Canada ditches drugs to feed China's big appetite for pork
Canada has overtaken the United States as the top North American supplier of pork to China as farmers and meat packers in both nations battle for lucrative shares of the biggest global market.
Canada's pork sales to China, after a sharp rise last year, exceeded those of the United States in the first quarter of 2017. That's only happened a handful of times in two decades, according to US and Canadian government data.
Rising affluence is driving China's voracious appetite for pork, including parts of the pig - feet, elbows, innards - which command little value in most countries. At the same time, tightened environmental standards in China have forced farm closures and boosted demand for cheaper imports.
That's a bonanza for Canadian farmers, who have almost completely removed the growth drug ractopamine from their pigs' diet - largely because it is banned in China, which consumes half the world's pork.
US exports to China, by contrast, are limited because only about half of the nation's herd has been weaned off the drug, according to US hog producers, meat packers and animal feed dealers.
But major US-based firms are now moving to produce more ractopamine-free hogs.
The ascension of Canada's pork exports underscores the power of the gargantuan Chinese market to influence agricultural practices and profits in supplier countries worldwide.
As recently as 2013, annual US pork sales to China, some 333,000 tonnes, more than doubled Canada's shipments of 161,000 tonnes.
That's the same year Canada's hog industry started to remove ractopamine, best known as Eli Lilly product Paylean.
In the first quarter of this year, Canada shipped nearly 93,000 tonnes of pork to China, on pace to hit 372,000 tonnes annually. That eclipsed the 87,500 tonnes that the United States shipped, according to data from both governments.
The European Union, which has long banned ractopamine, is China's top foreign pork supplier, sending 393,365 tonnes there in the first quarter.
Chinese authorities banned the use of ractopamine in livestock in 2002. They say meat raised with the drug can cause nausea and diarrhoea in people and be life-threatening to sufferers of heart disease.
The China market is so lucrative that Canada's HyLife started selling pork online directly to Chinese consumers last year.
Chinese demand has driven up prices for by-products including pigs' feet, kidneys and livers. Pigs' feet sell for more than C$2.50 (€1.65) per kilogram - double their value two years ago. Stewed pig's feet with white beans is a famous dish from Sichuan province, one of China's culinary capitals. In Beijing, stir-fried pig's liver with vegetables is common on dinner tables.
In all, China consumed 55 million tonnes of pork last year. Although that is the lowest total in four years, imports are rising because China's small-scale farmers have left the pork business in recent years because of falling prices and rising environmental standards.
Source: Reuters. Date: 2017-06-23
Chinese remain keen on agricultural investment
Chinese investors and companies remain eager to invest in Australian agriculture, with vineyards, dairy and aquaculture named yesterday as the most popular sectors.
The Agri-Investor forum in Melbourne was told by Matthew Schofield, partner with pioneering Chinese accountancy business ShineWing, that his Chinese clients had not been deterred by reports of anti-Chinese investment sentiment.
Mr Schofield said Chinese investors wanted to be part of the story involving China’s growing demand for high-quality food, with Australia seen as a safe place to invest with high regulatory, biosecurity and environmental standards. A key appeal was that freehold land could be bought in perpetuity.
Mr Schofield described the avalanche of Chinese money in agricultural investment in Australia as “astounding”.
“Our prospective clients want clean and green gold standard (food); I call it the Louis Vuitton syndrome that we must protect at all costs,” Mr Schofield said.
“They want premium brands and think our food quality is fantastic and, like with Louis Vuitton [handbags], they are prepared to pay a significant premium for it.”
Mr Schofield said China’s worst kept secret, that its rivers, soils and water table were heavily polluted, was now out in the open.
He nominated vineyard investment as a continuing “hot area”, in line with the increased consumption of premium wines by wealthy Chinese and the high regard held for Treasury Wine Estates’ Penfold red wine labels.
Mr Schofield tipped the purchase of dairy assets — from farms to infant formula brands and processing plants — as the next wave of Chinese investment, as new import regulations and registration rules to be introduced in early 2018 became clearer and the desire to lock in Australian milk supply remained.
“I think seafood and aquaculture will be the next round; you only have to look at (Chinese companies) buying hotels and casinos around the world and to think about Chinese tourists loving their seafood to see that,” he said.
