Page 328 of articles about markets-economics

At the end of August the average EU reference price was 11 per cent lower than a year earlier in Euro terms but just four per cent lower in sterling terms. In recent months the UK premium over the average EU price has increased, averaging between 20 and 30p/kg for much of 2009.

Less than 5 percent of farms saw an improvement in income this year, a drastic downturn compared to the same time last year when one in four farms saw better year over year income, according to Rabobank’s Farm & Ranch Survey.

The Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council has decided to increase its financial support for pork exports by funding specific marketing campaigns in key markets such as Japan, Mexico and South Korea.

During the second quarter of 2009 the number of sacrificed animals increased by 4.6% compared to the same period of 2008 and by 3.6% compared to 2007, reaching a total of 7.588 million head.

Exports increased by 13 %. Last year Germany passed Denmark and became the second largest exporter of pig meat after the US.

The State Veterinary Medicine Committee has banned from September 29, 2009 the pig and pig product imports to Ukraine from Northern Ireland.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that producers may begin applying for benefits under the provisions of the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP).

An expected tight supply of pork in the coming holiday season amid low production has prompted the government, private traders and even hog raisers to agree to import an additional 20,000 metric tons (MT) this year.

The 25 biggest integrators and producers of swine livestock in the United States have reduced the number of breeders by around 200,000 head in just one year (-6%).

The Government of Argentina has approved of a process of subsidies for producers of swine livestock in need of assistance, due to the drought that is affecting the productive regions of the country.

The gross value of total Australian agricultural production increased 20 per cent from 2006-07 to $43.3 billion in 2007-08, according to new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Japan, the world’s largest pork importer, will purchase about 70,000 swine carcasses from local herds to boost prices after an economic slump cut consumption and sent stockpiles of the meat to the highest level in 20 years.

The Quebec government will spot the province's ag lending agency another $233 million for loans, partly to go toward a new round of advances for hog producers.

The nation’s top state agriculture officials have offered the federal government a new proposal, called “Meat the Need,” to help the nation’s embattled dairy and pork farmers.