A recent study for the Iowa Pork Producers Association highlights the pivotal role of Iowa’s pork industry in the state’s economy. As the nation’s top pork producer, Iowa contributes 33% of the U.S. hog inventory and supports over 120,000 jobs. In 2024 alone, the pork sector added $15.4 billion in economic value to Iowa, generating $8 billion in household income and $40.5 billion in total sales. The study was conducted by Decision Innovation Solutions (DIS) in 2024. Beyond economic benefits, Iowa’s pork industry emphasizes sustainability. Hog manure enriches soil, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, while the use of local feedstuffs bolsters efficiency. Iowa pig farms exemplify a self-sustaining agricultural model that supports local communities and strengthens the U.S. food supply chain.

World Farming Agriculture and Commodity news - Short update -13 January 2025

Germany has not identified any new cases of FMD, Agriculture Minister Cem Oezdemir announced, following the confirmation of the first case since 1988 in a herd of water buffalo near Berlin. Efforts are focused on controlling the outbreak, while Germany collaborates with European Union (EU) partners to maintain export markets for unaffected regions. Non-EU countries such as the U.S., Mexico, South Korea, and the UK have suspended imports of German livestock and related products as the investigation into the outbreak's origin continues.

— USDA implements import restrictions on German Animal Products in response to FMD outbreak. USDA took swift action in response to Germany's recent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, implementing significant import restrictions on livestock and animal products from the country.

• Livestock ban: USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has prohibited the import of German cattle, sheep, swine, and goats.
• Horse import procedures: Additional measures for horses, including pre- and post-import decontamination, have been put in place.
• Processed products: Processed pork and ruminant products arriving via cargo now require either an APHIS Veterinary Services import permit or certification of treatment meeting APHIS standards.
• Unprocessed products: Imports of unprocessed animal products from Germany are now banned, with limited exceptions.

The restrictions come in the wake of Germany's first FMD case in nearly 40 years, detected in a water buffalo herd near Berlin. This outbreak has significant implications for Germany's agricultural sector and international trade.

These measures are likely to disrupt Germany's meat and dairy exports, particularly those destined for markets outside the European Union. The loss of Germany's FMD-free status under World Organization for Animal Health guidelines has already led to export challenges, with countries like South Korea imposing immediate bans on German pork imports.

USDA's actions align with standard protocols for protecting domestic livestock from potential FMD introduction, highlighting the serious economic and agricultural risks associated with the disease.

— Germany faces export disruptions due to foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Germany’s recent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak has disrupted its exports. South Korea, its second-largest non-EU market after the UK, has suspended German pork imports, including 360 metric tons awaiting quarantine inspection. This decision follows Korea's prior resumption of German pork imports under a regionalization agreement addressing African Swine Fever, but presently Korea does not recognize EU regionalization for FMD. Last year Korea imported about 40,000 mt of pork from Germany, representing 7% of the imported pork market. Frozen pork belly made up the vast majority of these imports. Korea has recognized Brazil’s state of Santa Catarina as FMD-free without vaccination, allowing pork imports from that state. But it took many years to reach that agreement, and access is limited to a single Brazilian state.

According to the USMEF, globally, Germany exported 1.277 million metric tons of pork in 2024 (up 18% year-over-year), with 83% to the EU, 6.5% to the UK, and 3.6% to Korea. FMD clauses in export certificates have effectively halted German pork exports to third countries, including key markets like the UK, which imported 79,400 metric tons through October.

Germany remains the EU’s second-largest pork producer, with production reaching 3.553 million metric tons (up 2% YoY). While the EU allows regionalized movement within its borders, third-country export recovery hinges on regaining FMD-free status.

The U.S. imports minimal volumes of pork from Germany, totaling 238 mt through November and consisting only of prepared pork products.

Upshot: Efforts are underway to mitigate the outbreak's effects, including targeted vaccine development to control the pathogen's spread. German authorities are working to support the agricultural sector and prevent further disruptions. This underscores the need for regionalization agreements that would negate the ability to ban from a whole country.

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