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Insider Guide to Pork, Beef, Chicken, Premium Meats and Beyond

Korean Market: Import Volumes go down like Korean temperature in Winter

Korean Imports have decreased this February when compared to January 2024.

Total Imports

• January 2024: Total imports were 37,577.2 tons.

• Total imports decreased to 36,877.29 tons.

• This indicates a slight decrease in total pork imports to South Korea from January 2024 to the following month.

Key Product Categories:

• Belly: There is a decrease of imports suggestion a reduction of demand with 12,198.01 tones being imported when compared to January with 13,454.59 tones.

• Picnic: Increase imports from 15,022.06 tons to 16,747.19 tons. The arrival of picnic and Shoulder 4D to Korea has been increased this February.

• Collar: There has been a decreased of imports as the pick of demand picked on December. Very similar numbers between January and February with 6,986.70 tons to 6,207.41 tons consecutively.

• Loin: Similar numbers from January and February imports with a slight reduction to 1,246.76 tons.

Top Exporting Countries

• United States: Remained the leading exporter.

• Germany and Spain: Spain exporting double than Germany in Belly. Germany and Chile has similar volumes coming in into South Korea.

• Canada and Spain lead the importing volumes of Collar to the country with around 2000 tones each country.

Summary of Changes

• There was a slight overall decrease in pork imports from January.

• Specific categories like pork belly saw a decrease, while picnic imports increased, indicating the need to secure product for the first 6 months in domestic processing plants.

• The decrease in collar and loin suggests that imported lack confidence to keep selling at high prices and expect a free fall due to high stock. At least until April 2024.

• Spain and Germany lead the imports with Belly and Spain and Germany lead the imports with Collar. Canada leads the imports of picnic.

Remarks

• Loin rib market is not recovering. High stock that is not being consumed, dumping and price fall since last November.

• Korean importers are not ready to absorb and pass on onto the supply chain the increase of pork price due to lack of worldwide supply.

• The processing market has been smashed by the intense purchase sprint of Japan for sheet belly. High prices has narrowed the Korean importers purchasing power. Korean importers are in danger of having to pay premium to secure product at the last moment.

Duroc Breed: The Crossbreeding Excellence

In the ever-evolving world of modern agriculture, the Duroc breed stands out as a key player in the enhancement of pork quality and production efficiency. Known for its distinctive red color and robust build, the Duroc pig has carved out a vital role in crossbreeding programs across the globe.

Let's explore its crossbreeding synergies with various pig breeds and the remarkable outcomes of these genetic alliances.

The art of crossbreeding Duroc pigs with other breeds is a strategic endeavor aimed at enhancing desirable traits such as meat quality, growth rate, and efficiency.

Here are some notable partnerships that underscore the breed's versatility:

• Large White/Landrace: In places like Australia, Duroc's cross with Large White/Landrace sows is a celebrated choice for bacon production. This particular crossbreed shines in the bacon trade, offering a perfect blend of quality and flavor.

• Iberian Pigs: For a taste of luxury, Duroc is matched with the finest Iberian strains, elevating the meat quality and flavor of high-end products like secreto, belly, and loin. This fusion is a testament to Duroc's ability to enhance the culinary attributes of pork.

• Yorkshire x Landrace F1 Females: The pairing of Duroc boars with Yorkshire x Landrace F1 females unlocks the full potential of heterosis, significantly improving the offspring's performance. This combination is a strategic move to boost productivity and efficiency in pork production.

• White Pig Breeds (e.g., Landrace, Large White, Pietrain): Duroc's crossbreeding with other white pig breeds results in meat that is not only of higher quality but also features enhanced marbling and flavor. This approach allows producers to cater to discerning palates and market demands.

Through these targeted crossbreeding efforts, Duroc enhances the genetic makeup of pig populations, addressing specific breeding goals and maximizing the desirable traits of the offspring. This strategic genetic interplay is key to achieving superior outcomes in pork production.

The Role of Duroc Boars in Enhancing Pork Production

Duroc boars are integral to crossbreeding programs, prized for their ability to impart durability, rapid growth, and exceptional muscle qualities to their progeny. Their genetic prowess ensures that Duroc crosses are not only suitable for the bacon trade but also competitive in carcass leanness and feed efficiency.

Interestingly, while Duroc crosses may not excel in breeding, but they can contribute significantly to the genetic diversity of crossbreeds without compromising fertility or productivity. In fact, up to 60% Duroc genetics can be incorporated into crosses, enhancing robustness and longevity in sow herds and contributing to the breed's adaptability and success in various pork production contexts.

