China – imports of Brazilian beef soar in 2020

China imported almost 870,000t of Brazilian beef in 2020, which was up a massive 80% year on year. When beef imports to Hong Kong are included, beef imports from Brazil stood at almost 1.1m tonnes last year. China and Hong Kong now account for 70% of frozen beef exports from Brazil.

Argentina – cattle kill highest in over a decade

Argentina’s beef industry processed its highest number of cattle in a single year in over a decade during 2020. Argentina’s total cattle kill in 2020 stood at 14.2m head, which is the highest annual cattle kill in Argentina since 2009, when the annual kill hit 16m head.

US – wheat plantings increase for 2021

US farmers have planted 32m ha in wheat for the 2021 season, which is a 5% increase on wheat plantings last year. The USDA is also forecasting a US maize (corn) production to hit 360m tonnes in 2021, while soya bean production is pegged at just under 113m tonnes.

Russia – wheat production forecast higher

The forecast for Russian wheat production in 2021 has been increased above 85m tonnes by the USDA. However, recently introduced export taxes for wheat in Russia mean that Russian wheat exports are likely to be lower next year at circa 39m tonnes.