Meat production in Germany in 23023 decreased by 4% and consumption by 0.7%, to 51.6 kg of meat per capita, causing an increase in imports by 4.6%, the publication reported in Agrarheute line on April 25.
The Meat Industry Association (VDF) and the Federal Association of German Sausage and Ham Producers (BVWS) are alarmed by this situation. They believe Germany urgently needs to find a way to increase production at all levels: breeding, slaughter and processing. They cite decreased competitiveness with other countries as the reason for the decline in production.
Production is being affected by high energy and raw material prices, rising wages, along with labor shortages and export restrictions. The number of pigs and cattle is decreasing. Political uncertainty and regulatory pressure are driving farmers away from livestock farming.
BVWS President Sarah Dham stated: “The industry is calling for an end to the fuss, complexity and unnecessary bureaucracy that complicates our work in an already challenging market environment.”.
The associations criticize the idea of increasing the prices of animal products by increasing VAT or introducing an animal welfare tax, since there is no specific target for raising funds. Without long-term government contracts with producers to ensure that all the money reaches farmers, the tax will only further reduce livestock production in Germany.
The associations welcome the government’s efforts to recover markets lost due to African swine fever (ASF). South Korea allows the supply of pork from Germany from 2023, after three years of ban. Despite this, German pork exports to third countries fell by 22.5% last year. In 2022, the drop was significantly greater and amounted to 33%.
VDF President Martin Müller praised the recent negotiations between Agriculture Minister Cem Ozdemir and his Chinese counterpart. “An important boost has been given to negotiations between governments on the opening of the German pork market”“Muller said.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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