recent years, as it is seen as a more sustainable alternative to wild catch.
The fish processing segment of the industry is responsible for cleaning, packaging, and distributing fish and other seafood products to consumers around the world. This segment of the industry is also growing rapidly, as demand for seafood products continues to increase.
Overall, the global seafood and aquaculture industry is a major contributor to the world economy and provides employment opportunities for millions of people around the world. However, the industry also faces a number of challenges, including overfishing, pollution, and disease outbreaks that can have a negative impact on the health of fish stocks and the environment.
In conclusion, the seafood and aquaculture industry is an important global industry providing food and jobs across the world, but it also faces challenges, such as sustainable fishing, pollution, and disease outbreaks. The industry must continue to work towards finding sustainable solutions to these challenges in order to secure its future.
The world’s most consumed fish species is the Atlantic salmon. This species is widely farmed in countries such as Norway, Chile, and Scotland, and is also caught wild in the North Atlantic. It is a popular choice for both fresh and smoked products and is considered to be a delicacy in many countries. Salmon is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health, and is high in protein and vitamin D. Additionally Tuna and Tilapia also are one of the most consumed fish species worldwide. They are also widely farmed and caught wild, and are popular in many dishes, such as sushi, sandwiches, and casseroles. It’s important to note that the consumption of fish species varies depending on the region and cultural background.
There are many different types of fish that are consumed around the world. Some of the most popular include:
Salmon – This fish is known for its rich flavor and high omega-3 content. It is often grilled, baked, or smoked and is a popular choice for sushi and sashimi.
Tuna – This is another fish with a rich flavor and high omega-3 content. Tuna is often canned and used in sandwiches, salads, and sushi.
Tilapia – This is a freshwater fish that is widely farmed and has a mild flavor. It is often fried or baked and is a popular choice for fish tacos.
Cod – This fish is known for its flaky white flesh and mild flavor. It is often fried, baked, or made into fish and chips.
Sardines – These small fish are often canned and used in sandwiches, salads, and pasta dishes.
Catfish – This freshwater fish is often fried and served as a traditional southern dish in the United States.
Trout – This freshwater fish has a delicate flavor and is often grilled or baked.
Halibut – This large flatfish has a firm white flesh and is often grilled or baked.
Mackerel – This oily fish has a strong flavor and is often grilled or smoked.
Carp – This freshwater fish is popular in Eastern Europe and Asia and is often used in soups and stews.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, as there are many other types of fish that are consumed around the world, such as Barramundi, Haddock, Mahi Mahi and many more.
The top five largest aquaculture companies in the world, based on annual revenue, are:
Nutreco – Nutreco is a Dutch-based company that specializes in animal nutrition and aquafeed. In 2019, the company reported revenue of €3.2 billion.
Mowi – Mowi is a Norwegian company that is the world’s largest producer of farmed Atlantic salmon. In 2020, the company reported revenue of €4.8 billion.
Cermaq – Cermaq is another Norwegian company that specializes in the farming of Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout. In 2020, the company reported revenue of €1.4 billion.
Grieg Seafood – Grieg Seafood is a Norwegian company that specializes in the farming of Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout. In 2020, the company reported revenue of €1.2 billion.
Tassal – Tassal is an Australian company that specializes in the farming of Atlantic salmon. In 2020, the company reported revenue of AUD 335 million.
It is worth noting that the aquaculture industry is highly globalized, with many companies operating in multiple countries and regions. Additionally, the industry is constantly evolving, so the ranking of these companies may change in the future.
The top aquaculture-producing countries in the world are China, Norway, Chile, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
China is by far the largest producer of aquaculture, accounting for over half of the world’s production. The country primarily raises carp, tilapia, and mollusk species such as clams and oysters.
Norway is the second-largest producer of aquaculture and is known for its high-quality salmon farming. The country also produces large quantities of trout and cod.
Chile is the third-largest producer of aquaculture and is known for its salmon and trout farming. The country has a long coastline and a suitable climate for fish farming.
Indonesia is the fourth-largest producer of aquaculture and is known for its shrimp and fish farming. The country has a large coastline and a suitable climate for aquaculture.
Vietnam is the fifth-largest producer of aquaculture and is known for its shrimp and fish farming. The country has a large coastline and a suitable climate for aquaculture.
It is worth noting that these are the top producers based on the volume of production, but other countries such as India and Bangladesh have a very high fish production per area which is a good indicator of the efficiency of the Aquaculture industry in those countries.
Industrial fish and seafood feed is a type of feed specifically formulated for use in fish and seafood farming operations. This type of feed typically contains a combination of ingredients such as fish meal, fish oil, soybeans, corn, and wheat, along with vitamins and minerals to provide the necessary nutritional requirements for the fish and seafood species being raised.
One of the main advantages of industrial fish and seafood feed is that it is designed to promote rapid growth and efficient conversion of feed to body mass in the fish and seafood species being raised. This can lead to increased production and profitability for fish and seafood farmers.
