1 April 2022

10 minute read

US pork, beef export sales down in latest week

USDA Thursday reported US pork net sales of 27,600 MT for 2022 were up 19 percent from the previous week, but down 14 percent from the prior 4-week average. Increases primarily for Mexico (14,300 MT, including decreases of 300 MT), Japan (4,000
MT, including decreases of 200 MT), South Korea (2,400 MT, including decreases of 500 MT), Canada (2,300 MT, including decreases of 700 MT), and the Dominican Republic (1,200 MT), were offset by reductions for Chile (300 MT) and El Salvador (100 MT). Exports of 30,600 MT were up 5 percent from the previous week and 8 percent from the prior 4-week average. The destinations were primarily to Mexico (13,200 MT), Japan (5,400 MT), China (3,500 MT), South Korea (2,900 MT), and Canada (1,600 MT).

US beef net sales of 23,000 MT for 2022 were down 17 percent from the previous week and 7 percent from the prior 4-week average. Increases primarily for China (7,100 MT, including decreases of 200 MT), Japan (5,300 MT, including decreases of 500 MT), South Korea (4,600 MT, including decreases of 700 MT), Taiwan (1,100 MT, including decreases of 200 MT), and Mexico (1,000 MT), were offset by reductions for Kuwait (100 MT). Exports of 20,400 MT were down 51 percent from the previous week and 11 percent from the prior 4-week average. The destinations were primarily to South Korea (6,500 MT), Japan (5,200 MT), China (3,100 MT), Taiwan (1,600 MT), and Mexico (900 MT).

Bird flu continues to spread, threatening U.S. chicken exports

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was discovered at a commercial poultry farm in Johnston County, North Carolina, and in backyard flocks in Massachusetts, North Dakota, Ohio and Wyoming, USDA said. Since mid-January, HPAI has been found in 23 states in flocks totaling nearly 17 million birds. Countries have been temporarily banning imports from U.S. states where bird flu is present as a result, according to USDA. Top buyers such as Mexico, China and Cuba could bring in less poultry following the discovery in North Carolina, a major producer of chicken and turkeys, said Jim Sumner, president of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council. Under the Organization for Animal Health (OIE), member countries are called on to not impose bans on international trade of poultry commodities in response to notifications in non-poultry or backyard flocks. However, some have opted to make such restrictions.

US chicken price-fixing prosecution ends in second mistrial; third trial planned

Jurors in Denver, Colorado deadlocked for the second time in the trial of 10 chicken company executives accused of price fixing, handing a significant setback to efforts by the U.S. Justice Department to police competition in food markets. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer ended the case Tuesday after jurors said they were unable to reach a verdict against the defendants, who worked for companies including Tyson Foods Inc., Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. and Perdue Farms LLC. The jurors deliberated for four days. In December, an earlier trial also ended in a deadlock. Chicken producers have been sued by buyers claiming anti-competitive practices. The Denver case was the first trial for a federal investigation targeting the biggest companies in the $95 billion chicken market. After the mistrial, a member of the prosecution team said the government plans to try the 10 defendants for a third time, according to three lawyers who were in the court room. The judge ordered the head of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division to travel to Denver next week to explain that decision, the lawyers said. A Department spokeswoman declined to comment on the mistrial.

Carl Icahn takes his pregnant pig campaign to Kroger

Carl Icahn, the activist investor who has been prodding McDonald’s over the treatment of pregnant pigs in its supply chain, also raised the issue at Kroger, where he has nominated two people to the national grocery chain’s board. Icahn told Kroger he was concerned about animal welfare. Kroger said it isn’t directly involved in raising or processing animals but it is committed to helping protect the welfare of animals in its supply chain. Icahn objects to pig producers using small crates for pregnant pigs, something Kroger said it expects its suppliers to stop doing by 2025. Icahn owns about 100 Kroger shares and met with Kroger for the first time on March 25 before submitting the names, Kroger said. Kroger’s average hourly wage is $17, which is up 25% over the past four years, it said. Icahn nominated Alexis C. Fox, an animal-rights activist, and Margarita Paláu-Hernández, an investor. Kroger said it would review the matter, adding its shareholder meeting hasn’t been scheduled.

USDA publishes origin of livestock final rule for organic dairy

The U.S. Department of Agriculture published the highly anticipated Origin of Livestock (OOL) final rule for organic dairy. This change to the USDA organic regulations will promote a fairer and more competitive market for all organic dairy producers, by making sure that certified USDA organic dairy products are produced to the same consistent standard.

