Asian Agribiz Podcasts: Recent Episodes
Asian Agribiz
Interviews and Webinar style podcasts from a trusted and dedicated provider of news, information and market intelligence for the animal protein community throughout Asia.
Mycotoxin prevalence in feed samples in Asia is increasing. It is becoming commonplace to find more than one mycotoxin contaminating the feed. Asian Agribiz talks to Dr Sangita Jalukar of Arm & Hammer about why this might be so and the need to move beyond testing to actively deal with the massive challenge ahead of us.
In this podcast you will learn:
• Mycotoxin risks as the use of alternative ingredients rise.
• The impact of mycotoxins at a cellular level and its secondary effects on bird performance.
• Strategies to combat rising threats of mycotoxins in feed.
Several new and old players in the Indian poultry sector are investing in processing plants as they want to tap into the growing demand for chicken in India. Asian Agribiz talks to Alok Raj, Principal Consultant at Aptec Technology Consulting on growth in the industry and what pitfalls many must look out for when investing in processing.
In this podcast, you will learn: • The trend in poultry processing in India• Automation in processing • The challenges in starting a poultry processing plant in India • What the future of Indian processing looks like
Good news for Asian poultry markets keeps rolling in. In last week’s In Focus podcast, we heard Arief Fachrudin talk about the 30% growth projected for South and Southeast Asian poultry markets. This week, the Rabobank Poultry Quarterly talks of a positive story for poultry in the latter part of the year as markets in Southeast and South Asia show accelerated growth in poultry meat consumption and disciplined supply growth.
How will Asian chicken economies embrace this opportunity?
The poultry markets in South and Southeast Asia are growing, with growth projected at 30% between 2023-2030. The drivers behind this growth are the regions’ robust economic outlook, population expansion, and a shift in consumer preference, which together present a golden investment opportunity.
Interestingly, the growth is not only about volume, but also value. In most countries in the two regions, the processed meat market is growing at double digit rates.
This is largely due to modern distribution networks and platforms, such as fast-expanding food service offerings, online food sales, and modern retail. These advancements are creating fertile ground for value addition and branding strategies, while opening numerous opportunities for producers to expand and move downstream. To stay ahead in this dynamic market, it is crucial to adapt and innovate.
Eggs can come into contact with bacteria such as Salmonella during the laying process or via environmental sources such as feces or feathers. Therefore, egg washing reduces the risk of contamination and makes eggs safe for consumption.
Although egg washing is not a common practice worldwide yet, Paul Buisman, Head of Innovation at Moba, tells Asian Agribiz that he believes this will be trending in Asia. In this podcast, he discusses the reasons, drawing on his extensive experience and knowledge in the field.
He also explains factors influencing the decision to wash or not to wash eggs and offers solutions from Moba for egg washing.
With caution, producers in the region are adopting generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) for better productivity, efficiency, and animal health. Considering the many benefits of the package, it is reasonable to say that Gen AI is here to stay.
Industry suppliers have also been active in innovations to help producers ride this tide and grow profitably. Our team has discovered many novel inventions at exhibitions and in interviews with professionals. These enhance accuracy, improve efficiency, and elevate productivity across the value chain.
Interest in crate-free gestation, or sow group housing, has increased recently due to animal welfare concerns. In Southeast Asia, most gestating sows are still confined in stalls that limit their movement during pregnancy. However, some key regional producers have already started converting parts of their operations to sow group housing. Asian Agribiz speaks with Nigel Godde, Director of Sales for Big Dutchman Asia, to learn more about crate-free gestation systems and their viability in the region.
The May 2024 Chief Economists Outlook, which explores key trends in the global economy, was launched last week amid a mood of cautious optimism tempered by uncertainty about geopolitical and domestic political developments. The latest results indicate growing business challenges despite a positive near-term growth outlook. However, the long-term prospects are encouraging. We recently observed a similar climate of cautious optimism at Ildex Vietnam and Thaifex-Anuga. Innovation and solutions are at a high point, but are producers investing?
Doug Korver, Professor Emeritus at the University of Alberta and President of Alpine Poultry Nutrition Inc in Canada, is doing a study on layers that are kept longer. As these are high producing birds and are relatively small, the practice puts pressure on their skeletal system and shell quality.
In this podcast, Dr Korver discusses with Asian Agribiz the nutritional interventions for these birds, including calcium and phosphorus supply, enzymes, and the physiology and bone biology as they go through a long production cycle.
India, a distinct entity within Asia, likely accounts for the region’s largest workforce, which is steadily seeing upward economic mobility. The country accounted for 4% of global GDP growth between 1991 and 2021. As the Indian economy advances, the demand for food production, convenience, and flavor is on the rise. Producers are not just keeping up but also confidently aligning with consumer trends, leading to improvements across the board.
Demand for duck meat in Indonesia has surged over the past decade and continues to grow annually, but the production system is struggling to keep up.
In this second podcast with Dr Hardi Prasetyo, a consultant for duck breeding companies in Indonesia, learn about:
• his insights on the duck meat industry in Indonesia
• the challenges facing the industry
• his recommendations for duck meat producers on developing their business.
Anticipating and responding to consumer demands is always challenging, especially in the fast-changing retail environment. However, recent financial reports show that Asian animal protein producers have certainly been responsive to market desires. Some healthy figures emerge after what seems like a ‘long Covid’ of earnings. Generally, across the region, from Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia to India and Sri Lanka, we have positive earnings, leading also to investment in growth.
Some countries rely heavily on imported food and raw materials to grow food locally. With supply chain and climate change-related disruptions, real-time solutions need to be explored and implemented. Rupert Claxton, Meat and Livestock Director at Girafood highlights the problems and solutions for this by addressing the following: 1) Examples of Asian countries at risk of food security. 2) How can they navigate supply chain and climate-related disruptions. 3) Collaborative efforts that governments can embark on within the region. 4) What would be the basis of strengthening food security?
ChatGPT threw up an extensive menu of factors, many of which are already underway among the progressive producers in Asia. Low-impact livestock management that reduces greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), such as optimized feeding practices and manure management, was cited as crucial. Reducing waste by utilizing by-products and minimizing food waste through better processing techniques and packaging solutions is also crucial. From managing waste, adopting alternative energy sources to ethical and healthy products, the list goes on.
The industry generally looks to CP Foods as a benchmark. It has reduced food loss, repurposed food waste, and byproducts into valuable resources such as feed, fertilizer, and alternative energy. It has implemented various initiatives to reduce food loss by enhancing the efficiency of machinery and equipment.
Indonesia’s layer duck industry has the potential to grow since the per capita consumption of eggs remains low. However, only a few are investing in breeding and production.
Asian Agribiz speaks with Dr Hardi Prasetyo, a consultant for duck breeding companies in Indonesia, about the industry's status and future opportunities.
In this podcast, he discusses:
• the industry's growth potential;• the available layer duck strains;• factors to consider in raising layer ducks;• challenges encountered by the industry.
High temperatures have been the trending topic on our website, with reports coming in from across South and Southeast Asia.
Temperatures in the northern Indian Ocean are the highest on record (above 40 degrees). El Niño peaked over the winter, boosting temperatures on top of the sustained background warming from climate change.
ood security remains a critical issue for Asean nations as uncertainties grow, populations rise, and climate change intensifies. To address this challenge, each government needs to develop targeted policies.
Asian Agribiz talks to Dr Pushpanathan Sundram, CEO of Public Policy Asia Advisors in Singapore, to explore potential solutions. Tune in to the podcast to gain insights into:
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The current food security situation across Asean
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Strategies for tackling the multifaceted challenges
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How sustainable agriculture and technological advancements can help achieve food security goals
ood security remains a critical issue for Asean nations as uncertainties grow, populations rise, and climate change intensifies. To address this challenge, each government needs to develop targeted policies.