However, there are also a number of potential downsides to the use of industrial fish and seafood feed. One of the main concerns is that these feeds often contain high levels of fish meal and fish oil, which are derived from wild fish stocks. This can lead to overfishing and depletion of wild fish populations, as well as environmental damage from fishing practices.
Another concern is the use of soybeans, corn, and other plant-based ingredients in industrial fish and seafood feed, as these crops are often grown using intensive agricultural practices that can lead to deforestation, habitat destruction, and other environmental damage.
Some examples of industrial fish and seafood feed include:
Fishmeal: made from ground-up fish that are not fit for human consumption
Fish oil: extracted from the liver of fish, used as a source of omega-3 fatty acids
Soy protein concentrate: used as a protein source in fish feed
Corn gluten meal: a byproduct of corn processing, used as a protein source in fish feed
Wheat flour: used as a carbohydrate source in fish feed
Microalgae: used as a source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids in fish feed
Shrimp meal: made from ground-up shrimp, used as a protein source in fish feed.
In conclusion, industrial fish and seafood feed can be an effective means of promoting rapid growth and efficient conversion of feed to body mass in fish and seafood species, but it also has potential downsides, including the use of ingredients that can contribute to overfishing and environmental damage. It is important for farmers and feed manufacturers to consider these issues and strive to use sustainable ingredients and practices in their operations.
Meat production can be divided into several categories, including traditional, industrial, and alternative methods.
Traditional meat production involves small-scale farms that often rely on family labor and traditional farming techniques. These farms typically raise a variety of animals, including cattle, pigs, sheep, and chickens, and may use grass or forage-based systems.
Industrial meat production, on the other hand, is characterized by large-scale operations that use intensive confinement systems, such as feedlots for beef and pork, and battery cages for chickens. These operations are highly efficient and can produce large quantities of meat at a lower cost than traditional methods. However, they also raise concerns about animal welfare, environmental impact, and food safety.
Alternative meat production methods include organic, free-range, and humane farming. These methods aim to address some of the concerns associated with industrial meat production by using more natural and sustainable practices. For example, organic meat is produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), while free-range and humane farming practices aim to provide animals with more space and better living conditions.
Overall, the different types of meat production have different implications for animal welfare, environmental impact, and food safety, and consumers have different preferences in terms of the type of meat they want to purchase.
The information on the largest refrigerated transport companies in North Africa is limited, and my knowledge cutoff is 2021. However, here are some examples of companies that operate in the refrigerated transportation industry in North Africa:
Coldex – Coldex is an Egyptian company that specializes in refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides transportation services to customers in Egypt and other North African countries.
Transmed – Transmed is a Tunisia-based company that specializes in refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides transportation services to customers in Tunisia and other North African countries.
Al-Shall – Al-Shall is an Algerian company that specializes in refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides transportation services to customers in Algeria and other North African countries.
Transgaz – Transgaz is a Moroccan company that specializes in refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides transportation services to customers in Morocco and other North African countries.
Transmed – Transmed is a Libyan company that specializes in refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides transportation services to customers in Libya and other North African countries.
It is worth noting that the above companies are examples of companies that operate in North Africa and are not a comprehensive list of all refrigerated transport companies in the region. Additionally, the size and value of the refrigerated transport industry in North Africa may not be as developed as in other regions. The information on the transportation and logistics industry in North Africa is constantly changing and it is important to conduct further research to get the most updated data.
Companies that operate in the refrigerated transportation industry in Southern Africa:
Imperial Logistics – Imperial Logistics is a South Africa-based company that specializes in providing logistics and supply chain solutions. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
Super Group – Super Group is a South Africa-based company that specializes in providing logistics and supply chain solutions. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
Unitrans – Unitrans is a South Africa-based company that specializes in providing logistics and supply chain solutions. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
DHL Supply Chain – DHL Supply Chain is a South Africa-based company that specializes in providing logistics and supply chain solutions. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
Bidvest Panalpina Logistics – Bidvest Panalpina Logistics is a South Africa-based company that specializes in providing logistics and supply chain solutions. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
It is worth noting that the above companies are examples of companies that operate in Southern Africa and are not a comprehensive list of all refrigerated transport companies in the region. Additionally, the size and value of the refrigerated transport industry in Southern Africa may not be as developed as in other regions.
The size and value of the refrigerated transport industry in North America is difficult to quantify as it varies depending on the source and the specific segment of the industry being measured. However, some estimates suggest that the refrigerated trucking market in North America is worth billions of dollars and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
The North American refrigerated trucking market size was valued at $14.2 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2020 to 2025.
Another report by MarketsandMarkets suggests that the North American refrigerated transport market size was valued at $7.1 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2019 to 2024.
