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Global pork outlook: One step forward, two steps back

Pork producers around the globe should be watching out for a shift in protein consumption, lower feed availability and a rapid improvement in pork productivity for Q2 2023 and beyond. According to latest RaboResearch report, Global Pork Quarterly Q2 2023: Consumption in Focus as Pork Industry Plans for the Future, weaker economic growth is beginning to take a toll on pork consumption, not only in the United States, but overseas as well.

"We see persistently high retail prices limiting consumption of all proteins. Consumers continue to conserve capital by shifting everyday purchases to lower-value protein options, switching channels, and moving to smaller pack sizes," says Christine McCracken, senior analyst – Animal Protein at Rabobank and author of the report.

For many markets, the uptick in retail pork prices can be attributed to changing supply, but also increased labor and energy costs throughout the supply chain. Lower per capita income in several regions is expected to continue to impact purchasing decisions in 2023

McCracken notes the 2022 industry optimism, stemming from an upward shift in pork consumption (and prices) in some markets, and expectations of a 2023 recovery after the pandemic, contributed to the "planned supply growth in 2023"—a growth that will take time to ease.

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Advancing Swine Disease Traceability: USDA's No-Cost RFID Tag Program for Market Channels

Video: Advancing Swine Disease Traceability: USDA's No-Cost RFID Tag Program for Market Channels

On-demand webinar, hosted by the Meat Institute, experts from the USDA, National Pork Board (NPB) and Merck Animal Health introduced the no-cost 840 RFID tag program—a five-year initiative supported through African swine fever (ASF) preparedness efforts. Beginning in Fall 2025, eligible sow producers, exhibition swine owners and State Animal Health Officials can order USDA-funded RFID tags through Merck A2025-10_nimal Health.

NPB staff also highlighted an additional initiative, funded by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services through NPB, that helps reduce the cost of transitioning to RFID tags across the swine industry and strengthens national traceability efforts.

Topics Covered:

•USDA’s RFID tag initiative background and current traceability practices

•How to access and order no-cost 840 RFID tags

•Equipment support for tag readers and panels

•Implementation timelines for market and cull sow channels How RFID improves ASF preparedness an