Asian Agribiz talks to Dr Pushpanathan Sundram, CEO of Public Policy Asia Advisors in Singapore, to explore potential solutions. Tune in to the podcast to gain insights into:
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The current food security situation across Asean
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Strategies for tackling the multifaceted challenges
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How sustainable agriculture and technological advancements can help achieve food security goals
Explore what value you can tap into at Asian Agribiz’s 2024 Pig Feed Quality Conference, which will spotlight and dive deep into critical challenges facing the Asian industry. Of particular interest would be Innovad’s trial that assessed the protective efficacy of an immune-boosting complex mix against experimentally ASFv-challenged pigs, mitigating the devastating impact of ASF on global swine production. The conference will culminate in a live event in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Also, discover how companies in the animal protein industry are progressing, whether through acquisitions, IPOs, or divesting of loss-making operations.
Gut health and moving away from AGP is a broiler research project that Doug Korver, Professor Emeritus at the University of Alberta and President of Alpine Poultry Nutrition in Canada, and his team are undertaking. They developed a necrotic enteritis challenge model, which is a natural exposure model that mimics the normal development of the disease. Asian Agribiz talks to Dr Korver about how they are trying to control the subclinical type of the disease and use the model to assess different candidates for antibiotic replacement.
Tectonic shifts seem to be a thing of the past in the Asian animal protein industry. The focus now appears to rest on profitability and market demand amid a tight economic situation. Tracking popular news on our website, poultry topics dominate. Japfa Comfeed Indonesia's strategic adjustments to its sales paradigm caught the interest of many, as did Thailand’s flexible and quickly adaptive services to satisfy customer demand. In Sri Lanka, the broiler market is expanding fast, with DOC production increasing beyond pre-Covid levels. But all is not well with the Asian layer sector.
Transportation biosecurity is paramount for safeguarding the health and safety of livestock and poultry during transit. It involves implementing measures to prevent the introduction and spread of infectious diseases among animals and into farms. Yet, it frequently gets overlooked within biosecurity initiatives.
Mike Button, a global consultant in veterinary health, delves into transportation biosecurity, its challenges and ramifications, and offers insights on enhancing consistent implementation for producers.
Falling raw material prices helped ease business for Asia’s feed industry in the second half of 2023. While global feed production dipped last year, Asia Pacific saw a 1.4% growth.
Most poultry and livestock industries in the region are expected to grow this year, meaning higher feed demand.
However, growing geopolitical tensions, climate change, and government regulations will continue to pose challenges, making it imperative for companies to remain vigilant and adaptive in their strategies.
However, challenges are a given in any industry, and the feed business is no exception. However, with such an integral role in food production, feed producers can remain secure in their business if they are willing to evolve with it.
Vietnam’s livestock industry has undergone a significant level of specialization, but the slaughtering subsegment seems to lag behind. Michael Patching, CEO at Alta Food and Agriculture, suggests prioritizing worker training programs to improve meat processing standards. Currently, Vietnam lacks such courses, but companies can look beyond the country or partner with equipment suppliers and professional trainers for necessary training.
Porcine circovirus (PCV) is a widespread virus globally. While PCV1 has long been known as a common contaminant in laboratory cell cultures, it is generally non-pathogenic. However, the emergence of PCV2 has led to the postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome, affecting pig populations worldwide.
Asian Agribiz speaks with Dr Roman Krejci, Veterinary Services Manager for Swine Vaccines at Ceva Santé Animale, about PCV prevention and control strategies.
In this podcast, he discusses:
• the current status of PCV infections in Southeast Asia;
• how is PCV2 diagnosed;
• the current vaccine development; and
• the challenges in dealing with the disease outbreak
Experts have suggested that broiler producers in Indonesia do what CP, Japfa, and Malindo do: invest in a vertically integrated operation to optimize cost efficiency along the supply chain and survive in the long run.
This message has been reverberating for years and is frequently offered as the solution when the industry suffers oversupply and poor prices. A huge investment is a major limitation for many producers.
Systematic culling of male chicks is common in many poultry-producing countries. This is done since male chicks are considered redundant. However, in recent years, the practice has been frowned upon as cruel and unnecessary. In Europe, some countries have begun phasing out this practice, citing animal welfare concerns.
One technology that can help achieve this is in-ovo sexing, which will allow hatcheries to identify and remove male chick embryos before they are hatched. Martin Enderink, Global Sales Director at In Ovo, talks with Asian Agribiz about this technology, its advantages, and how it can be a cost-effective measure for hatcheries.
This week, we have the pig industry in focus with some developmental news, despite lackluster demand, supply constraints, and price pressures. We see a new GGP farm surface in Sri Lanka and post-ASF repopulation in Malaysia progressing well. Pork remains the dominant meat in Vietnam, accounting for over 62% of the country’s total meat output. According to the Department of Livestock Production, pork production in 2024 will rise by 4% to reach 4.9mt. Meanwhile, the Philippines continues to bank on imports.
Asian governments say that broiler feeds should have a minimum crude protein level to ensure quality. In this podcast with animal nutritionist Dr Budi Tangendjaja, Asian Agribiz digs deeper into the background of the regulation, the impact if we keep using minimum levels, and why industry players are now formulating broiler feeds based on digestible amino acids rather than crude protein. In the last part of this podcast, Dr Tangendjaja also shares some constructive suggestions for governments in the region.
Generative AI (artificial intelligence), still in its infancy, is moving all industry sectors forward at a fast but uncertain pace. Yet, it leaves an indelible mark on operational efficiency, mainly through automation monitoring, output consistency, waste reduction, and increased yield. Digitalizing operations with smart farming is already gaining traction, as is making sense of the data generated. Producers realize they can make quick and effective decisions with AI, real-time tracking, IoT sensors, and software, contributing to efficiency, productivity, sustainability, and profitability improvements.
When it comes to animal welfare, small details like lighting can influence how birds behave and perform. Asian Agribiz quizzed Kim Hendrix, Product Manager of Hato Agricultural Lighting, about professional lighting for poultry and learned that:
1) Birds perceive light differently from humans, and farmers must put themselves inside the barn to understand this and their birds.
2) Though conventional fluorescent lights may seem cost-effective, they are not recommended because their flickering may adversely affect the birds.
3) In the long run, conventional lighting can lead to negative behavior like pecking or fighting and disrupted feed/water intake, hurting performance.
4) Professional lighting is designed for bird welfare and enhances bird behavior and performance, improving their ROI.
5) Professional lighting can be adapted according to stages, controlled properly, and is energy efficient, offering cost-savings.
One of the most interesting things that happened in the food processing industry post-Covid is the growth in demand for frozen food. It allows shelf-stability and offers better reach and accessibility to consumers, and for businesses vying for import dollars. Frozen food has given rise to the development of a cold chain management system, storage facilities, freezing equipment, and other related solutions.
The Indian piggery sector has received much attention in recent years as the government has turned its attention towards this neglected sector. Asian Agribiz talks to Dr C P Gopakumar, Managing Director at DLG Farms, to understand the history of the industry and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
In this podcast you will learn about the: • The nature of the Indian piggery sector • Challenges and opportunities in commercial piggery • The trends in pork consumption among Indian youth
With continued fractures in the global food space, we see production costs and the ensuing cost of goods weighing in on consumer purchase decisions. Still, there are green shoots to consider within meat production and retail. We see winners and losers in exploring changing consumer needs and how meat producers are keeping in step. There is a pivot among Japanese consumers from premium meat like beef to more affordable chicken. This could be a trend across the rest of Asia as producers ramp up capacity expansion and processing.