It is important to note that these estimates may vary depending on the source, and these numbers are constantly changing due to the dynamic nature of the economy. Additionally, the size of the refrigerated transport industry in North America is closely tied to factors such as consumer demand for fresh and frozen goods, advancements in technology, and government regulations.
The largest refrigerated transport companies in North America are:
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. – J.B. Hunt is a Fortune 500 company based in Arkansas, USA. It is one of the largest transportation and logistics companies in North America, with a fleet of over 12,000 trucks and more than 100,000 trailers and containers. The company specializes in refrigerated transportation of fresh and frozen goods, as well as dry goods and household goods.
Schneider National, Inc. – Schneider is a privately held company based in Wisconsin, USA. It is one of the largest trucking companies in North America, with a fleet of over 12,000 trucks and more than 50,000 trailers and containers. The company specializes in refrigerated transportation of fresh and frozen goods, as well as dry goods and household goods.
Swift Transportation Co. – Swift is a publicly traded company based in Arizona, USA. It is one of the largest trucking companies in North America, with a fleet of over 18,000 trucks and more than 50,000 trailers and containers. The company specializes in refrigerated transportation of fresh and frozen goods, as well as dry goods and household goods.
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. – C.H. Robinson is a publicly traded company based in Minnesota, USA. It is one of the largest third-party logistics (3PL) companies in North America, providing transportation, warehousing, and logistics services to companies of all sizes. The company has a fleet of over 40,000 vehicles and more than 100 million square feet of warehouse space.
Marten Transport, Ltd. – Marten Transport is a publicly traded company based in Wisconsin, USA. It is one of the largest temperature-controlled truckload carrier in North America, with a fleet of over 3,000 tractors and 8,000 trailers. The company specializes in refrigerated transportation of fresh and frozen goods, as well as dry goods and household goods.
The largest refrigerated transport companies in Australasia are:
Linfox – Linfox is an Australia-based company that specializes in providing logistics and supply chain solutions. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
Toll Group – Toll Group is an Australia-based company that specializes in providing logistics and supply chain solutions. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
Mainfreight – Mainfreight is a New Zealand-based company that specializes in providing logistics and supply chain solutions. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
Star Track – Star Track is an Australia-based company that specializes in providing logistics and supply chain solutions. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
CHEP – CHEP is an Australia-based company that specializes in providing logistics and supply chain solutions. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
It is worth noting that the above companies are examples of companies that operate in Australasia and are not a comprehensive list of all refrigerated transport companies in the region. Additionally, the size and value of the refrigerated transport industry in Australasia may vary depending on the specific country or region. The transportation and logistics industry in Australasia is constantly changing and it is important to conduct further research to get the most updated data.
The largest refrigerated transport companies in Asia are:
Sankyu Inc. – Sankyu is a Japan-based company that specializes in providing logistics and supply chain solutions. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
Nippon Express Co., Ltd. – Nippon Express is a Japan-based company that specializes in providing logistics and supply chain solutions. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
Yusen Logistics Co., Ltd. – Yusen Logistics is a Japan-based company that specializes in providing logistics and supply chain solutions. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
Sinotrans Limited – Sinotrans is a China-based company that specializes in providing logistics and supply chain solutions. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
Kerry Logistics Network Limited – Kerry Logistics is a Hong Kong-based company that specializes in providing logistics and supply chain solutions. The company operates a fleet of refrigerated vehicles and provides refrigerated transportation services for a variety of goods, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
It is worth noting that the above companies are examples of companies that operate in Asia and are not a comprehensive list of all refrigerated transport companies in the region. Additionally, the size and value of the refrigerated transport industry in Asia may vary depending on the specific country or region. The transportation and logistics industry in Asia is constantly changing and it is important to conduct further research to get the most updated data.
Explore the latest USDA export data for US beef and pork, highlighting shifts in sales, key markets, and global trends impacting the industry.
Overview of US Beef and Pork Export Sales
The USDA has released its latest weekly report on US beef and pork export sales, providing critical insights into the performance of these key industries. Despite fluctuations in weekly figures, several major markets continue to drive demand for US meat exports. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the current export sales for both beef and pork, along with a look at how global trends, especially in China, are reshaping trade dynamics.
Beef Export Sales: A Decline in Weekly Figures
According to the USDA report, US beef export sales for 2024 totaled 11,400 metric tons (MT), which marked a 31% decline from the previous week and a significant 41% drop from the prior four-week average. The key markets contributing to the sales figures include:
South Korea: 3,200 MT (including a reduction of 300 MT)
Mexico: 1,900 MT (with a decrease of 100 MT)
Japan: 1,500 MT (including a decrease of 200 MT)
Canada: 1,100 MT
Taiwan: 1,000 MT (with a decrease of 100 MT)
Exports for the week reached 11,800 MT, which is down 21% compared to the previous week and 16% lower than the prior four-week average. Major export destinations included South Korea (3,100 MT), Japan (2,600 MT), China (1,800 MT), Mexico (1,200 MT), and Taiwan (600 MT).
