World pork market shows little upside: Rabobank

Feb 01, 2016

Some improvements may come in Q2

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

The global pork market will remain weak through the first quarter of 2016, according to a new report from Rabobank.

Rabobank's Food & Agribusiness Research diviison does predict some improvement in Q2, it suggests that growth will be mostly seasonal.

"Sufficient supply and modest demand development mean the five-nation hog price index will bottom out in the coming months, at the lowest point since 2016," according to the Jan. 28 quarterly report.

The report explains that in the U.S., industry expansion should slow after near-record supply growth in 2015, while packers' margins will remain strong due to limited available capacity.

"Exports are expected to pick up, supported by low prices, COOL repeal and relisting of plants for export to China."

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.