This week we celebrated ‘Protein Day’ in South Asia, aimed at educating more consumers on the importance of eating protein in their daily diets. South Asia, with a vast population, lags in meat and egg consumption, and change has been slow for many years. In 2020, the average daily meat consumption per person was below 40g in the region, and per capita egg consumption in the year was less than 4kg.
So can we increase consumption by keeping these proteins affordable?
Meat quality is critical for both producers and consumers. Factors like genetics, nutrition, and management during production and processing all contribute to quality. Asian Agribiztalks to Dr Chaiyapoom Bunchasak, Nutritionist and Professor at the Department of Animal Science at Kasetsart University in Thailand how to enhance meat quality with proper feed formulation.
In this podcast you will learn about: • meat quality preferences in Asia • nutritional modification to improve meat quality • importance of ingredient quality • how to address boar taint • proper pH level
The pig industry in Asia has been hard at work, striving to get back on its feet and reach pre-pandemic levels of output. Year-long price fluctuations have shadowed producers, leading to downsizing and fewer players. Despite rising demand, consumption remains weak amid hope that prices will bounce back in 2024. Vietnam expects prices to rebound and demand to recover this year. Elsewhere, in a bid to urge consumption producers and retailers are exploring untapped segments with potential for growth.
As tensions in the Red Sea impact movement of goods to and from Europe, Asian Agribiz talks to Mohammed Al-Ansare, Senior Pricing Specialist and Melvin Kwok, Agriculture Specialist from S&P Global Commodity Insights on how this would impact grain flow to Asia. Mr Al-Ansare also takes a deep dive into what to expect in the shipping markets going forward as the crisis drags on.
In this podcast you will learn about:• market trends in container prices as the Red Sea heats up • how Asia is buying grains and what impacts it is facing with the crisis • key predictions on grain shipping markets in the next few months
The Lunar Year of the Dragon is predicted to bring good fortune to livestock industries globally. But staying positive is a task indeed with all the challenges the industry must contend with. For instance, in the past, an election year in Indonesia would boost chicken meat consumption significantly and reign in good prices. But this has not been the case with a lot of online campaigning. Then, there are disease issues to be wary of. Recent reports about avian influenza in Laos and Cambodia have raised fears of a more widespread outbreak in the region. On a brighter note, the Indian poultry industry expects 8-9% growth this year, fueled by rising consumer demand, particularly for processed chicken, with rapid expansion of fast-food chains.
When feed producers develop formulations with the intention of reducing in-feed antibiotics, they need to ensure the optimization of the ingredients to support animal health. Kurt Wegleitner, Managing Director, and Waraporn Kraitavin - Regional Technical Support Manager at Phytobiotics Futterzusatzstoffe GmbH, shared with Asian Agribiz that phytobiotics are a proven and feasible solution. With clear plant material designs for specific animal health aspects backed by scientific facts, the results can be rewarding, realizing good performance without AGP.
Good hatchery management is crucial to produce high-quality chicks and to maximize hatch rates and ensure successful in-ovo vaccination.
Asian Agribiz speaks with Gerd de Lange, Senior Poultry Specialist at Royal Pas Reform, about how in-ovo vaccination works for effective vaccine delivery.
In this podcast, he discusses:
• advantages of in-ovo vaccination• vaccine administration• the reasons why in-ovo vaccination might fail, and• the hatchery management strategies recommended by Pas Reform.
China is on a mission to widen its network of high-standard free trade agreements in 2024. No surprise that Asean and chosen Asian countries are tipped as favored partners in this exercise. Already Asia is being touted as the furnace in which a new era is forged. The region accounts for 57% of global GDP growth, 64% of patent generation, and more than half of global middle-class households. It is becoming a shaper of the new rules for the world. What does this mean for the animal protein sector? We see China playing a central role amid a rush into its lucrative meat market.
Purchasing or formulating broiler feed diets based on crude protein content is an outdated concept, says Matthew Clark, Director, FeedGuys Resources, Malaysia. Mr Clark who will lead Asian Agribiz’s Broiler Feed Quality Conference on February 21, will discuss how new concepts of measuring amino acid composition will be both useful for the bird as well as the wallet. Listen to this to know what to expect at the Conference this year.
Soybean meal (sbm) is the main source of plant-based protein that contains all the essential amino acids necessary to maximize animal growth and development. However, when ordinary sbm is used in starter feed, young animals have difficulty digesting it because of its anti-nutritional factors (ANFs).
In this podcast, Dr Glenn Ferriol, Area Manager - Indonesia, Malaysia & Philippines at Hamlet Protein, discusses what ANFs are, the harm they cause to animals, and strategies to minimize or remove them in young animal diets.
Food safety is not an individual concern. It involves all stakeholders from processors to consumers. The World Health Organization’s Framework for Action on Food Safety for the Southeast Asia Region says unsafe food undermines food and nutritional security, human development, and international trade. The report cited food safety challenges such as adulteration, microbiological, chemical, and radioactive contamination. Food safety is complex as it should be monitored from primary production to consumption level, where contamination may occur anytime and anywhere across the food-chain.
Having a blended Broiler Feed Quality Conference (BFQC) allows Asian Agribiz to offer broiler industry professionals better ways to remain updated on critical developments. Conference Chairman David Faulkner explained that Asian Agribiz has, over time, developed a vast network of experts worldwide, and can bring them together to discuss topics crucial for the industry.
The blended sessions allow participants to download slides from the prerecorded technical sessions online and watch the video on-demand for six months post-conference. Meanwhile, the live sessions provide a venue to discuss and debate the technical topics. This year’s BFQC has three prerecorded sessions—Moving beyond crude protein-based diets, led by Matthew Clark of FeedGuys Resources; Optimizing calcium and phosphorus in lower protein broiler diets, led by Peter Chrystal of Aviagen Asia Pacific; and Strategies and tools to help you analyze new science and products, led by Prof Mingan Choct of the Poultry Research Foundation University of Sydney.
The online sessions will stream on three consecutive Wednesdays (February 21, 28, & March 6) followed by the two-day live conference in The Landmark Bangkok on March 13-14. Click here for more information and to register.
Each feed ingredient has pros and cons when used in aquafeed formulation. DDGS stands out due to its high protein content, well-balanced essential amino acids, and lack of anti-nutritional factors.
Asian Agribiz talks with Dr Romi Novriadi, Vice Chairman of Indonesia’s Aquaculture Society and lecturer at the Jakarta Technical University of Fisheries on why DDGS is a viable alternative shrimp feed ingredient.
In this podcast, he discusses:
• the properties of DDGS as an alternative ingredient for shrimp feed;
• the challenges facing the aquafeed industry; and
• the industry’s expectations in the future.
Shipping is once again experiencing disruption, this time because of escalating turmoil in the Red Sea. With large freighters, especially from Europe, forced to use a much longer alternative route, freight charges are once again escalating. Already we see the challenges and added costs it has created in shipping equipment to Indonesia. Asian producers also import farming equipment, feed additives and supplements, and animal protein products from Europe. The Red Sea is a crucial area in global shipping. Elizabeth Thang of S&P Global told Asian Agribiz the recent tensions spiked container prices from USD 1500/ton on December 21 to USD 6000/ton on January 10.
Producers wanting to meet the demand of younger consumers for different types of sausages do not need extra equipment. Attagorn Pongthep, General Manager of Handtmann Thailand, explains to Asian Agribiz how co-extrusion technology allows producers to:
1) Offer sausages with viscous fillings like cheese and sauces.