Former trade minister Andrew Robb, who sits on the board of the joint Chinese-Australian owned Kidman cattle empire and is advising the Seafarms Group on its $2 billion prawn farm project near Kununurra, said business deals between China and Australia were the key to the future.
He said the live export cattle deal recently signed by Hancock’s Gina Rinehart with the Chinese New Hope group, which will see Hancock export up to 800,00 cattle a year to feedlots and abattoirs on an island near Shanghai, was an example of such future agribusiness co-operation.
Source: The Australian Business Review. Date: 2017-06-22
Agriculture expo expected to draw Chinese investors
More than 1,000 Chinese investors and businessmen will soon come to Cambodia to seek investment partnerships with their Cambodian counterparts during the inaugural International Agriculture Products and Expository conference on Koh Pich Island.
The inaugural event is set for June 25 to 28 and expo organizer Bridget Lau, president of the US-International Federation for Supporting Small and Medium Enterprises, said 800 Chinese companies from 30 provinces in China will bring more than 8,000 pieces of agriculture equipment to showcase in Cambodia.
“Through this expo, we want the world to know about the Cambodian agriculture sector,” she said yesterday during a press briefing on the upcoming conference. “We strongly hope that Cambodian agricultural products will have more market access to the globe after the expo.”
“Cambodia has a wide range of agricultural products, so we are calling for Chinese investors to invest and purchase agriculture products from Cambodia,” Ms. Lau added, noting that companies from Taiwan, Japan and Vietnam are also attending.
Lim Heng, vice president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, said that through this expo, more and more Chinese companies will partner with Cambodian companies to produce and process agricultural products to export to China and other countries.
“We don’t want to bring goods from China to sell in the Cambodian market; we want to have factories here to produce and process agricultural products for export,” he said.
Mao Minea, director of the department of agricultural extension at the Ministry of Agriculture, said the government supports the expo, just as it supports the sector.
He said the government has strategies to develop and boost the agriculture sector by building a 14.5-meter deep-sea port, lowering the electricity tariff, and developing airports for transportation.
Mr Minea added that Cambodia exported about 257,637 tonnes of rice in the first five months of 2017, up 10 percent compared to the first five months of 2016.
The government has also set up a taskforce to monitor commodity prices to protect people’s living standards, he said.
Commerce Minister Pan Sorasak will lead the taskforce with officials from relevant departments in the ministry.
The taskforce will study and collect data related to production, cost and supply chain capacity, including the commodity price of prioritised products such as rice, fish, chicken, pork, gas, diesel and cassava.
Source: Khmer Times. Date: 2017-06-22
CM swine summit a great success! AARTD met with leaders within the Chinese Swine Industry
From June 18th to June 20th AARTD attended the summit held by CM, a joined venture between the Carthage Group and MHJ Agritech Consulting Limited. Key leaders within the Swine Industry attended the event where they were updated on the latest trends and insights within the industry.
The summit was opened by Dr. Connor and Dr. Yang Lei, after which other experts within the industry provided presentations on various aspects of pig farming.
Dr. Connor welcomes attending guests at the opening of the CM convention.
Dr. Yang Lei at the opening of the CM convention
On the second day a banquet was held where people could meet and enjoy a fine dining experience. The ambiance was relaxed and live music was provided.
The team of CM uses the banquet as a moment to acknowledge the attending guests
Live music was provided during the banquet
During the summit focus was laid on education within the Chinese pig farming industry. Presentations provided by both Michael Ellermann and Dr. Yang Lei emphasised the importance of employee welfare and vocational training of pig farm employees.
Finally the latest developments regarding disease control and animal nutrition were discussed by experts in multiple lectures.
The CM summit was a great success and further editions will be met with great expectations.
CM swine summit a great success! AARTD met with leaders within the Chinese Swine Industry (2)
From June 18th to June 20th AARTD attended the summit held by CM, a joined venture between the Carthage Group and MHJ Agritech Consulting Limited. Key leaders within the Swine Industry attended the event where they were updated on the latest trends and insights within the industry.
The summit was opened by Dr. Connor and Dr. Yang Lei, after which other experts within the industry provided presentations on various aspects of pig farming.
Dr. Connor welcomes attending guests at the opening of the CM convention.