Pork Export Sales: A Significant Increase
On the other hand, US pork export sales for 2024 surged by 43% compared to the previous week, reaching 29,700 MT. This figure is also 15% higher than the prior four-week average. The top markets for US pork during this period were:
Mexico: 14,200 MT (including a decrease of 200 MT)
Japan: 4,300 MT
Colombia: 2,400 MT (including a decrease of 100 MT)
China: 2,000 MT (including a decrease of 200 MT)
Canada: 1,400 MT (with a reduction of 700 MT)
Additionally, a small amount of pork, totaling 100 MT, was sold to the Dominican Republic for 2025. Pork exports for the week reached 25,700 MT, an 8% decrease from the previous week and a 10% drop from the four-week average. Major export destinations were Mexico (10,700 MT), Japan (3,800 MT), China (3,200 MT), Colombia (1,700 MT), and South Korea (1,600 MT).
China’s Declining Meat Imports and Its Global Impact
China’s meat imports have seen a substantial decline through the first eight months of 2024. The country imported 4.40 million metric tons (MMT) of meat products during this period, down 13.9% from the same timeframe in 2023. In August alone, meat imports stood at 565,000 MT, a 9.9% reduction compared to August 2023. Beef imports, in particular, have taken a significant hit, with volumes down by 27% year-over-year as of July 2024.
Several factors have contributed to this drop in imports:
Economic challenges impacting pork and beef consumption.
Sufficient domestic meat supply following stockpiling in 2023.
High levels of pork production within China.
A shift among Chinese consumers toward more affordable protein options due to the country’s economic slowdown.
The Impact of Import Bans and Domestic Production on Chinese Meat Imports
While pork production in China remains strong, reducing the need for imports, the country has imposed import bans on certain US meat facilities, further affecting supply. China’s pork imports may grow slightly to offset a projected 3% decline in domestic production. During the first quarter of 2024, China’s pork output fell by 0.4% year-over-year, marking the first decline in nearly four years.
Beef imports, on the other hand, are expected to continue their downward trend in 2024, primarily due to high year-end inventory levels and relatively stagnant demand. China’s share of global beef imports is forecast to be about 5% lower than in 2023.
Global Trade Shifts in Response to China’s Reduced Meat Imports
As China scales back its meat imports, global trade patterns have shifted. The US, traditionally a key meat exporter to China, has seen a decrease in shipments, while Brazil has ramped up its beef exports to the Chinese market, with a 10.2% increase in the first half of 2024. Australia, facing reduced demand from China, has redirected more of its beef exports to markets like the US and Japan.
National Pork Producers Council Addresses Key Challenges
During a recent virtual briefing, Brian Humphreys, CEO of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), emphasized the importance of addressing the industry’s current challenges. One of the primary issues is securing a new Farm Bill for 2024, which includes provisions to address critical concerns like California’s Proposition 12.
Proposition 12 has placed stringent animal welfare requirements on pork producers, especially those outside California. NPPC officials argue that this regulation imposes unnecessary costs and compliance burdens on pork producers, potentially leading to industry consolidation. The NPPC is pushing for a legislative fix to Prop 12 in the new farm bill to prevent further disruptions in the pork market.
Addressing Labor Shortages and Production Costs
Another significant challenge for pork producers is the ongoing labor shortage. While the H-2A guestworker program has been a focal point for low-skilled labor, pork producers are finding it increasingly difficult to use the TN visa program, which allows for the employment of skilled workers from Mexico and Canada. The NPPC has called for improvements to the TN visa process to help alleviate labor issues, particularly as production technologies become more advanced and require specialized skills.
In addition to labor concerns, higher production costs continue to strain pork producers. Although feed prices have moderated somewhat, fixed costs like transportation, labor, and utilities remain elevated—approximately 25% higher than three years ago, according to NPPC officials.
The Role of Trade Policy in the Pork Industry
Trade remains a critical component for the pork industry, with the NPPC advocating for the renewal of key programs like the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). While new free trade agreements (FTAs) may be unlikely in the near term, existing trade programs can help mitigate some of the challenges faced by US pork producers in a highly competitive global market.
Conclusion: A Shifting Landscape for US Meat Exports
The USDA’s latest data on US beef and pork export sales highlights the dynamic nature of global meat trade. While US pork exports have seen a surge, beef sales are experiencing declines, with China’s reduced imports playing a significant role. As China continues to adjust its domestic production and consumption patterns, other global exporters like Brazil and Australia are stepping in to fill the gap. For US producers, addressing challenges like labor shortages, production costs, and regulatory hurdles remains key to navigating this evolving landscape.
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Hershey is debuting Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies as part of its partnership with basketball star Shaquille O’Neal.
Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies come in Original and Sour varieties. The Original features peach, berry punch and orange flavors shaped like the legendary player’s head. The sour version includes gummies shaped like Shaq’s legendary nicknames, Diesel, The Big Cactus and the Big Shamrock. They come in pineapple, mixed berry and watermelon flavors.
The extra-large size is a nod to the 15-time all-star’s self-proclamation of being the “biggest kid in the candy store.” Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies are rolling out to major retailers this month.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Shaq, a candy lover and cultural icon, to bring more fun to our gummy products,” Vivek Mehrotra, Hershey’s brand manager for sweets, said in a comment provided to Food Dive. “The gummy market is booming, growing nearly twice as fast as chocolate, offering us a dynamic space for innovation and creativity.”
Hershey first touted the Shaqgummies in February at the Consumer Analyst Group of New York gathering in Florida.
At the time, CEO Michele Buck said the offering provided an opportunity to tap into the basketball great’s “connectivity with consumers, especially young diverse consumers, who are our key target on the gummy segment.”
Demand for gummies spiked during COVID-19 as consumers snacked more at home. Since then, the popularity hasn’t let up. The gummy candy market is forecast to reach $750 million in 2032 from $495 million this year, a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%, according to data from Market Growth Report.
Hershey has spent millions of dollars to shore up its gummies production capacity, which is expected to surge 50% in 2024. As a result, the food manufacturer now has additional flexibility to boost innovation, invest more in promotions and get additional SKUs carried at retail.
Along with the Shaq gummies, Hershey’s Jolly Rancher brand earlier this year debuted Awesome Reds, a sour gummy mix with flavors like cherry, pomegranate, watermelon and fruit punch. This month, it is launching Jolly Rancher Ropes in two flavors – Green Apple & Watermelon and Blue Raspberry & Cherry.
Gummies have proven to be a popular platform for innovation among the major confection companies, including Hershey, Mars Wrigley and Ferrara. They have attributes such as being shareable and viewed by consumers as a more permissible indulgence.
The candy also allows companies to leverage the reputation of well-known and easily recognizable brands. For example, Jolly Rancher is known for its fruit-flavored hard candy, and companies can extend this brand into new categories such as gummies.
NutriFusion®, creator of concentrated micronutrient and phytonutrient-rich food ingredient blends sourced from fruits and vegetables, announced that it has been selected as a supplier of choice by Drink Todo, a full meal replacement drink that features the ultimate pairing of taste and essential nutrition and designed to support a healthy, faced-paced lifestyle.
A breakfast smoothie created to replace breakfast, Todo provides prebiotics, adaptogens and antioxidants, is filled with fiber, and offers a milk base of 25g of complete protein, fully devoid of artificial sweeteners or added sugar. The drink’s fiber comes from various fruits and vegetables, including spinach, broccoli, kale, pumpkin, chlorella, sweet potato, cranberries, shiitake and maitake mushrooms and sunflower seeds.
In addition to its notable amount of fiber and protein, todo provides 57% of a recommended daily intake of calcium and 21% of your recommended daily intake of iron, not to mention that it’s an active source of support in efforts around weight loss, muscle building and recovery and gut health.
This development marks the first product approved in the country specifically aimed at reducing methane emissions from livestock. South Korea, a signatory of the Global Methane Pledge, has a cattle population of 3.6 million.
The approval aligns with South Korea’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, highlighted by its comprehensive framework to help farmers adopt eco-friendly practices and a newly introduced low-methane feed program, according to dsm-firmenich.
Mark van Nieuwland, senior vice president at dsm-firmenich, stated that the company will collaborate with the entire beef supply chain—from farm to consumer—to launch Bovaer, supporting South Korea’s environmental and climate goals.
South Korean market drawng attention from innovators
Last year, US-based CH4 Global announced a partnership with multinational conglomerate Lotte International to introduce its methane-reducing technology for ruminants to the South Korean market. The target launch is set for 2025, with Lotte spearheading commercialization efforts while CH4 Global focuses on manufacturing and product supply. The partnership aims to advance regulatory approval through close consultation with the South Korean government and further studies.
Chinese market entry sought
Also known as 3-NOP, Bovaer is already commercially available in 65 countries, including EU member states, the UK, the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and most of Latin America. Authorities are currently reviewing an application for registration of the additive in Japan.
Late last month, dsm-firmenich announced that preparations were underway for it to enter the Chinese dairy market with Bovaer.
The company reported that it was teaming up with China Modern Dairy Holdings, a large dairy integrator, to tailor its offering and go-to-market model for China.
Having launched a methane emissions control action plan in November 2023, China is aiming to significantly reduce methane emissions across various sectors, including agriculture.
According to van Nieuwland, dsm-firmenich is on schedule to submit its Chinese registration dossier for the feed supplement later this year, with the goal of securing approval in the near future.
Registration in the Chinese market would represent a significant step forward in the global effort to reduce agricultural methane emissions and promote sustainability in dairy farming.
