Welcome to the MEAT Traders’ Journal

Market Movers & Shakers Intel

General Market Trends:

• Cereal Prices: Cereals have shown some firmness recently, though uncertainties remain due to a rise in premiums for the new season at the ports combined with a stronger US dollar against the euro, increasing the costs of deferred deliveries.

• Pork and Meat Prices: Prices for various types of meat, including pork, veal, and lamb, have been relatively stable despite pressures, such as reduced demand following Ramadan and the Easter holidays.

  This stability is largely due to a balanced supply-demand scenario across Europe.

Specific Commodity Insights:

• Pork Market: Pork prices have been stable across several markets in Europe despite the holiday season, which typically affects demand and supply dynamics.

• Barley Prices: National barley prices have remained unchanged, indicating a steady market.

• Livestock Weights: Slaughter weights, which had increased in the first half of April across several countries, are beginning to stabilize or decrease, reflecting adjustments in the market dynamics.

Trade and Export Developments:

• EU and New Zealand Trade Agreement: A significant development is the upcoming elimination of tariffs on pork imports into New Zealand starting May 1, 2024. This change is expected to enhance the competitive position of EU pork in the New Zealand market.

• Danish Crown's Strategy: Danish Crown plans to close another pig slaughterhouse, aligning with its strategy to adjust capacity to the reduced number of pigs and improve efficiency.

Economic Indicators:

• Consumer Prices: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for various food products, including meats, shows moderate increases, with pork prices seeing a slight rise month-on-month. This suggests a stable to slightly increasing trend in consumer prices for meat.

Implications for Stakeholders:

• Farmers and producers need to stay informed about market conditions, especially changes in trade policies and economic indicators like CPI, to adjust their production and marketing strategies.

• The upcoming trade policy changes with New Zealand could open new avenues for EU producers to expand their market share in pork exports.

Future Outlook:

• The market appears cautiously optimistic, with stable prices and a balanced supply-demand situation. However, external factors such as trade agreements and economic indicators will play a crucial role in shaping the market dynamics moving forward.

👩‍💻IoT in Food Tech: (Intro)

The Internet of Things (IoT) plays a diverse role in food technology processes within this billion-dollar market.

3 Types of IoT Applications in FoodTech

1. Smart Agriculture: IoT devices in agriculture monitor soil moisture, temperature, and humidity to enhance irrigation, prevent diseases, and improve crop yields.

2. Cold Chain Management: IoT sensors in the food industry track temperature and humidity in transport and storage to ensure the quality and freshness of perishable goods.

3. Inventory Management: IoT systems offer real-time insights into stock levels, expiration dates, and storage conditions, helping optimize inventory and reduce waste.

Key IoT Devised used in FoodTech

1. Sensors and Tracking Systems: Include temperature and humidity sensors to monitor conditions and prevent spoilage, GPS for tracking food product movement, and RFID tags for real-time inventory management.

2. Connected Appliances: Smart ovens and refrigerators optimize cooking and energy use, while automated packaging machines improve speed and accuracy.

3. Wearable Tech: Devices like smartwatches track health metrics such as calorie intake and physical activity.'

Possible Business Benefits of IoT in Food Tech.

IoT enhances food safety, reduces waste, and improves traceability and accountability throughout the supply chain.

For businesses of all sizes, it facilitates efficient inventory management, streamlined processes, and data-driven decisions.

Larger businesses gain from predictive maintenance and increased production efficiency.

Challenges in Implementing IoT

1. Initial Investment: High upfront costs can be a barrier. Smaller Firms need to seek investment.

2. Security of Data: Protecting the massive data generated by IoT devices requires robust security measures and it can be also costly.

3. Integration in Complex: Merging IoT technology with existing systems needs careful planning and expert help.

Next week….

• who should implement IoT?

• What companies do implement IoT?

These above are some of the questions that I will be answering in the next week newsletter.

Did you know? 🔖

According to the USDA's forecasts, the world's foremost pork-producing nations are anticipated to retain their significance and roles in production, global trade, and consumption, even though they are currently experiencing tough conditions.

Who are the TOP 10 Worldwide Producers?

Who are the TOP 10 Worldwide Exporters?

Who are the TOP 10 Worldwide Importers?

Chart 1. TOP 10 world producers of pork in 2024 has been Prepared by the Department of Economics and Market Intelligence of 333 Latin America with data from FAS – USDA.

Chart 2. TOP 10 world exporters of pork in 2024 has been Prepared by the Department of Economics and Market Intelligence of 333 Latin America with data from FAS – USDA.

Chart 3. TOP 10 importers of pork in 2024 has been Prepared by the Department of Economics and Market Intelligence of 333 Latin America with data from FAS – USDA.

As we can see in the charts, China, Europe and The United States will keep leading their position, but we need to acknowledge that Russia and Brasil have been moving forward and increasing their productions and slowly taking important market share in the global trade. This has been possible thanks to their low price offering of really big producers and the slow but non-stop growth of consumption worldwide.

One last thing…

We all know how challenging is to secure viable and trustful LEADS… wouldn’t you agree?

3 ways MTH can help when You are Ready:

✅Your Supply and Purchasing Advisor 1:1 (30 minutes Strategy Session)

✅I create win-win partnerships across the world

✅On-line/off-line Sales Training sessions to elevate your Global sales team