Dr. Yang Lei at the opening of the CM convention
On the second day a banquet was held where people could meet and enjoy a fine dining experience. The ambiance was relaxed and live music was provided.
The team of CM uses the banquet as a moment to acknowledge the attending guests
Live music was provided during the banquet
During the summit focus was laid on education within the Chinese pig farming industry. Presentations provided by both Michael Ellermann and Dr. Yang Lei emphasised the importance of employee welfare and vocational training of pig farm employees.
Finally the latest developments regarding disease control and animal nutrition were discussed by experts in multiple lectures.
The CM summit was a great success and further editions will be met with great expectations.
CM swine summit a great success! AARTD met with leaders within the Chinese Swine Industry (3)
From June 18th to June 20th AARTD attended the summit held by CM, a joined venture between the Carthage Group and MHJ Agritech Consulting Limited. Key leaders within the Swine Industry attended the event where they were updated on the latest trends and insights within the industry.
The summit was opened by Dr. Connor and Dr. Yang Lei, after which other experts within the industry provided presentations on various aspects of pig farming.
Dr. Connor welcomes attending guests at the opening of the CM convention.
Dr. Yang Lei at the opening of the CM convention
On the second day a banquet was held where people could meet and enjoy a fine dining experience. The ambiance was relaxed and live music was provided.
The team of CM uses the banquet as a moment to acknowledge the attending guests
Live music was provided during the banquet
During the summit focus was laid on education within the Chinese pig farming industry. Presentations provided by both Michael Ellermann and Dr. Yang Lei emphasised the importance of employee welfare and vocational training of pig farm employees.
Finally the latest developments regarding disease control and animal nutrition were discussed by experts in multiple lectures.
The CM summit was a great success and further editions will be met with great expectations.
Chinese government approves new GMO crops
China plans to import two new varieties of genetically modified crops from the United States, as it accelerates a review of biotech products as part of its broader efforts to promote economic and trade ties with the US.
The approvals came right after China finalized detailed protocols on imports of US beef. The outcome was arrived at due to the two nations' willingness over the past several months to enforce their 100-day action plan agreed by their top leaders, with a goal to establish a comprehensive economic dialogue.
Wu Laping, a professor of the College of Economic and Management at China Agricultural University, said the updated approvals to US agricultural products are based on the mutual benefits that the two sides stand to gain.
"Not only will it meet China's increasing domestic grain demand, but also contribute to growth in the US," he said.
In May, China pledged to speed up checks of eight US varieties of GMO crops under the bilateral trade deal.
Two of them received approval from China's Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday, said the ministry in a statement. The ministry gave permits to two US-based agriculture companies Monsanto Co and Dow AgroSciences LLC to ship their soybeans and corn to China from June 12.
The ministry said it also renewed import approvals for 14 other GMO crops.
In China, foreign companies must obtain safety certificates issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, in order to export GMO crops to the market. Testing, production and marketing are subject to government approval.
Under the 100-day plan, imported crops will only be used as raw materials, and none are permitted to be grown in China, according to Wu Kongming, vice-president of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
Commenting on Chinese consumers' deep concerns about the safety of GMO foodstuffs, Wu said relevant government bodies are bound to take prudent measures to make evaluations and ensure food safety.
Source: Reuters. Date: 2017-06-16
Norway helps Vietnam boost aquaculture training
The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s HCM City branch (VCCI HCM) and the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO), on June 14, began a two-year programme for improving the quality of vocational training in aquaculture.
Accordingly, between now and 2019, the NHO will help the VCCI HCM train 500 labourers for the sector in Mekong Delta and south central regions.
Bui Thi Ninh, head of the bureau for employers’ activities at the VCCI HCM, said the programme aims to link enterprises and vocational training schools, and reinforce enterprises’ collaboration with training schools to create a skilled workforce that is able to meet the requirements of employers in the aquaculture industry.
It also seeks to expand awareness of career opportunities in the field among parents and high school students, she said.
It will be piloted in Dong Thap and Khanh Hoa provinces.
Speaking at the launch in HCM City on June 14, Vo Tan Thanh, director of the VCCI HCM, said fishery is one of the country’s key economic sectors, with aquaculture and fishing output exceeding 6.7 million tonnes last year and export earnings reaching 7 billion USD.
The industry employs around nine million people directly and indirectly, but more than 60 percent are unskilled, he said.