Reducing enteric methane emissions from dairy cattle is a key obstacle for the dairy industry globally. Methane lasts about a decade in the atmosphere and is 27x more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat—so smaller reductions create greater impact on temperature.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, at a press conference on the publication of the final report of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture, 4 September 2024. Image credit: European Commission
Consumer health and the financial stability of farmers are at the heart of a new EU policy framework, which stretches across the entire food chain, from agriculture to consumers, on the path to a more sustainable future for the planet.
Conceived by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in September 2023, the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture has finally put forward its recommendations – 14 in total addressed in a 110-page document entitled ‘A shared prospect for farming and food in Europe.’
The aim is to unite farmers, manufacturers and grocers in the EU’s 27 member states toward achieving a comprehensive set of objectives laid down by the Commission (EC). Those agriculture and food industry players currently tend to have disparate agendas, creating a roadblock to a common policy and strategy.
Discussions toward achieving common and fair goals, though not yet set in stone, began in January and brought together 29 “major stakeholders from the European agri-food sectors, civil society, rural communities and academia”.
What does the framework entail?
In a rather large nutshell, some of the key aims include: fostering healthy diets through plant-based foods; the reformulation of foodstuffs by manufacturers to make them healthier; more transparent planet-friendly and animal-welfare labels; protecting children from unhealthy food marketing; and making food affordable for low-income consumers to promote health.
It all starts with farmers, with the Dialogue recommendations seeking to ensure their survival in the transition away from, or at least a reduction in, animal meat consumption through aid programmes and support. The framework also aims to help in achieving targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from livestock.
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Professor Peter Strohschneider, who chaired the panel, said an agreement has been reached “on a shared conceptual consensus for the future of farming and food in Europe, through a new culture of mutual understanding and communication”.
Or as von der Leyen framed it, a “move beyond a polarised debate and create trust among very diverse stakeholders”.
Strohschneider, who once chaired Germany’s Commission for the Future of Agriculture, added: “These joint perspectives, agreed by a diverse and representative group of stakeholders in this sector, form a holistic and societal approach to addressing the EU’s environmental, climate, economic and socio-political goals.”
Key parameters
“Making healthy and sustainable choices [the consumer]; governance change and new culture of cooperations; reducing GHG emissions in agriculture; [and] creating pathways for sustainable animal farming in the EU” are four key parameters for food among the 14 recommendations.
It was recommended within the guidelines that the EC should, by 2026, form a so-called ‘EU Action Plan for Plant-based Foods’ with an aim “to strengthen the plant-based agri-food chains from farmers all the way to consumers.”
Also, within the healthy choice framework, and given the “significant scientific advancements on nutrition”, EU member states should, when they haven’t already done so, adopt “food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) with a view to integrating sustainability and develop strategies to foster” healthy eating.
In terms of finance, an Agri-food Just Transition Fund (AJTF) should be formed, the Dialogue forum suggested, in order to “finance a successful transition of the European agri-food sector”.
Funding projects for the EU agriculture sector would include moves to sustainable farming, and financing “innovative technology projects” for environmental initiatives such as cutting GHG emissions, pollution, water consumption and fostering biodiversity.
To encourage collaboration among the players in the agri-food chain, or a “new culture of cooperation” – one of the other 14 pillars – the Dialogue committee has recommended all those participants, as well as civil society organisations and scientists, form a joint European Board on Agri-food (EBAF).
It should be tasked with identifying “strategies necessary to the implementation and further development of the Strategic Dialogue’s conceptual consensus in order to make agri-food systems more sustainable and resilient”.
Background context
We are all being told one way or another that we are overweight, or even obese, perhaps consuming too many unhealthy foods such as ultra-processed stuff, and sugar- and salt-laden foods. Diets contain not enough fruit and veg and too much meat some would say, with environmental consequences for the latter. As a consequence, there are concerns about the burden on health services from conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and heart disease, culminating in early deaths.
Food manufacturers, although not in generalised terms, have been accused of putting sales and profits before health, and are increasingly being urged to reformulate recipes along health and nutrient-intake guidelines.
Taxes have even been implemented or proposed to encourage them to do that. And consumers, too, are targeted with the removal, in some cases, of multiple-buy offers from stores and sweets and other goodies removed from checkouts.
Some food labelling systems have been criticised for lacking transparency or even for being misleading, with Nutri-Score in Europe getting increasing flak – Danone has recently backed away.
Farmers’ plight
On the environmental front, endeavours to lower greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately meet various net-zero targets – for governments, food manufacturers, grocers and farmers – were emphasised.
Farmers in the EU have long claimed they are and have been squeezed on price from food retailers, with some quitting or going out of business as profit margins evaporated. And, as the world grapples with climate change, they have recently been hit with floods, drought and wildfires.
The Ukraine war has hurt too, with fuel and fertiliser prices going up.
