On 2 July, the European Commission authorised two genetically modified maize crops and renewed the authorisation for another genetically modified maize crop for food and animal feed, according to a news release from the Commission.

In Hesse, there have been two further outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in domestic pigs, according to a news release from German pig group ISN. This was announced by the Hessian Ministry of Agriculture this afternoon. Affected are two farms with 17 and 170 pigs, which are located in the southern district of Groß-Gerau and thus in the previously existing restriction zone in Hesse.

The recent outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the states of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate are not likely caused by a virus that migrated from east Germany, but from elsewhere in Europe. That was the result of a recent genome analysis.

Major global fast food restaurant chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is no longer serving pork at its restaurants in Canada. It is also switching all its chicken to halal, which is a category of meat that is slaughtered according to Muslim religious practices.

A 2nd pig farm has been infected with African Swine Fever (ASF) in the western German state Hesse, near Frankfurt am Main. This time the virus was found in a commercial finisher farm, having 1,100 pigs on-site.

With the pig industry facing numerous challenges, biosecurity is of particular importance. In Ukraine, personnel and transport have traditionally been critical points of disease spread. New educational videos from the AUPB and USDA will help pork producers implement best practices on their farms, which will help maintain animal health and ensure the sustainable development of the industry.

The heat is driving down pork prices: in mid-July, purchase prices for live pork decreased, according to analysts of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders, based on the results of weekly monitoring of purchase prices.

China on Thursday named Danish Crown, as well as Dutch and Spanish pork firms as targets in an anti-dumping probe into European Union pork imports, as Beijing steps up pressure against the bloc's curbs on its electric vehicle exports, reported Reuters. 

Santa Catarina accounted for 56% of Brazil's pork export volume and 58% of the revenue in the first six months of this year.

The largest decline was in domestic pig production as the total number of pigs decreased by 10% to 4.7m animals.

With feed costs down more than 25% in the second quarter, Iowa State estimates wean-to-finish operations averaged profits of more than $20 per head for the period, a huge swing from losses of $40 per head a year earlier, according to the most recent CoBank Quarterly. Not only have falling feed costs played a pivotal role in improving producer profitability, but value at the meat case also appears to be helping pork disappearance. COVID-pandemic related savings are depleted and consumers are relying more heavily on credit, which is supportive of disappearance of budget-friendly meat options.

China's pork output in the second quarter shrank from a year earlier, government data showed on Monday, falling on an annual basis for a second consecutive quarter as weak demand amid a slowing economy limited slaughter rates, reported Reuters. 

Vietnam has culled 42,400 infected pigs so far this year.

Changes in market conditions and key indicators of the situation on the Ukrainian pork market were tracked by analysts of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders.

There have been new outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in several countries in Asia and Europe.

During the second week of July, prices for slaughter pigs remained at the previous level. The stabilisation of purchase prices is reported by analysts of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders based on the results of weekly monitoring of purchase prices.

African swine fever has reached the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, which borders Belgium, France, and Luxembourg.

Improving biosecurity is a priority for the industry, given the epizootic risks. This requirement applies not only to pig producers, but also to genetics, feed and processors who are closely linked in the pork production chain. Moreover, such cooperation involves transport of animals and processed products, which is considered a major factor in the spread of infectious diseases. 

The May increase in pork prices did not "stick" in June, so the average prices for chilled pork semi-finished products were on average 1% cheaper than a month earlier. The decline in pork prices in retail chains is evidenced by the results of the monthly monitoring of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders.

Rabobank reports near-term oversupply on optimal growing conditions; demand steady.