Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 4/9/19


African Swine Fever (ASF) has spread to China’s largest province, extending the outbreak of the fatal animal disease to 28 specific areas in China since the first reports of ASF were announced there in August 2018.

China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs reported two new outbreaks in the southwestern province of Yunnan and the northwestern region of Xinjiang, China’s largest province late last week. The announcement brings the total number outbreaks to 118 with about 1 million pigs being culled to stem the spread, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Efforts to slow down the spread of ASF – including limits on transportation of pigs, increased slaughterhouse inspections and other biosecurity programs – have not prevented more ASF infections, although there were fewer reports in April than in March, the agency reported.

The ASF news sparked a spike in lean hog futures prices last week as traders anticipated an increase in demand in China, already the world’s No. 1 pork buyer, according to a report from CNBC.

Meanwhile, negotiations between U.S. and Chinese officials aimed at settling several trade issues between the two nations ¬– including a scheduled hike in tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods ¬– are continuing.

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