2) Acquire new market share.
3) Create new opportunities for developing, designing, and marketing innovative meat, cheese, fish, vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and halal products.
4) Have excellent potential to broaden their product range efficiently.
How has 2024 launched for you? As much as industry leaders foretell significant disruption across the agriculture value chain in the next two years, it does not seem different from the last two years. What is obvious though is that animal protein producers that have survived the trauma of the past, have grown in resilience. This strength then holds them in good stead to navigate growing populations in Asia alongside demand for nutrition, severe weather events as a result of climate change, and adoption of new food production systems that help reduce waste and embrace environmentally friendly production.
As farmers focus on lowering production costs, and feed makers are challenged with labels that meet regulations, home mixing appears to resolve both. However, home-mixers may face challenges such as technology, knowledge of animal nutrition, and extra investment in processing equipment as they pursue this idea. Matthew Clark, Director of FeedGuys Resources shares that home mixing can be simple. With some operational adjustments, training, and initial investment, the results can be rewarding with significant savings.
Infectious Laryngotracheitis which is a highly contagious upper respiratory tract disease in chickens often opens door to other illnesses once it infects a flock. Asian Agribiz talks to Dr K S Prajapati Retired Professor from the College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry in Anand, India on why this particular disease is hard to control and vaccinate for.
In this podcast you will learn:• What to lookout for when ILT is around the corner • How do avoid disease spread• The best ways to vaccinate or avoid the disease altogether.
In a flash, we have reached the end of 2023, a year of progress with numerous challenges to boot. In this episode Arief Fachrudin, Isa Tan, Zahrah Imtiaz and Rajeswari Ramanee, offer insights into what 2024 holds for the poultry, pork, feed, and meat sectors in Asia. Do download our latest White Paper to follow what’s ahead for the animal protein sector in 2024.
From all of us at Asian Agribiz, we wish you less hurdles and more progress in 2024. Happy New Year!
The Northern Soy Marketing (NSM) Board in the US, conducted a study on Southeast Asia to look at what matters to buyers most when it comes to soybean purchasing. A key outcome of the research was the knowledge people had on the usage of essential amino acids and critical amino acid value metrics when formulating poultry diets. Asian Agribiz talks to Seth Naeve, Prof at the University of Minnesota and Prof Bob Swick, Adjunct Professor of Poultry Nutrition with Poultry Hub Australia, to understand why these metrics can make a difference in the quality of soybeans you buy and what it means for better poultry nutrition.
In this podcast you will learn:
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• Why the critical amino acid value in soybeans is important for poultry diet formulation,
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• Why digestible amino acid values are more important than crude protein values when formulating diets,
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• How to purchase the best soybeans for poultry diets.
As 2023 draws to a close, we see the Asian animal protein industry moving towards growth and progress, although at a slower pace. Key markets like Thailand, Indonesia and India have seen progress and rising exports particularly with shrimp and chicken. Challenges prevail in the pork sector, but prices are trending upwards. In Indonesia, Japfa Comfeed has realized more feed exports, while other processors are eyeing growing profits. Indian producers are seeing expansion and growth like never before.
Asean’s first cage-free training center is up and running in Jogjakarta, Indonesia. Asian Agribiz talks to Jayasimha Nuggehalli, COO of Global Food Partners (GFP), about the new center, on:
• The reason for choosing Indonesia as the location • Partners and their contributions to the center • Programs offered at the center • Ultimate goals of the center
It has been an interesting week for the climate as well as agriculture as world leaders met in Dubai to navigate the world at 1.5 degrees. The COP28 summit announced that 134 world leaders have signed up to its landmark agriculture, food and climate action declaration. Over USD$2.5 billion in funding will be mobilized to support food security while combatting climate change.
How will this affect livestock producers in Asia?
Hyderabad in India was abuzz with activity and discussions on the future and potential of livestock agriculture in the country at Poultry India 2023 which closed on November 24, with a strong degree of optimism. India is one of the world’s largest and most diversified food producers, and agriculture contributes more than 20% of the country’s income. By 2030, agriculture could contribute around USD 600 billion to India’s GDP, an increase of 50% over 2020, but it needs to modernize and lift productivity and efficiency. It was heartening to see a slew of solutions centered on feed, farm, and processing.
The global plant-based alternative protein market is growing annually. New companies are finding solutions to create alternatives to beef, chicken, pork, and even seafood. This phenomenon is also happening in Indonesia, where people are concerned about alternative protein that can impact their health.
Widya Putra, CEO of Meatless Kingdom, an Indonesian plant-based meat producer, discusses his journey in this industry and its prospects.
In this podcast with Asian Agribiz, he discusses:• The Indonesian market for alternative protein• How to introduce products to the market?• What are the challenges faced?• Future market opportunities
Would you label yourself a ‘zero consumer’ or do you know who a zero consumer is? Producers are quite aware of changing consumer habits, behavior and demands and how this has disrupted traditional ways of doing business. How do we frame a zero consumer? They are comfortable with omnichannel shopping, save and splurge at the same time, are conscious about health and sustainability, and will switch brands easily if they are not satisfied with what one producer offers. Are producers in Asia keeping in step with these changing consumer patterns? With Asia’s dynamic and growing consumer base, Asian Agribiz nods a big YES to this.
The feed industry, crucial to animal protein production, is awash with challenges but shows resilience. Reliance on imported raw materials and diseases facing the local livestock and poultry industry continue to impact it, but growth opportunities exist. Import reliance and disease issues impact it, yet growth opportunities exist. Despite these obstacles, low per capita protein consumption suggests future meat demand growth, where the feed industry will play a critical role. Fortunately, it is poised to meet this challenge.
The animal protein industry is fraught with diseases. With the increasing push to reduce antibiotic use, disease management has become even more challenging.
In this podcast with Asian Agribiz, Mary Grace Alba delves into the crucial role of vaccination in preventing and controlling diseases. Dr Alba shares insights on the importance of vaccination, strategies for crafting effective vaccination programs, and how it aids producers in meeting demands for less antibiotic use in production.
Last week Singapore’s Temasek, PWC, Rabobank and Terrascope unveiled the Asia Food Challenge report themed Decarbonizing the Agrifood Value Chain in Asia. This area has been in focus for the animal protein industry in Asia as we modernize and grow. The report states that Asia accounts for 42% of all agrifood emissions globally, with Southeast and South Asia registering 50% and 45% respectively. There are technologies available across the value chain that boost efficiency and productivity. Adoption could contribute to a 12% reduction in GHG emissions in Asia’s agrifood sector by 2030. Are we up for the challenge?
For the third streamed session of Asian Agribiz’s 2023 Layer Feed Quality Conference on November 21, Xabier Arbe Ugalde of H&N International will lead the topic of ‘Accurate feed formulation for targeted egg production’.
This session aims to help layer farmers and egg producers maximize production efficiency through accurate feed formulation and stay profitable amid this challenging time.
Click here for more information and to register.
The second session of Asian Agribiz’s 2023 Layer Feed Quality Conference, streaming on November 14, will focus on ‘Innovation in heat stress management’.
He says heat stress continues to be a key concern in Asia, especially with the increasing average temperature that has drastically affected how birds are produced. This is especially true for layers, which have a long productive life.
This session aims to help layer farmers and egg producers in mitigating heat stress through innovative production practices and nutrition.
Click here for more information and to register.