Earlier this year, protests by farmers erupted across the EU in demonstration of their plight, with a key thrust of their anger vented at the bloc’s so-called Green Deal, creating an added financial burden without funding to meet the objectives.
Meanwhile, the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) tends to favour large-scale farmers over small counterparts in terms of the size of the subsidies proffered to keep meat and other goods competitive with overseas imports.
The Dialogue’s mandate, when talks began, was to find solutions to some of these grievances, including providing farmers with a “fair standard of living” and ways “to support agriculture within the boundaries of our planet and its ecosystem”.
Professor Strohschneider said in the Dialogue presentation: “We all want a thriving food and farming sector across our continent, that rewards our farmers, citizens and precious natural heritage. With this report, we have a very solid foundation for the development of a new vision for food and farming in Europe.
“All too often, agricultural production and its natural preconditions have become entangled in a lose-lose constellation.
von der Leyen and Peter Strohschneider, chairman of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture, present the final report, 4 September 2024. Credit: Dati Bendo / European Commission
“With a view to the equal necessity of food and natural resources, it is clear, however, that this lose-lose situation cannot be resolved in either direction alone – neither through the promotion of environmentally incompatible food production, nor through environmental protection that ignores the socio-economic conditions of farming, nor through a mere postponement of one or the other.”
The Dialogue report’s executive summary concluded: “The transition must be designed in such a way that it leads to agri-food systems that are more resilient, sustainable, competitive, profitable, and just.”
What about food?
Under the ‘making the healthy and sustainable choice the easy one’ directive, the aim is to improve access to healthy diets, making them “affordable and attractive” for consumers in the EU.
Noting a trend in the bloc toward plant-based options over animal-based products, the trend should be encouraged and supported with the adoption of an EU Action Plan for Plant-based Foods.
Non-profit organisation ProVeg international said the plan would represent a “seismic shift” toward what it called “climate-friendly food” and such a plan would likely drive development of the category and take-up by consumers.
“The EU is listening to the science and is aware of the significant impact of climate change and how food can impact greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity, water usage, and human health,” Jasmijn de Boo, the global CEO of ProVeg, said.
“It is heartening to know that a serious recommendation has been made to promote climate-friendly, plant-based foods that will give nature a fighting chance to recover.”
Some countries within the EU are already taking strides to foster growth and development in plant-based foods.
The German government allocated €38m ($41.9m) this year to foster growth in plant-based, precision fermentation and lab-grown meat proteins.
The European Commission has also committed €50m to an accelerator to develop food made using precision fermentation and algae, adding to a sector investment of more than €100m through Horizon Europe, according to GFI.
In 2023, Denmark’s government launched its Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods, building on a sector investment of around $168m in 2021. Meanwhile, in Spain, officials in Catalonia have invested a total of €19m since last year, including in R&D for alternative proteins and a dedicated research hub, GFI said.
It has been advocated that funding from governments, as well as public and private partnerships, is vital if plant-based food and proteins are to have any chance of competing on a level playing field with animal meat, let alone enabling the category to become more mainstream or even mass market.
Animal meat subsidies in the EU agriculture sector are a key stumbling block. The Strategic Dialogue forum has recognised that and is proposing funding for farmers to support them in the transition, noting average consumption of meat in the EU currently exceeds dietary recommendations.
“It is important to use the Agri-food Just Transition Fund (AJTF) to support those affected. While also reinforcing the positive externalities that the sector already provides, this support should facilitate a smooth adaptation process, helping farmers, producers, and workers,” the Dialogue text reads.
“As this transition will impact the income and economic viability of livestock farmers and producers, policy interventions, therefore, should address not only consumers but also food providers, producers, manufacturers, and retailers.”
Consumer associations, NGOs, health organisations and educational establishments should work with EU member states to encourage sustainable and healthy diets to reduce environmental impacts, the recommendations urged. To get there, an awareness campaign should be launched across the bloc.
It’s great to see the report recognise that food innovation can coexist alongside our culinary traditions.
Seth Roberts, The Good Food Institute
Seth Roberts, a senior policy manager at the European division of non-profit organisation the Good Food Institute, welcomed the directive for public-private funding partnerships in plant-based foods, which he suggested would help foster growth and innovation.
“It’s great to see the report recognise that food innovation can coexist alongside our culinary traditions, as well as acknowledge the importance of boosting research investment,” Roberts said.
“The Strategic Dialogue points to what EU food policy needs – more progress and less polarisation – and we hope that policymakers will now get to work to build a secure, healthy and sustainable future food system for Europe.”
EU food labelling legislation should also be reviewed, the report recommended, to provide consumers with science-based and transparent information pertaining to sustainability and animal welfare.
To shield children from foods high in fat, sugars and salt, it was suggested the EC should look into the effectiveness of preventive measures on marketing campaigns with a view to issuing feedback by 2026 followed by legislation, if necessary.
