More African swine fever hits the Philippines. Reuters reports the disease has spread to two more provinces, with one under lockdown and the other having limited effects. 30-Thousand pigs have been culled so far in virus-hit areas. The Philippines first outbreak was declared on September 9th and they’ve had several reported cases since.
As ASF spreads across Asia and Europe, the USDA projects there will be global implications to the meat sector. Meatingplace.com reports, beef, poultry, and pork consumption will drop by 12 percent per person in China. Other Asian countries expect declines. USDA expects the Philippines pork production to fall, while chicken production and imports of pork and chicken to rise. South Korea isn’t expected to see major changes in its pork production, but Vietnam will face a 6-percent decline prompting higher chicken and pork imports.
Vietnam warns consumers its recent break in ASF cases won’t last and pork prices will continue to climb. Agricensus reports the government declares that the disease is under control and urges pig farmers to re-populate quickly ahead of the next year. Officials say there are no expected meat shortages however, the country culled over 5 million hogs. Some analysts say the virus is likely to return.
Pork prices remain high reaching 42-hundred-dollars per metric tons in regions that border China.