The pig industry in Asia is coming alive again, with producers seeing better prices, fewer disease outbreaks and lower feed prices. Add to this matrix, better technology and genetics and we can predict an uptrend. Live pig price in Thailand is up but producers are competing in a tougher environment, where new cutting plants and slaughterhouses are rising alongside expanding retail chains. In Vietnam, pork production for 2024 is expected to rise by 5% to 3.7mt, thanks to recovering domestic demand, and increased efficiency, while the Philippines has also seen a rise in inventory.
The first session of Asian Agribiz’s 2023 Layer Feed Quality Conference, streaming on November 7, will focus on ‘Understanding and managing the changing needs of the pullet, and will be led by Dr Doug Korver, Professor Emeritus at the University of Alberta, Canada, and Consultant at Alpine Poultry Nutrition Inc.
Dr Korver says that as production cycles become longer, the foundation producers set for pullet management is crucial. Any success in the layer will be due to the correct management of rearing from the beginning.
This session aims to help layer farmers and egg producers address issues in pullet management.
Click here (https://www.asian-agribiz.com/conferences/lfqc/) for more information and to register.
The confluence of pockets of crisis across the globe is once again raising alarm bells across the region. They may appear remote, but the question of how they will affect trade and supply chains lies central to strategy and planning for the year ahead. Happily, we see some advances in regional trade and domestic output. Asia’s large population still consumes less animal protein than its western counterparts, hence the potential for local industry growth, which we see across all sectors now that inflation has been tempered.
As many countries have strict rules and controls on the use of antibiotics in the livestock industry, bacteriophage is emerging as an option to address on-farm bacterial infections.
Asian Agribiz talks to Dr Kitiya Vongkamjan, co-Founder and CEO of UniFAHS, an expert on phage technology about how this solution can help livestock producers tackle bacterial pathogen. Listen to the podcast to learn:
• Developments in bacteriophage and its functions within the host animal.
• Benefits of bacteriophage technology compared to antibiotic treatment.
• Recommendations in implementing the technology.
Asian Agribiz's 2023 Layer Feed Quality Conference (LFQC) is happening in November. Conference Chairman David Faulkner discusses what delegates can look forward to and how the blended approach of streamed technical sessions followed by a two-day live conference benefits participants.
n Asia, a region where price-sensitive consumers dominate, expansion is ongoing in a non-traditional segment, the premium food category. Rising consumer incomes often lead to increased consumption of premium meat, prompting manufacturers to create premium versions for added convenience. Meanwhile, the growing scrutiny on health and nutrition has led companies like CP Foods, Betagro and Cargill in Thailand to offer healthier options. The consumption of this segment is forecast to rise to 51% from 40% due to strong domestic demand from Indonesia, the region’s largest economy. The Philippines and Thailand are also emerging countries to watch.
The pressure to reduce prices of essential foods, in our case animal protein, has convinced some countries to adopt less stringent attitudes towards imports.
This podcast looks at what the future holds for South and Southeast Asia, will we be more import dependent moving forward?
In 2015, Korean company CJ Bio introduced a revolutionary product- L-methionine. It is said to have higher bioavailability than DL- methionine and is cheaper. But the journey towards wider acceptance of this has been slow. Asian Agribiz talks to Dr Jae Cheol Kim Head of Technical Solution Center at CJ Bio APAC about how L-methionine can change the feed sector and help producers achieve sustainability targets while reducing costs. Listen to the podcast to learn:
• How CJ Bio’s key product L Methionine can revolutionize the feed industry
• Ways in which producers can achieve that fine balance between sustainability and cost-effective pricing.
• The ways in which the right additives can help in a price sensitive feed market.
Most people think ‘vegetarian’ when addressing Indian consumers. But data from Statista shows only 20-39% of the country’s population is vegetarian.
In fact, Indians are also poultry meat and egg consumers, although consumption remains low. Each person currently consumes just 3.5kg of poultry meat and 30 eggs annually, according to a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research. The council wants Indian consumers to eat more, recommending 10.5kg of poultry meat and 180 eggs.
The low consumption figures are both a strength and an opportunity for India, meaning a huge room for growth. An extra 0.1kg in poultry meat consumption and one more egg added multiplied by the 1.4 billion population will translate into million-dollar investments in the feed-farm-food supply chain.
As meat consumption rises, producers and processors are mulling investing in new plants or extending existing facilities. But there are factors to consider. Manuel van’t Sant, Regional Director Sales, Poultry Asia & Oceania Marel Poultry, outlines some including:
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Investing according to business goals
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Factoring in the location of the plant for space constraints,
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The environment’s infrastructure and accessibility to point-of-sale,
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Cost which includes compliance with local guidelines and time for approvals, and
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The current situation in other countries.
Mr van’t Sant has worked extensively in the Asian poultry industry and has a sound perspective of markets here.
Branding has evolved from a focus on visibility and consumer-facing communication to an art and corporate strategy. Logos, labels, and taglines are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to branding today. Consumers are demanding more, and producers are doing their best to meet these demands and build brand patronage and loyalty. From branded eggs, to premiumization of products, producers are now evolving as corporate brands.
With poultry being the most popular meat globally, it is inevitable that the sector draws in a plethora of news addressing challenges, opportunities, and solutions. As consolidation takes place and production grows, the big push now is towards sustainability and animal welfare. At our satellite webinar last week ahead of the Broiler Feed Quality Conference in Q1 2024, we had more than 200 delegates from 17 countries participate, to learn about opportunities in embracing sustainable operations.
Group sow housing is gaining ground in Asia, where animal welfare is growing in importance. The concept offers an environment for more than one sow to lie down, stand up, and turn around during their pregnancy instead of being confined to crates.
In this podcast, Mikael Kirk, CEO of Agrisys, a supplier of swine farm equipment from Denmark, discusses how group sow housing outperforms crate systems and how swine producers can adopt this system to advance animal welfare and their image in farming while optimizing their investment.
Challenges in the seafood and aquaculture industry were highlighted in a recent sector report in Asian Meat Magazine, focusing on rising production cost and retail prices. Processed seafood, which is convenient, affordable, and abundantly available currently needs more promotion and marketing to lure consumers. This is due to price volatility, high feed prices, and supply constraints. However, challenges do not mean fewer opportunities. Rather, solutions to capitalize on these opportunities must be explored. Measures need to be implemented to stabilize access to these proteins and make retail prices attractive. The solution lies in good policies to develop and maintain production or availability, which is already happening in countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Research has proven that clay is effective as a multi-mycotoxin binder. However, not all clay-based mycotoxin binders are the same.
In this podcast, Erika Kusuma Wardani, Clariant’s Regional Manager Asia Pacific for Feed Business, details what makes them different in terms of the mining and production process.
She also explains key parameters to determine the quality of a clay-based mycotoxin binder, as well as specific binders to bind specific mycotoxins.
The rapid transformation of the livestock production sector in Asia currently presents a great opportunity and a favorable time to adopt sustainability in farming and across the value chain. With a growing population, demand too is putting pressure on animal protein production, particularly chicken meat because it is affordable. Hence Asian Agribiz's focus on sustainable broiler production on September 5. In the three-hour webinar titled 'Sustainability – threat or opportunity', five reputable presenters will address how to balance environmental impact and maintain profitability to ensure long-term sustainability.
Weather remains a focus for US corn and soybean farmers, as overly dry or wet weather can impact final yields. Mac Marshall, VP of Market Intelligence at United Soybean Board, shares his insights on this dynamic and trends regarding corn and soybean demand.
In this podcast with Asian Agribiz, he discusses:
• Corn and soybean harvest for the current planting season
• The main markets for South America
• Long-term outlook on grain costs
• Factors affecting grain and oilseed supply for animal feed
Now that Thailand has a new prime minister following a three-month impasse, the wheel of the economy is expected to move smoother, not that the animal protein sector saw a slowdown! The thing about Thailand is that while setting the bar for the rest of the industry in Asia, it does face challenges. But those hurdles are crossed almost immediately. When exports contract, new markets are south and when smuggling drives local prices down, authorities take corrective action.
