USDA Announces Planned Trade Missions for 2024

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced next steps in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s efforts to bolster U.S. agricultural trade, including the department’s planned trade missions for 2024 and the opening of a public comment period for the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP). These efforts will help to support further growth in U.S. agricultural exports and introduce high-quality U.S. agricultural products to new markets.

“Market diversification is an important tool for maximizing growth opportunities for U.S. agriculture, as well as hedging...

American Egg Board Embarks on Trade Mission to Boost U.S. Export Growth

Last week, the American Egg Board (AEB) embarked on a 2023 U.S. Egg Industry Trade Mission to further its goal of boosting U.S. export growth and creating a stronger, more sustainable, and more resilient egg industry.

Home of The Incredible Egg, the American Egg Board is the national marketing organization of America's egg farmers. AEB's mission is to increase demand for eggs and egg products through research, education, and promotion. AEB is located in Chicago. 

From November 6-11, AEB faculty and U.S. egg industry leaders traveled to...

NCBA Again Strongly Opposes USDA’s Decision to Allow Paraguayan Beef Imports

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) strongly opposes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to allow Paraguayan beef imports starting next month. NCBA has repeatedly raised concerns with USDA over Paraguay’s history of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and the outdated information used to justify Paraguay’s access to the U.S. market. NCBA is concerned that USDA’s failure to use information from recent site visits in the risk assessment may pose great risk to the safety of the U.S. cattle herd...

Paraguayan Authorities Approve Health Protocol for Beef Exports to U.S.

In a notice issued Monday, Minerva Foods announced that Servicio Nacional de Calidad y Salud Animal, from Paraguay, has approved a health protocol for Paraguayan beef exports to the United States.

Minerva Foods is South America's leading beef exporter and has four plants in Paraguay. Combined, those four facilities have a slaughter capacity of 8,000 head per day. 

Only bureaucratic procedures remain before Paraguayan production units are certified and exports can be started, added the company. Once certified, these units will be added to assets in Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay....

Fine-dining Initiative Underway to Differentiate U.S. Pork in Taiwan

USMEF kicks off a new campaign to revitalize U.S. pork’s image with the trade and consumers

Following setbacks that slashed exports of U.S. pork to Taiwan in recent years, demand has rebounded in 2023. Taiwan’s zero-tolerance policy for ractopamine residues and persistent trade tensions kept ractopamine in the public eye, creating a difficult business climate as U.S. exports plunged in 2021 and 2022.

While these headwinds linger, the business climate for U.S. pork has improved as supplies from Europe and domestic producers have...

Import Cargo Slowing Along with Spending Growth

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports has already hit its expected peak for the year and should gradually slow headed into the holiday season, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“Cargo volumes will still be strong the rest of the year, but not as high as we expected a month ago,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Retailers stocked up early this year as a safeguard against supply chain labor issues and are...

TMF at Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to Increase 4% on November 1, 2023

The West Coast MTO Agreement (WCMTOA) today announced that on November 1, 2023, the Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will increase by 4%. The adjustment matches the combined 4% increase in longshore wage and assessment rates recently ratified in the coastwide contract between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association.

Beginning November 1, the TMF will be $35.57 per TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) or $71.14 per forty-foot container...

USMEF Partners with Chilean Importer to Grow its Portfolio of U.S. Pork Cuts

To address reduced U.S. pork sales with a major importer in Chile, USMEF South American Representative Jessica Julca worked with the importer to develop a client database to segment its customers based on their purchasing patterns and potential needs.

“El Carnicero used to import several cuts of U.S. pork but with greater availability from competitors, they were down to importing one U.S. cut,” says Julca. “The database contains purchasing data for 211 of its customers and helps them to identify loyal customers and market opportunities...

Partnerships Key to Market Development Efforts for U.S. Pork Loin in Peru

U.S. industry partnerships are behind a U.S. pork loin initiative with a major importer in Peru. Critical to the success of this initiative were technical cutting demonstrations performed for importers last year by Dr. David Newman, senior vice president for market growth for the National Pork Board (NPB) and a past member of USMEF’s executive committee.

During a USMEF-led, NPB team visit last year, Dr. Newman conducted a pork fabrication seminar for Peruvian importers to demonstrate new ideas for...

Bellboy Import Corporation Recalls Frozen, Raw Pork Products 

Bellboy Import Corporation, the importer of record located in Saint Charles, Minn., is recalling approximately 551 pounds of frozen, raw pork products that were not presented for import reinspection into the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

• 25-kg./55.12-lb. cardboard boxes of vacuum-packed packages containing Aurora brand “FROZEN PORK BELLY, SHEET RIBBED, SKIN ON” with production dates between 19/06/2023-26/06/2023 and shipping mark 308161 on the box.
  The products subject to recall bear Brazilian establishment number...