Similarly, food manufacturers should “step up efforts and be better incentivised to implement policies and collaborative initiatives where feasible, to improve the nutritional composition and environmental impact of food”.
What happens next?
Subsidies for the EU agriculture sector under the CAP should also be reviewed in what the Dialogue proposals suggested was to come up with a policy that is “fit for purpose” and to encourage a transition to sustainable food consumption.
The report recommended: “The current policy needs to be changed to meet current and future challenges and to accelerate the ongoing transition of agri-food systems towards more sustainable, competitive, profitable, and diverse futures.”
Funding for farmers is an essential that runs through the policy recommendations document and also includes backing for GHG goals.
Policies should entail: “The promotion of integrated resource management practices, including water and nutrients; support in the form of grants covering costs for installing new renewable energy systems on farms, reducing emissions and enhancing energy independence; investment in methane-reducing technologies, including to research and develop such technologies in livestock farming.”
The recommendations set out are intended to “guide the work” of the EC under a second five-year term for President von der Leyen, starting in 2024, in “shaping its Vision for Agriculture and Food”.
In conclusion, the report said: “It will be important for the EC in its various portfolios, the European Parliament, the Member States of the Union, and the organised interest groups of the agri-food system to adopt the shared considerations and recommendations.
“They must develop and concretise them further and translate them into bold and swift decisions for the benefit of the EU farming community, food system, and rural areas, and ultimately for the benefit of the European society.”
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Learn more about Aviagen Group’s sustainability traits & environmental sustainability
9 September 2024
3 minute read
Editor’s note: This article is an excerpt from the Aviagen Group’s Decades of Breeding for Welfare & Sustainability Report and additional articles will follow. The Report is designed to demonstrate Aviagen’s commitment to genetic improvement of welfare and sustainability of broiler and turkey breeds. Plus, it covers much more like techniques to ensure robustness and new methods to improve selection and genetic progress. To read or download the complete report, click here.
Welfare and Sustainability Traits
Aviagen has a long history of incorporating welfare and sustainability measurements into its breeding program to drive progress (Figure 4).
The expansion to include turkey breeding programs has allowed sharing of resources and exchange of new ideas and techniques between the breeding programs.
Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability has long been a core focus for Aviagen. Whilst increasing flock outputs through improvements in traits associated with weight, livability, egg and meat yield play a key role in this, the amount of feed a bird requires to develop and grow is key to the global footprint of poultry production. FCR is the single most important trait for reducing the environmental impact of poultry production (Jones, 2008).
The improvement seen in FCR within both broilers and turkeys has greatly reduced the carbon footprint of poultry meat and also reduced the amount of environmental pollutants associated with poultry production.
Figure 5a shows Aviagen calculations of the relative environmental impact of broiler production over time. Broiler genetics from 1972 had a 50% higher environmental impact than 2020 genetics and future genetics will have 10% lower carbon footprint by 2030 than the bird today, which is in line with the estimations made by Jones (2008).
Turkey genetics resulted in a 20% lower carbon footprint between 1977 and 2020, with an expected 10% improvement by 2030 because of improvements made in the breeding program (Figure 5b). These improvements of about 1% per year are primarily driven by genetic improvement of FCR.
For decades, intensive selection for improved FCR has resulted in a highly feed efficient animal that is far more sustainable than many alternative meat sources.
This can be seen in the evolution of the performance objectives published for the BUT6 and Ross® 308 (Figure 6).
Historically FCR was assessed by measuring feed consumption and weight of birds in individual pens. Since 2004 in broilers and 2006 in turkeys, Aviagen has pioneered the use of feed stations, which record individual bird feed intake using transponder identification within a group environment (Figure 7).
This allows the selection of birds with genes associated with improved feed efficiency while the birds are free to express natural behavior. The feed station technology has been highly successful and example of its importance can be seen in the 50% increase in testing capacity in the turkey breeding programs since 2018.
The feeding stations have also allowed the study of feeding behavior, which has shown that broilers and turkeys share the same structure of short-term feeding behavior, which is regulated by levels of satiety. This was also observed when comparing broilers, turkeys and ducks to cattle, pigs, dolphins and rats (Howie et al., 2010, Tolkamp et al., 2011). The correlations between feeding and drinking behavior traits with performance traits is low. There is a wide range of feed and drinking behavior strategies in the broiler and turkey populations, which is important for their adaptability to a wide range of environments and production systems. Individual bird FCR alongside livability, robustness and weight have jointly contributed to the significant improvements seen in flock FCR.
Since 2014 in broiler and 2017 in turkeys, Aviagen has been applying genomic selection in its breeding programs. Genomic selection increases selection accuracy which results in greater rates of progress across traits. This has been particularly beneficial for FCR where it is not possible to measure the FCR of every individual and the selection accuracy of unmeasured birds is markedly improved thereby enhancing progress in the environmental sustainability of poultry production.