By 2035, Southeast Asia's population is expected to increase by 12% from 670 million in 2020 to 750 million. Demand for food will grow in tandem, hence the growing conversations and emphasis on supply, imports, and waste reduction. The mounting pressure on food supply is real, given that in Asia, more than 40% of food loss occurs throughout commodity supply chains at the post-harvest level—between harvest and the consumer. So, what are the concerns in our region and how are they being addressed?
Asia is emerging as the main driver in restoring the global economy fueled by a vibrant food industry. Food manufacturers are expanding their operations and seeking new solutions to enhance the capacity and efficiency of their production lines. Asian Agribiz talks to Axel Arras, Chairman of FPT Food Process Technology, to learn about the demand for machinery and equipment in the region.
This podcast will touch on:• Trends in food processing machinery and equipment in the Asian market• Comparison between new and reconditioned machinery • Tips for choosing the best solutions for food production lines
In a surprising move this week, China chose to lift the import tariff on Australian barley- which has stood at 80% since 2020. In the peak of 2017/18, China imported 6.3mt of barley from Australia, which then dropped to negligeable levels after 2020. Why did they choose to do this? The answer- Food security.
Amid a bumpy playing field, producers and retailers are raising innovation antennas to mine market share, even as animal protein prices rise. Many are using analytics to better understand consumers, categories, competitors, and retail capabilities. McKinsey suggests that to make market-beating decisions, companies should mine insights from a combination of four lenses namely consumer understanding, category and channel value pools, competitive understanding, and capabilities to win. Our recent reports point to an interesting adoption of knowledge to gain market share.
Since several players in the Horeca industry in Asia have expressed their commitment to source cage-free eggs only, producers in the region are preparing to meet demand.
Asian Agribiz learns from Dietmar Tepe, Managing Director of KAT, the German Association for Controlled Alternative Animal Husbandry that provides a testing system for eggs from alternative husbandry systems, that shifting to cage-free egg production is “not as easy as turning the palm of the hand”.
But early birds will reap more benefits. Therefore, Mr Tepe suggests that producers be brave and drive this growing trend.
In this podcast, he offers advice to egg producers in the region who plan to transition.
Indonesia has been lighting up the headlines on our website and magazines for the right reasons. With its economy focused on local production and consumption, many local enterprises, particularly in poultry, are expanding while bigger players are eyeing exports. At the same time, we see a crunch with other proteins like pork and canned fish.
The availability and price of feed raw materials continue to be a big concern for feed, livestock, and poultry producers in Asia. Hence various markets are looking for ways to ensure their local industries get the supply they need. Some, unsurprisingly, continue to turn to imports. Others look more for locally available supplies and/or seek alternative ingredients. But are these alternatives worth it?
One of the main goals of producers is to lower production costs, and bulk of these costs are feeds. With that, many are looking into utilizing alternative ingredients. But is it really feasible? Can those really be an alternative to the typical ingredients? Dr Rommel Sulabo, Professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños talks about how we can properly utilize these alternative ingredients to reduce production costs while maintaining the integrity and efficiency of animal production.
The focus on sustainability in livestock production is growing and producers in Asia are in a sweet spot as the industry consolidates and modernizes. An interesting observation is that conversations about sustainable transitions have evolved beyond climate change and includes effects of production across the value chain, on the environment and society. These include, land use, food waste, CO2 emissions and more, much of which will be covered in Asian Agribiz's updated format of its Broiler Feed Quality Conference which has sustainability at its core.
The latter half of 2023 holds promise, although analysts predict a recovery that must navigate cautious trends. Despite the likelihood of consumers accepting higher prices, their pursuit of cheaper food and good bargains will persist. In this pursuit, the online realm will play a crucial role as virtual retail channels receive a significant boost and expansion. Within South and Southeast Asia, a keen trend towards intra-regional trade has emerged, primarily driven by two factors - declining exports to the US and European markets and emphasis on enhancing food security.
Meat and seafood are being consumed in different ways in Asia, thanks to cultural openness, cuisines and preference. Suppliers are using technology to cater to precision portioning, as different cuts, weight measurements and shape of meats are changing. Eric Gohres, Vice President Asia Pacific of Marelec Food Technologies tells Asian Agribiz that:
1) Cultural exchange, urbanization and population growth are leading consumers to eat differently.
2) Meat product differentiation covers both home cooking and foodservices.
3) Big brands are heavily investing in secondary and further processing alongside changing trends.
4) Deboning, especially of dark meat is trending and is being used for foodservices products.
5) In terms of technology, x-ray and water-technology is trending for precision, accuracy and flexibility.
Eric Gohres has more than 20 years of experience and an extensive network in the meat and poultry processing industry covering the Asia-Pacific region. His understanding of the industry enables him to analyze and understand customer demands for the right application, to help them advance profitably.
Today I would like to explore how Thailand’s agri-food giant, CP Foods innovates and expands while weaving sustainability into its value chain, alongside its aspirations to become the ‘Kitchen of the World’.
The Chearavanont family-controlled company is not only one to admire, but also one that inspires other companies in the animal protein industry in Asia.
Feed is back in the spotlight with producers bent on cutting costs and raising productivity. This can be addressed on many fronts, which is what Asian Agribiz will do at its upcoming Broiler Feed Quality Conference which will be streamed on four consecutive Monday's beginning July 24. We also see a continuous search for solutions to cool feed prices. This includes new robust strains of corn seeds as well as hubs dedicated to producing alternative feed raw materials in Vietnam.
Stress, caused by various factors, is a big issue in pig production. It is present throughout a pig’s life, and depending on the situation, may not be necessarily harmful.
Isa Q. Tan talks with Dr Karl Alexander Fabros, Technical Consultant-Swine at Elanco Malaysia, to better understand what stress is, what triggers it, when it becomes a concern, and how it impacts health and productivity. He also offers tips on how to mitigate stress.
What is next for Asian poultry? Or is it who is next? Most poultry businesses in Asia are family run and as the second generation prepares to take over, there is much expectation but also curiosity as to what new things they will bring to the industry.
From new management thinking to innovative products, the challenges to implement are many but so are the opportunities.
The Pacific Northwest (PNW) is quite distinct in terms of logistics and the quality of the soybean from the area. The soybeans coming from the area have a specific quality profile. While lower in protein, they have a high concentration of amino acids.
In this podcast, Seth Naeve, Associate Professor and Soybean Agronomist from the University of Minnesota, discuss why the PNW is becoming more attractive to Asian buyers of soybean and soybean meal (sbm).
He also shares that PNW will remain important for Asian buyers and the challenges for area soybean producers regarding soybean and sbm exports and markets.
Asia is being touted as the world's consumption growth engine with a USD 10 trillion growth opportunity over the next decade. In Asia, Vietnam has long been a rising star. Its economy and consumers are far from greying. In fact, within the next decade, it is expected to draw in 36 million more consumers. Near-term risks aside, companies like BaF, V Food and Vinh Hoan, among others are growing and finding new revenue stream, while the government supports their efforts.
The past weeks have seen some positive movements in the economy in Asia and it is reflected in both demand for animal protein and company profits. At the same time, producers are looking for ways to raise income with value addition and by stabilizing production costs. In Thailand we see restaurant business growth and export strategies, while in India and Indonesia, the move towards value addition and RTC/RTE products, is picking up both for local and export markets.