National Retail Federation: August Import Volumes Expected to Jump as Retailers Prep for Holidays

Peak import season is coming, and according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), import cargo volumes at the top container ports in the country are expected to hit their highest levels in almost a year.

Imports will jump as retailers prep for the holiday season, per the  Global Port Tracker report released today by the NRF and Hackett Associates.

Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett noted double-digit year-over-year cargo volume decreases, despite increasing consumer spending and employment...

Imports Building Toward August Peak as One Labor Dispute Ends But Others Develop

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports is expected to climb toward an August peak this summer, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. But even though a tentative contract agreement has been reached at West Coast ports, retailers are closely following labor disputes at ports in western Canada and a potential Teamsters strike against United Parcel Service.

“We were relieved that labor and management at West Coast ports reached a tentative agreement last month...

U.S.'s Yellen Begins China Visit with Both Sides Locked in Confrontation

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen arrived in the Chinese capital on Thursday, beginning a four-day visit expected to focus on easing ties between the world's two largest economies, despite low expectations on both sides.

Yellen received a low-key welcome from a Chinese finance ministry official and the U.S. envoy to China, Nicholas Burns, as she stepped off a government aircraft just after a rainstorm brought some relief to an otherwise sweltering Beijing.

Both sides are sceptical that Yellen's visit will be able to take much heat...

U.S. Red Meat Industry Makes Presence Known at SIAL China

An eye-catching location and expanded pavilion with spacious public reception areas, private meeting spaces, meat sample displays and a separate cooking area for product tastings were among the pieces in place to ensure a prominent presence for the U.S. red meat industry at SIAL China in Shanghai. Twelve members joined the USMEF Pavilion at the show, which hosted 175,527 attendees from 67 countries during the three-day event.

These elements were part of a blueprint designed to tout grain-fed U.S. beef and pork as top quality and show...

U.S., China Start Talking Again, With Global Economic Order at Stake

Washington and Beijing are talking again. The test now is whether they can settle into a new normal that avoids upending the global economy—or fall back into a cycle of acrimony and retaliation.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen heads to China on Thursday through Sunday to meet with senior government officials, her department said Sunday. The trip comes as tensions over trade, technology and Taiwan prompt both countries to reconsider the deep commercial and investment ties that have defined the relationship for decades. Yellen is hoping to preserve...

USDA Efforts Lift Ban on U.S. Poultry Exports to Colombia

Quick action by FAS, USDA’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has resolved an issue that temporarily stopped U.S. poultry product exports to Colombia, our 10th largest market for these products.

Colombia’s Ministry of Agriculture instructed all Colombian ports to deny import permits to any poultry products beginning June 1 on concerns of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Roughly $1.1 million in U.S. exports were impacted by the ban between June 3 and June 8...

EU Approves 11th Sanctions Package Against Russia Over Ukraine

European Union governments agreed on Wednesday to an 11th package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, aimed at stopping other countries and companies from circumventing existing measures.

The new package, tweeted by Sweden as EU president, forbids transit via Russia of an expanded list of goods and technology which might aid Russia's military or security sector.

The biggest novelty, diplomats said, was enabling restrictions on the sale of sensitive dual-use goods and technology to third countries that might sell it on to Russia. Names of such countries...

Distribuidora El Paisano Import, LLC, Recalls Ineligible Ready-To-Eat Pork Rind Product 

Distribuidora El Paisano Import, LLC, a distributor and the importer of record located in Providence, R.I., is recalling approximately 1,715 pounds of imported ready-to-eat pork rind product that was imported from Guatemala, a country ineligible to export meat products to the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

5.3 oz. (150g) foil pouch packages containing "TorTrix Con Chicharrón."
The product subject to recall does not bear an establishment number nor a USDA mark of inspection...

Cargill to Sell China Poultry Unit to Private Equity Firm DCP Capital

U.S. agribusiness giant Cargill said it is selling its poultry business in China to private equity firm DCP Capital, exiting a Chinese meat market that has become increasingly challenging, especially for foreign players.

The sale of the unit known as Cargill Protein China is subject to regulatory approvals but is expected to close this year, Cargill said in a statement on Wednesday.

It did not give a transaction price and DCP declined to comment on the deal.

China is the world's No.2 poultry producer after the...

Urner Barry Releases May Pulse Protein Report

As of May 10, Ethiopia remains in the top spot of the dried pea export value chart, with a 55% increase in value year-over-year (YoY) noted. Cameroon holds the fifth spot, with a 71% decrease in value. Canada is holding the number one spot for dried lentils with a 1% decrease and Mexico holds the number three position with...

Import Volumes to Sit Below 2022 for the Majority of the Year

The Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates showed import cargo volume at major U.S. ports rising from three-year lows in February.