“This action demonstrates the USDA’s strong commitment to America’s organic dairy farmers,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “The Origin of Livestock final rule provides clear and uniform standards about how and when livestock may be transitioned to organic dairy production, and how transitioned animals are managed within the organic dairy system. Now, all organic dairy livestock producers will have the confidence and certainty they are operating in a fair and competitive market.”

“Consumers of dairy that carry the USDA Certified Organic Seal can trust that those products meet their expectations for how organic dairy products are produced,” said Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “At the same time, the rule announced today also ensures new organic producers have a fair way to enter the market.”

USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) will oversee the new rule, which in general:

Allows a dairy livestock operation transitioning to organic, or starting a new organic farm, to transition non-organic animals one time.

Prohibits organic dairies from sourcing any transitioned animals. Once a dairy is certified organic, animals must be managed as organic from the last third of gestation. Variances may be requested by small businesses for specific scenarios.

USDA expects 2022 food prices to increase 4.5% to 5.5%

USDA expects food price inflation in 2022 to be from 4.5% to 5.5% based on the all food Consumer Price Index (CPI), up from their prior outlook food prices would be up 2.5% to 3.5% compared with 2021. Not a single category, or aggregate category now has a forecast that includes a potential decline.

The forecast for food away from home (restaurant) prices is for an increase of 5.5% to 6.5%, their third increase in as many months. Last month’s forecast was for a rise of 4% to 5%.

Food at home (grocery store) prices are now forecast to be up 3% to 4% in 2022, up from their previous forecast for an increase 2% to 3% from 2021 levels.

In 2021, grocery store prices increased 3.5% and restaurant prices were up 4.5%, with all food prices up 3.9% versus 2020 levels. The biggest increases in items tracked by USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) were the beef and veal category at 9.3% and the fresh vegetables category had the smallest rise of 1.1%.

The overall food price CPI rose 1% from January to February and was up 7.9% from February 2021. The restaurant CPI increased 0.4% in February 2022 and was 6.8% higher than February 2021. Meanwhile, grocery prices were up 1.4% from January while those prices stood 8.6% higher than they were in February 2021.

The increases versus year-ago marks were substantial for many categories, and all categories saw gains. Prices for meats, poultry, and fish were up 13.1% from February 2021 while they edged up 0.9% from January—following a more modest rise of 0.2% seen from December to January. Prices for meats were 14.0% higher than a year ago, while beef and veal prices gained 16.2% and pork prices were 14.0% higher. The CPI for meats rose 0.8% from January, with a rise of 0.5% for beef and veal while pork prices moved up 0.7%.

Hog diseases result in Mexico buying US pork at an unprecedented pace

The US is shipping record amounts of pork to Mexico as hog diseases are shrinking the Mexican hog herd. Outbreaks of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) have been killing pigs in Mexico. Some Mexican farmers are also shrinking herds because of high feed costs.

USDA weekly US dairy report

CME GROUP CASH MARKETS (3/25)
BUTTER: Grade AA closed at $2.7950. The weekly average for Grade AA is $2.7950 (+0.0690).

CHEESE: Barrels closed at $2.2500 and 40# blocks at $2.2750. The weekly average for barrels is $2.1750 (+0.1660) and blocks, $2.2205 (+0.1070).

NONFAT DRY MILK: Grade A closed at $1.8525. The weekly average for Grade A is $1.8650 (+0.0135).

DRY WHEY: Extra grade dry whey closed at $0.7200. The weekly average for dry whey is $0.7460 (-0.0130).

CHEESE HIGHLIGHTS: Cheese demand is noted as hearty in all regions. Until recent weeks, hesitant customers were awaiting potential downward pressure on prices. Now, they are actively seeking out cheese to refill pipelines, and get ahead of bullish price movements. Western suppliers are busily filling orders for Asian buyers, as domestic cheese prices remain a bargain to global values. Labor and hauling remain problematic, although cheesemakers who can run full (or near-full) schedules are busy. Milk remains available for Class III use, as prices are discounted for spot milk in the Midwest from $2 to $1.50 under Class. Last year's spot milk price range was $5 to $3 under Class III and 2020 prices reached as low as $6 under Class during week 12.