Tore Myhre, director of NHO’s International Department, said investing in skills development, especially vocational training, is important to improve the productivity and profitability of enterprises.
Aquaculture is a sector that is growing in importance for both countries, he said.
NHO and VCCI, together with Vietnamese and Norwegian industry players, have identified a need for more skilled and productive operators in their value chain from production to processing, he said.
“The current availability of vocational training for the aquaculture industry is limited despite an increase in demand for human resources.
“The aquaculture industry is also becoming more technically advanced, which increases the demand for skilled workers.
“Working in aquaculture is by many perceived as a low-status job often associated with heavy manual labour. The industry is however in rapid development, and needs to attract motivated and skilled young professionals.
“For this to happen, one needs to increase knowledge among parents and young students about what it means to work on a modern fish farm.”
The project would address this through various career guidance initiatives, he said.
Thanh said since 2010 the VCCI HCM, with technical support from NHO, has co-operated with the Dong Nai College of High Technologyand companies in Dong Nai province to pilot a training programme in mechanical engineering and hospitality.
Ninety seven percent of students from this training programme have got jobs after graduating, with their training quality deeply appreciated by employers, he said.
Following its success, NHO and the VCCI HCM have expanded their co-operation to the aquaculture sector, he added.
Source: VNA. Date: 2017-06-16
U.S. beef speeds to China by air as trade deal ends 14-year ban
The first shipment of U.S. beef to China under a new trade deal went airborne on Wednesday, a Nebraska meat company said, just two days after Washington finalized details to resume exports, ending a 14-year ban.
Greater Omaha Packing Co said it shipped beef by plane to China from Nebraska, a top U.S. beef producing state, to meet strong demand.
"They want it right away," Chief Executive Officer Henry Davis said about Chinese consumers.
Beijing banned U.S. beef imports in 2003 after a U.S. scare over mad cow disease, but last month agreed to allow U.S. shipments by mid July as part of a broader trade deal.
Talks moved quickly, and U.S. officials said on Monday they had finalized requirements for exports.
China is the world's fastest growing beef market, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and its imports increased to $2.5 billion last year from $275 million in 2012.
To win business, Greater Omaha Packing has hired bilingual salespeople from China, Davis said. He added that the company had received hundreds of phone calls in recent months about sales to China from potential customers and distributors.
To make the first shipment, the company, which exports to other countries, affixed labels in English and Chinese on every box of beef on the flight, Davis said.
"We'd never done Chinese before," he said.
So far, only Greater Omaha Packing and Tyson Foods Inc, the biggest U.S. meat company, have processing plants approved by the USDA to ship beef to China.
Tyson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On Tuesday, Cargill Inc [CARG.UL], another major beef processor, said that only a small percentage of the total current U.S. cattle supply would qualify for exports to China under the terms of the new trade agreement.
The deal requires U.S. producers to track the birthplace of cattle born in the United States that are destined for export to China and take other steps.
Some U.S. producers still view the market as lucrative, given China's expanding middle class.
The U.S. Meat Export Federation, a trade group, said this week that China's import requirements will add costs for producers.
However, CEO Philip Seng said "China holds exciting potential for the U.S. beef industry and for buyers in the market who have waited a very long time for the return of high-quality U.S. beef."
Source: Reuters. Date: 2017-06-16
Bac Lieu sets up hi-tech shrimp farming area
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has issued a decision on the establishment and operational regulations of a high technology agriculture area specialised in shrimp development in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu.
The area, run by the Bac Lieu People’s Committee, covers 418.91 hectares in Hiep Thanh commune, Bac Lieu city.
It will focus on applying and developing advanced technology in shrimp farming from production of varieties of shrimp to the farming process, food, shrimp processing, storing and transferring technology serving the shrimp sector of the province, Ca Mau peninsular, the Mekong Delta region and the country.
The area will also host research, experiments with hi-tech shrimp farming models, and the use of high technology in the shrimp sector.
At the same time, the area will provide training of human resources for Vietnam’s shrimp sector. It will serve as a venue for events and exhibitions on technology, attracting human resources and investment for the sector.
It will enjoy preferential policies in line with legal regulations on science and technology. The Government will also encourage science-technology organisations to perform research in the area.
Source: VNA. Date: 2017-06-16