Cross-breeding Duroc Impact

Cross-breeding Duroc with other pig breeds has a significant impact on the growth rate of pigs, offering several advantages:

1. Faster Growth: Duroc crosses exhibit faster growth rates compared to purebred pigs. Studies have shown that Duroc crosses grew significantly faster, with a 5% increase in growth rate, indicating their superior growth performance.

2. Feed Conversion Efficiency: Duroc crosses are more efficient converters of feed to carcass, with a 4% improvement in feed conversion efficiency. This efficiency contributes to better growth rates and overall productivity in pig production systems.

3. Leaner Meat: Crossbreeding Duroc with other breeds can lead to pigs with less backfat, resulting in leaner meat products. Duroc-sired pigs have been found to have less backfat than other three-breed cross pigs, indicating improved carcass composition and meat quality.

4. Genetic Diversity Benefits: Crossbreeding introduces genetic diversity, which can enhance growth rates and overall performance in pigs. By combining the genetic strengths of different breeds, farmers can achieve improved growth rates and efficiency in their pig production operations.

5. Superior Meat Quality: Duroc crosses are known for their superior meat quality, including marbling and taste. Crossbreeding with Duroc can enhance the meat characteristics of pigs, making them more desirable for consumers.

Overall, cross-breeding Duroc with other pig breeds positively the optimization of pig production systems in:

 ✅the growth rate of pigs by improving efficiency

✅promoting faster growth

✅enhancing meat quality

✅optimize performance in leveraging genetic diversity

Price and What to Expect

From price point of view, Duroc’s scarcity isn’t reflected in the over-inflated prices.

Advantages

• Excellent Meat Quality

• Easy to keep

• Fast grower

• Disease-resistant

• Simple to manage

• Use-case “meat-improver”

Disadvantages

• Gestion period is an average of 115 days and give birth to 8-12 piglets. The sow required special attention while pregnant.

• Stock supply limited

• Hard to remove hair

• Compared to other breeds, small litters

Unparalleled Breed

The Duroc breed's contribution to modern pork production is unparalleled, weaving a rich tapestry of genetic excellence, crossbreeding versatility, and technological advancement. By strategically partnering with various pig breeds, the Duroc has proven its mettle as a cornerstone of quality, efficiency, and flavor in the pork industry. As we continue to explore the potential of genetic innovation, the Duroc breed remains at the forefront, leading the charge towards a more sustainable and profitable future in pork production.

Check this out! Video.

Did you know…?🔍

The Fascinating Origin of Duroc Pigs

Duroc is an iconic breed that is rich in history as it is in flavor. Let’s discover the roots of this beloved swine breed that originated in the eastern parts of the United States, particularly around the fertile lands of the Corn Belt, back in the early 1800s.

The story begins with two main characters: The Old Duroc From New York and the Red Jersey from New Jersey. These two strains would eventually merge to create the breed we known and love today.

But how did it all start?

In 1823, a man named Isaac Frink got his hand on a striking red boar from Harry Kelsey. This wasn’t just any boar; it was likely a descendant of English pigs, ad it was so impressive that Frink named it Duroc after Kelsey’s renowned trotting horse. the duroc strain stood out for its smaller size, exceptional quality, and rapid growth rate, distinguishing itself from the later, slower-growing Jersey Reds.

Now, let’s add a twist here. There as whispers of an African connection to the Duroc’s origin. Some Speculate that these pigs could have been brough over from the Guinea Coast during the dark times of the slave trade. Other ponder i the Duroc’s distinct red hue might trace back to the Berkshire pig, which sported a rusty brown coat before transitioning to black. Yet, these theories remain shrouded in mystery, without concrete evidence.

The Duroc also benefitted from a sprinkle of Spanish and Portuguese influence, thanks to shoats imported around 1837. Despite these diverse contributions, the exact recipe for the Duroc Breed is a bit of a puzzle, as the ancestry records of these pigs are as hard to find as a needle in a haystack.

As the 19th century marched on, the Duroc and Jersey Reds started to intermingle, giving rise to the Duroc-Jersey Breed. Through selective breeding and a bit of agricultural magic, the modern Duroc breed emerged around the 1850s.

One last thing…

If you are aiming to strengthen your business foothold in the APAC Market in this areas:

• Market Expansion and helping with client Acquisition

• New Market Fit with product/specification development

• Sales Growth and Price Optimization with Market Intel

• Sales Training and objection ideation to gain new clients

There are 3 ways that Meat Trading Hub (MTH) can help you:

✅Your Supply and Purchasing Advisor - 1:1

✅I create win-win partnerships between you and strategic importers and/ or suppliers

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

Schedule a discovery call. Though times are coming and we all need to source and sell with better margins, right?

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