BUTTER HIGHLIGHTS: Butter makers say cream supplies are accessible, but availability is tightening. Cream demand is strong as output ramps up for ice cream and other cream-based seasonal products. Multiples are pushing upward, and some Eastern butter producers are opting to pause churns this week to sell cream. Butter production is generally busy in the Central and West regions. Some plant managers are working to grow butter inventories while others feel current supplies are satisfactory. Food service sales are steady to stronger. Retail orders are trending up, although some Central market participants relay lighter than anticipated demand at this point in the season. Across the country this week, bulk butter overages range from 7 to 17 cents above market.

FLUID MILK: Across much of the United States, milk production is increasing seasonally. However, when compared to last year, current milk production is not measuring up in many regions. Industry contacts suggest that steady volumes are clearing into Class III and IV. Bottling demand is steady to lower as numerous educational institutions are on their spring breaks. Some extra milk is available to move between plants, but the short supply of truck drivers and trucks makes it challenging to move milk out of the local area. Midwest Class III spot milk loads are priced at -2.00 to -1.50 below Class III. Condensed skim supplies are steady. Cream availability is getting tighter, and demand is mixed across the country and Classes. Cream multiples for all Classes are 1.26-1.40 in the East, 1.25-1.3450 in the Midwest, and 1.05-1.28 in the West

DRY PRODUCTS: The low/medium heat nonfat dry milk price ranges in the West and Central/East both contracted this week. Industry contacts say trading was limited, due to scarcity of supplies and quiet demand. NDM is a bit more available in the West. High heat NDM trading was quiet, with prices unchanged in the Central/East. The high heat price range narrowed in the West. Nationwide dry buttermilk prices shifted higher this week. Demand is picking up ahead of spring baking, but inventories are tight. The national dry whole milk price range is steady on light trading activity. Dry whey prices are steady to lower with increasingly available supplies. Prices for whey protein concentrate moved higher at the bottom of the range but were unchanged at the top of the range. End users are sending regular inquiries to suppliers, looking for available loads. Lactose prices are unchanged amid quiet spot trading. Both rennet and acid casein prices firmed at the bottom of the price ranges but remained steady at the top. Almost all current production is committed.

ORGANIC DAIRY MARKET NEWS: Federal Milk Marketing Order 1, covering the Northeast, reported that during February 2022, organic whole and reduced fat milk utilized by order pool plants were each lower than February 2021. The recent event of many smaller organic dairy producers in the Northeast being dropped by a processor has renewed widespread discussion of the challenge to organic dairy producers in finding processors to take their organic milk. The March 2022 in-store retail surveys of selected supermarkets in twenty-nine U.S. cities show the retail prices of organic whole milk in the half gallon container. The prices range from $3.24 in Detroit, MI to $6.29 in Pittsburg, PA. The simple average price for March 2022 is $4.02, up 11 cents from the previous month. This week, organic dairy retail store advertisements declined 32 percent. Organic milk ads decreased 22 percent.

When comparing the organic half gallon milk weighted average price, $4.61, to the $1.94 conventional half gallon milk weighted average price, the organic premium is $2.67.

NATIONAL RETAIL REPORT (DMN): Total conventional dairy advertisements increased 12 percent, while organic ads decreased 32 percent. Conventional ice cream, in 48-to-64-ounce containers, was the most advertised single dairy item. Conventional milk ad numbers increased 38 percent, while organic milk ad numbers declined by 22 percent. Total conventional yogurt ad numbers increased 12 percent, while organic ad numbers for yogurt decreased 29 percent.

TheCattleSite News Desk

IMPORTANT NOTE: I am not a futures broker and do not manage any trading accounts other than my own personal account. It is my goal to point out to you potential trading opportunities. However, it is up to you to: (1) decide when and if you want to initiate any traders and (2) determine the size of any trades you may initiate. Any trades I discuss are hypothetical in nature.

Here is what the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has said about futures trading (and I agree 100%): 1. Trading commodity futures and options is not for everyone. IT IS A VOLATILE, COMPLEX AND RISKY BUSINESS. Before you invest any money in futures or options contracts, you should consider your financial experience, goals and financial resources, and know how much you can afford to lose above and beyond your initial payment to a broker. You should understand commodity futures and options contracts and your obligations in entering into those contracts. You should understand your exposure to risk and other aspects of trading by thoroughly reviewing the risk disclosure documents your broker is required to give you.