India’s alternative protein sector is on an upswing as new companies emerge by the day. Despite the backing of celebrities and international brands, the segment is yet to see mass commercialization. Asian Agribiz talks to Viscofan, Country Head, India, Pedro Sinues on the potential of plant based sausages in the country and whether they will revolutionize the convenience foods market in India.
This podcast will touch on:• Potential and pain points of plant based meats • Production issues • Market capabilities of plant based meats
From plant-based eggs using mung beans and meat made from animal cells, the alternative protein space in Asia is advancing, even as growth has slowed down elsewhere. Asian Agribiz adopted this sector into its stable of proteins in 2021 and it has proven to be a positive leap of faith. This June 13, we will host our inaugural Alternative Protein Conference under the banner: Alternative Protein – Nutritional value and processing efficiency. It will be held a day ahead and in conjunction with ProPak Asia 2023 in Bangkok.
On the sidelines of VIV Asia 2023, AB Vista, Managing Director, Juan Ignacio Fernandez talks to Asian Agribiz on the future growth strategies of the company in Asia. Mr Fernandez has always emphasised on Asia’s potential to drive growth in his company even as several countries struggle to cope with tough economic conditions this year.
This podcast will touch on:• Challenges in the animal protein industry • The potential growth points for AB Vista and Asia
The International Monetary Fund expects slow growth in the economies of India and Asean-5 (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand) this year, as rising interest rates sap momentum from the global economy.
India’s growth is projected to weaken to 6.1% in fiscal 2023 while the Asean-5 are seen logging 4.3% growth.
Our reports show that in the first quarter, the forecast proved that the agrifood industry including poultry and seafood was similarly trailing, recording a downfall in profit.
Feed is the biggest cost on a farm, and the first component producers should check to see where money can be saved while ensuring sound production parameters.
In this podcast, Nigel Godde shares how intelligent feeding programs can help pig producers improve efficiency during this challenging time with historically high ingredient prices and fierce competitiveness.
Mr Godde is Sales Director for the Pig Division at Big Dutchman Asia.
Research shows that close to a third (27%) of global greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to agriculture and food production. Half of this stems from livestock production. A keen shift is taking place among Asian producers in enhancing the way food is produced and in decarbonizing the value chain. Admittedly, amidst the many other challenges that require capital to address, this too begs investment. As the farming landscape evolves and consolidates, Asian producers are in a sweet spot to make the right investments, to be nature positive, restorative, and regenerative rather than extractive.
'Constant evolution' seems to be the byword of the era we are in, and strategy is helping companies flourish in uncertain times. Over these tumultuous years, we have seen leaders adapting and reshaping strategies based on predictions related to market trends, consumer demand, and data analysis. A strategic development that has come into focus is investments in processing and further processing. Producers are motivated by the post-pandemic focus on food safety, health, and the comfort level that, particularly younger consumers, have reached with online shopping and convenience food.
At the 2022 Broiler Feed Quality Conference, Dr Pradeep Krishnan, Technical Service Director at Evonik SEA presented how guanidino acetic acid (GAA) supplementation improved performance of vegetable protein diets and how GAA can compensate for low dietary energy in corn-sbm diet in Asia.
In this follow-up podcast, Asian Agribiz learns from him how GAA can also improve meat quality, reduce health issues, and improve animal welfare.
To learn more about GAA, visit guanamino.evonik.com.
Food insecurity and food protectionism are becoming more pronounced resulting from frayed supply chains, weather woes and geopolitical tensions. Could this lead to more intra-regional trade or growth in local self-sufficiency? In Q4 2022 we reported on Malaysia's ban on poultry exports to Singapore and earlier, India's rice and wheat export ban, all bent on protecting local needs. With high shipping costs and rising barriers to trade, we now see a surge in intra-regional trade as well.
CP Foods, a giant in the food industry has started selling ‘low carbon eggs’ - a first for many. The company has been working hard on its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. From green buildings to low carbon eggs, CP is in the driving seat of sustainability.
But the question is why does CP care so much about sustainability?
As implementation of Environmental, Social and Governance or ESG goals gain momentum, livestock stakeholders must understand some basic things. Malaysia’s carbon-related agriculture analyst and researcher, Dr Chian Wen Chan told Asian Agribiz that among other:
• Ratings are mostly given by accounting companies instead of science-based research and analytical bodies, and ratings will vary.
• ESG standards must be specifically tailored for different industries and there are no general standardized criteria.
• Zero carbon achievement is impossible, as some processes such as using fertilizers means carbon emission in agriculture will always be present.
• Livestock producers can take the lead to improve how ESG goals are set or audited by working with scientists and rating agencies.
Dr Chian is a chartered engineer and a chartered scientist with IChemE. His area of research/consultation involves management of energy insecurity, food insecurity, financial insecurity in a changing world, and their subsequent impact on ESG and Sustainable Development Goals.
The pig industry in Asia appears to be swinging back strongly despite ASF remaining endemic in many regions. The spread and new outbreaks continue, particularly in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. But governments and practitioners appear to have a handle on how to address the challenge. But the industry still needs help as it modernizes and continues to battle diseases. So lookout for details on Asian Agribiz's Pig Health Conference happening this May.
VIV Asia 2023 was extensive and well received and featured solutions from feed to fork. Re-socializing aside, it gave exhibitors and visitors alike an opportunity to reconnect and move the industry forward, despite the challenges. After a four-year break, what stood out was the many solutions presented to address the labor crunch, advance the sustainability agenda, enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and promote animal welfare. But adoption may take time because of the current economic woes.
For several years now, ASF has dominated the pig industry worldwide. However, there are other pig diseases that continue to hound the industry.
Dr Rolando Cruz talks to Asian Agribiz about the diseases that producers in Southeast Asia should be on the lookout for, and what strategies they can take to prevent and/or minimize their incidence and rebuild their herd.
Dr Cruz is currently Biochem Zusatzstoffe’s Regional Sales Manager for Asia Pacific and a veterinary consultant in Southeast Asia.
The buzz this week is all about VIV 2023. Travel plans, meeting schedules, seminars, and fetes are all coming together. There is much anticipation mainly among suppliers to regional producers, primarily because Asia is seen as the current powerhouse of growth globally. Trade is slowly but surely picking up alongside investments and profits. We see CP Foods in Thiland and Three Acre Farms in Sri Lanka registering profits, Betagro opening a new feedmill, Baf expanding its value chain in the interest of clean food production and more.
Modern probiotics are mainly bacteria that are selectively chosen to fight off pathogens, improve the immune system, and restore gut microbial balance. To select probiotics, we must follow certain guidelines to ensure that the product qualifies for animal use.
In this podcast, Nadia Yacoubi, Technical Marketing Director for Gut Health Solution at Evonik Animal Nutrition talks about the role and mode of action (MOA) of modern probiotics.
She also shares the advantages of modern probiotics and how these are applied to different livestock.
She explains it is possible to use more than one probiotic or strain at the same time, but we must first check their compatibility as they can also compete or inhibit each other.
Conscious eating is picking up in Asia as consumers of diverse demographic stripes strive to achieve their health and sustainability goals. This equates to alternative protein gaining ground. But how are producers moving forward to meet these consumer goals? There obviously is traction as investments in alternative proteins in Asia Pacific jumped 43% in 2022. The Good Food Institute said alternative proteins can support Asian demand for protein, especially since the animal protein sector is facing multiple pressures, including climate change and disease.
Global poultry markets are expected to stay strong this year, but there will be challenges, especially in Asia where avian influenza and high input costs are likely to continue. Some egg industries are already feeling the pinch, but others like India are seeing better days. However, chicken meat producers are seeing continued opportunities and are expanding. Challenging though the times, efforts to enhance efficiencies continue, which will help the industry come out ready and better when things normalize.
