According to preliminary statistics from the General Department of Customs, Vietnam's corn imports of all kinds in the first eight months of 2024 reached over 6.93 million tons, worth over 1.72 billion USD, with an average price of 247.4 USD/ton, up 29.5% in volume, up 0.07% in turnover, but down 22.8% in price compared to the first eight months of 2023.

Argentina was the largest corn supplier to Vietnam in the first eight months of 2024, accounting for 58.3% of the total volume and 57% of the total corn import turnover of the country, reaching over 4.04 million tons, equivalent to nearly 978.45 million USD.

Brazil ranked second in the first eight months of 2024, reaching nearly 1.79 million tons, equivalent to 453.89 million USD, priced at 253.9 USD/ton, accounting for 25.8% of the total volume and 26.5% of the total corn import turnover of the country.

Next is the Lao market, in the first eight months of 2024 it reached 74,589 tons, equivalent to 18.64 million USD, priced at 249.9 USD/ton, accounting for over 1% of the total volume and total corn import turnover of the country.

In the first half of 2024, EU pigmeat production went up by 1.7% year-on-year. The biggest increases were recorded in Poland with 77,000 t (+9%), in Hungary with 18,000 t (+8.3%), and in Germany with 18,000 t (+0.9%), although production declined in Spain by 5,000 t (0.2%). In the same period, fewer animals were slaughtered in Denmark, but average carcass weights increased (+17,000 t, +2.5% year-on-year). The increase in EU supply combined with limited demand led to a decline in domestic prices from May 2024, even though the average quotation remained significantly above the 5-year average. As both feed and piglet prices decreased, margins remained reasonably positive in the first half of the year. African swine fever outbreaks remain a risk for production. Overall, a production decrease of 0.5% is expected for 2024 and a further drop by another 0.2% for 2025 year-on-year.

Consumption has been stable so far in 2024, without the usual increase in the summer months. EU per capita consumption is expected to decrease further to 30.9 kg by year-end (-0.4% year-on-year). For 2025, EU per capita consumption is expected to stabilize at 30.9 kg year-on-year.

Less competitive EU pigmeat prices make exports to the global market a real challenge. In the first half of 2024, EU exports recorded a decline of 6% year-on-year, mainly to China (-27%). In addition, exports to the UK decreased in Jan-June (3% year-on-year). Strong price competition from Brazil and the US, created challenges for EU exports to some high-value markets (Japan, Australia), although there were gains in South Korea and lower-value markets such as the Philippines and Viet Nam. Overall. EU exports in 2024 could be down by 2.5% year-on-year. If the price gap between EU and international competitors continues to decrease, this could boost EU exports on the international market. Overall, for 2025 a decrease of 2% is expected year-on-year. With possible countervailing duties from China, pigmeat exports in 2025 could further decline. Total EU pigmeat imports were 53,711 t in Jan-June 2024 (+1% year-on-year). Imports from the UK account for about 2/3 of total EU pigmeat imports and decreased by 2.2% in the same period. At the same time, imports from Chile increased by 8,600 t (+173%) due to the new FTA between Chile and EU. However, with the expectation of a declining UK pigmeat demand in 2025, EU imports could decline by 2% in 2025.

The 2023 data indicate that U.S. sales and distribution of medically important antimicrobial drugs approved for use in food-producing animals decreased by 2% between 2022 and 2023. This represents a 37% decrease in sales since the sales peaked in 2015.

Medically important antimicrobial drugs approved for use in swine reached over 2.68 million kg in 2023, a similar volume to 2022 and down 14% from 2016.