Despite the uptick in imports, the report expects import volumes to remain well below 2022 levels heading into the fall.

“Consumers are still spending and retail sales are expected to increase this year, but we’re not seeing the explosive demand we saw the past two years,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Congestion at the ports has largely 

World Food Prices Rise for First Time In a Year

The United Nations food agency's world price index rose in April for the first time is a year, but is still some 20% down on a record high hit in March 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) price index, which tracks the most globally traded food commodities, averaged 127.2 points last month against 126.5 for March, the agency said on Friday. The March reading was originally given as 126.9.

The Rome-based agency said the April rise reflected higher prices for sugar, meat and...

Urner Barry Releases April Soy & Wheat Report

The outlook for 2022/23 U.S. wheat in April is for slightly higher supplies, reduced domestic use, unchanged exports, and increased ending stocks. Supplies are raised by 5 million bushels on higher imports, based on...

Urner Barry Releases April Pulse Protein Report

As of April 12, Ethiopia remains in the top spot of the dried pea export value chart, with a 37% decrease in value year-over-year (YoY) noted. Cameroon holds the fifth spot, with a 79% decrease in value. Canada is holding the number one spot for...

The State of U.S. Imports as Q1 2023 Comes to a Close

While financial markets in the U.S. have recently been fighting to get through the morass of two banks nearly collapsing until being saved by the Federal Government, the show must go on. Businesses are certainly being impacted by these uncertain times with inflation and recession common, everyday words. So, what has been going on with the state of imports coming into the U.S. as we are somewhat over the pandemic according to most estimates...

Urner Barry Releases March Soy & Wheat Report

The 2022/23 U.S. wheat supply and demand outlook unchanged from February. The projected season-average farm price remains at $9.00 per bushel. The January 2023 farm price reported in the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Agricultural Prices publication was $8.82 per bushel, down from $8.98 in...

Urner Barry Releases March Pulse Protein Report

As of March 8, Ethiopia remains in the top spot of the dried pea export value chart, with a 47% decrease in value year-over-year (YoY) noted. Cameroon holds the fifth spot, with a 31% increase in value. Canada is holding the number one spot for dried lentils with a 6% decrease and...

Urner Barry Releases February Soy & Wheat Report

The potential for a smaller than anticipated Argentine soybean crop supports the U.S. soybean meal export program during the second part of the marketing year (MY), June 1-May 31. In the U.S., average soybean meal prices in Decatur, IL have risen by over $45.00 per ton in the past few months. As a result, the 2022/23 U.S. soybean meal price forecast is lifted to $450.00 per ton.

Urner Barry Releases February Pulse Protein Report

As of February 8, Ethiopia remains in the top spot of the dried pea export value chart, with a 94% increase in value year-over-year (YoY) noted. China still holds the fourth spot, with a 11% drop in value YoY. Canada is holding the number one spot for dried lentils with a 3% decrease and Sudan now holds the number two position with a sharp rise in value. Canada is holding the top spot for dried chickpea exports, with a 40% increase in value YoY. ...

NRF: February Imports to Hit Lowest Point in 3 Years

Import cargo volume is expected to drop to its lowest level since the pandemic began according to the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates’ Global Port Tracker report.

“With the U.S. economy slowing and consumers worried by rising interest rates and still-high inflation, retailers are importing less merchandise,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “February is traditionally a slow month, but these are the lowest numbers we’ve seen in almost three years. Retailers are being cautious as they wait...

Urner Barry Releases January Soy & Wheat Report

In the latest WASDE report, the USDA reported the 2022/23 U.S. wheat outlook in January is for increased supplies, larger domestic use, unchanged exports, and lower ending stocks. Supplies are raised on higher beginning stocks as reported in the National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) Grain Stocks report. Feed and residual use is increased 30 million bushels to 80 million bushels based on higher second-quarter implied disappearance based on the Grain Stocks report. The season-average farm price is ...

Urner Barry Releases January Pulse Protein Report

As of January 11, Ethiopia remains in the top spot of the dried pea export value chart. China still holds the fourth spot, with a 76% decrease in value year-over-year (YoY) noted. Canada is holding the number one spot for lentils with a 9% increase and Mexico is in the number two position with a 9% rise. Pakistan continues to hold the top spot for dried chickpea exports, with a 77% decline in value YoY.

The 2022/2023 (runs from September 2022–August 2023) dry bean marketing year is underway; with...

Imports Drop Below 2 Million TEU As Pandemic-Driven Shipping Surge Comes to an End

With a pandemic-driven surge finally over, monthly import cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports has fallen below the 2 million TEU mark and should remain there through most of this spring, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“Ports have been stretched to their limits and beyond but are getting a break as consumer demand moderates amid continued inflation and high interest rates,” NRF Vice President for Supply...