AGRI-FOOD NEWS
GLOBAL MEAT TRADE ISSUES AIRED AT CONGRESS T rade tariffs, animal welfare, environmental issues, technology, genomics, innovation and consumer trends were among topics of discussion at the 22nd World Meat Congress (WMC) in Dallas, Texas. Representing the Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland (LMC) at the biennial event, themed Trusting in Trade and hosted by the International Meat Secretariat, were LMC Chief Executive Ian Stevenson and Chairman Gerard McGivern. “A hugely significant development that took place at the same time as the 2018 WMC was President Trump’s announcement that trade tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from the EU, Canada and Mexico were to be imposed by the US,” said Stevenson. “This created a very interesting backdrop for the most high-profile
Gerard McGivern
Ian Stephenson
speaker, Sonny Perdue, US Secretary of Agriculture. In his address, Mr Perdue reflected on the monumental challenges facing the world and the noble cause of freeing the world of food insecurity. “We heard from international market analysts who said that the outlook for the global beef sector can be positive and confident. However, they warned
that we must be wary of potential disruptors such as Chinese domestic supply, Indian buffalo meat, the rise of alternative meats and a challenging regulatory environment. “We also heard that the global consumption of sheep meat is rising but most demand growth is coming from developing countries and we must be alive to the possible disruptive effects of Brexit uncertainties, China domestic supply and volatile import demand, regulatory burden and trade disruption.” Almost 800 delegates from 48 countries attended the recent event, including producers, processors, exporters, marketing specialists, policy analysts, economists and meat scientists representing the beef, pork, lamb and veal sectors.
GROWTH TREND CONTINUES FOR LOCAL POTATO SALES
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From left, Angus Wilson, chief executive, and Stuart Meredith, agronomist at Wilson’s Country, celebrate the Comber Earlies’ harvest finally getting underway at the end of June, a full month behind schedule as a result of this year’s prolonged spell of cold weather.
etail potato sales in Northern Ireland are continuing to stage a recovery, following years of falling sales, climbing 1.6% year on year to £45.5m in the year to May 20. Over the same period, volume sales rose by 4.3%, the price paid per kilo by 3.3%, frequency of potato purchases by 1.8% and volume purchased per shopping trip by 1.9%, with market penetration sitting at 96%. Republic of Ireland figures for the same 12-month period, meanwhile, indicate stable retail sales of €196.7m, with 97% market penetration.
“Our analysis indicates that consumers are continuing to buy smaller potato pack sizes,” said Lewis Cunningham, managing director of Wilson’s Country. “It is also very interesting to note that sales of other carbohydrate sources, including rice and pasta have remained static over the past year.” With demand for part-prepared potatoes, peeled, chips and mash growing over the past 12 months, “this is an amazing platform from which to build a campaign to promote the nutritional value of potatoes,” he said.
UFU SLAMS FALLING BEEF & STAGNANT MILK PRICES
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lster Farmers’ Union (UFU) says it is unacceptable that beef prices in Northern Ireland are falling at a time when consumer demand for beef is high. “NI prices are falling and the price differential with GB is getting bigger,” said Sam Chesney, beef and lamb chairman at UFU. “Farmers deserve to be treated fairly. All signals are that the market is strong, there is demand for beef and processors must share the gains with primary producers.
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“The sun is shining and consumers are reaching for their barbecue favourites. The good weather looks set to stay for a while so we expect the trend to continue. This is not the time for processors to be pulling prices but instead to show their commitment to primary producers and a wellfunctioning supply chain.” UFU has also, meanwhile, expressed confusion over local dairy processors holding the base milk price at a time when it should be increasing.
“There is no justification for keeping prices where they are when all market signals are pointing towards an increased return for dairy commodities over the last three months,” said Victor Chestnutt, deputy president at UFU. “A fifth of the local milk supplied in Northern Ireland is produced in April and May. Farmers want to be treated fairly. With global and local market signals positive, farmers expect a milk cheque that reflects the strength of the market.”