Life cycle assessments in the feed industry are becoming a common phenomenon to measure the environmental impact of the business. Collecting data for this task however can be tedious and time consuming. Europe based not for profit, Global Feed LCA Institute (GFLI) is working on making things simpler by building a database on the impact each feed ingredient and process has within the animal protein industry. Asian Agribiz talks to GFLI on how they are going about it and why is it important for Asia.
This podcast will touch on:
• What is an LCA • How LCA can reduce environmental impact of your business while saving costs • How you can be a first mover in Asia with a LCA
The pig industry in Asia is evolving in many respects and quite significantly too with consolidation and technology adoption. Farms are growing and production is on an uptrend despite a slowing economy weighing on demand, and rising uncertainties, and volatility. Rabobank anticipates sluggish trade as exporting countries tighten supplies, and importing countries lower their demand. In China demand is said to be weak despite Covid-19 restrictions being lifted. The anticipated ‘revenge spending’ did not happen and retail did not peak ahead of or during the Lunar New Year as it usually does. This despite low pork prices, which has led to government to stockpile to support prices.
Commodity prices, especially softs like corn and soybean, are expected to contract this year on lower demand and easing shipping rates, says the Economist Intelligence Unit. Yet, a marginal increase in supply is expected to keep prices level. Still, wildcards affecting grain prices would be supply challenges caused by the Russia-Ukraine war, climate change and the resulting drought that is disrupting production, and China’s reopening that could upend global demand and supply. America.
Farmers in Asia have tightened biosecurity in response to stave off pig diseases. Yet mistakes still happen. In this podcast with Asian Agribiz, Etienne Guérou, CEO and Founder of Pigstech, talks about how development of farming technologies can help swine producers minimize biosecurity errors and improve management at pig farms. Mr Guérou also shares some thoughts on technologies that farmers should prioritize and invest in to improve farm biosecurity and management.
Targeting the right consumer remains elusive but necessary. As a new era of consumerism unfolds, producers are trying hard to make sense of what influences new spending decisions. McKinsey says that 33% of millennial and Gen Z consumers say they choose to buy a brand that represents their values. But know also that alignment with a consumer’s values may raise ‘consideration’ but not necessarily prompt purchase. There are other factors to consider like product superiority, taste, and value, alongside animal welfare, environmental consciousness and sustainability that have come to awaken consumer choices and prompted producers into action.
Farm management in cage-free egg production is more complicated. When it comes to flock health, producers should implement the right disease prevention and control program.
In this podcast with Asian Agribiz, Fernando Carrasquer, Global Technical Service and Veterinary Specialist at H&N International identifies the main diseases and behavioral problems to lookout for.
Dr Carrasquer also shares strategies to improve farm biosecurity and flock immunity.
We have entered 2023 with a bit of trepidation and caution. The outlook appears flat, even without another crisis. While the World Bank expects global growth to decelerate, Asia’s economic outlook appears a tad better than the rest of the world. While tremors of the recent past continue to haunt our industry, the agility with which producers have adapted with livestock feed and technology adoption is commendable. Despite the hit to profitability, demand, and consumption, we can expect some bright spots.
To start this new year, it is good to ‘Re-view’ what we have gone through in 2022.
Feed cost was the most discussed topic last year. While the global supply chain of feed ingredients had not recovered, the Russia-Ukraine war complicated the situation, pushing feedmillers to be responsive in supply sourcing and active in exploring alternative ingredients.
The high feed cost impacted poultry producers. Producers who rely on live bird markets, had to bear losses. Despite recording higher revenues compared to the pandemic years, companies had to contend with slim profits because of higher cost of goods sold.
Manipulating the nutrient content of DDGS and brown rice to use in broiler feed is easier than you think, according to Matthew Clark. In this podcast following through from the Broiler Feed Quality Conference 2022, he looks at the salient points of these two ingredients such as:
- Choosing the right location and producers of DDGS means better results
- understanding the true value of the DDGS
- using NIR tools, the variability and content of DDGS is better understood
- brown or co-rice is an excellent alternative, should be encouraged in production
- the nutrient profile of brown rice is almost the same as corn and why
Mr Clark graduated in Agriculture from London University and has since focused mainly on projects in the feed and farming business in Southeast Asia. He is a founding member of Genesis Feed Technologies, based in Fargo, North Dakota. He concurrently works on the development, sales, and implementation of formulation systems, starting with the Brill Corporation in Atlanta as Vice President of Product Development in 1990 and continued in that role as a distributor and consultant for Brill Formulation Systems.
Read more here: DDGS, and rice co-products are good for broiler diets Broiler Feed Quality Conference digs deep into broiler diets
It is that time of the year again when analysts are busy gazing into their crystal balls to predict the economic climate for the year ahead. The general consensus for Asia is that it will be a year of resilience and recovery. The research team at DBS in Singapore, say that they will be looking beyond ‘known uncertainties and that markets are forward looking, having priced in the bulk of interest rate hikes and recessionary fears in 2022. Inflation pressure is expected to ease in the first half of 2023 as commodity prices decline with the normalization of supply-chain bottlenecks. But where is the animal protein sector headed?
Capital, technology, and marketing are important factors in building a successful animal protein business. However, the paramount factor is human resource (HR) that runs the business.
Jaap ten Have, Managing Director of Nomilk2day Asia, lists HR challenges in the industry.
“We see many vacancies, but not many suitable candidates. Companies must be more creative to lure potential candidates. Inflation is a contributing factor, pushing people to stay in their jobs a bit longer for security,” Mr ten Have told Asian Agribiz.
“We also observe that loyalty is waning. We don't see people working for the same company for 20-30 years anymore,” he added.
In this podcast, Mr ten Have addresses:
- tips for foreign employees to succeed in Asia,
- pain points of Asian candidates in moving up their career ladder,
- and ideas to attract the younger generation to join the animal protein industry.
A lot of firsts happened over the week and despite the year ending, these changes signal an interesting year ahead. China is rolling back on its zero covid policy, Malaysia is looking to import eggs and Vietnam announced a working vaccine against ASF.
All exciting news and all signs that the region now wants its supply chains back to normal and they want to come out of pandemic mode. But how fast can they kick start this engine?
For years, pork has gotten a bad rap as an 'unhealthy' meat, but is it really?
In this podcast, Darryl D'Souza, Executive General Manager for Techinical Services at the Sunpork Group in Austraila, says not so. On the contrary, pork has many benefits, but as with all good things, moderation is key.
He discusses these benefits and encourages producers to "tell our story" to counter the misconceptions about pork and encourage greater consumption. He also notes that the current slowdown in consumption is just a glitch caused by the reduced supply due to ASF. Despite the challenges posed by poultry meat and alternative proteins, pork's hold on the Asian market remains firm.
Amid supply disruptions and higher prices of corn and soybean meal, feedmillers and farmers in Asia are looking to leverage alternative feed ingredients from local sources.
In this podcast, animal nutrition consultant Peter Robson discusses the options available. He noted that feedmillers are more limited in the type of ingredients they can buy and use due to the equipment in the feedmill. Dry ingredients typically make up the bulk of the ingredients in the ration.
Meanwhile, farmers who home-mix can utilize ingredients that feedmillers cannot use. However, Mr Robson pointed out that it is crucial to know the nutritional content of each feed ingredient.
2022 has been an incredibly tough year for many, but as it draws to a close, business resilience and optimism are showing results. Across the region, businesses are proving this resilience by using multiple channels and alternative ways to enhance profits and opportunities, as the numbers don’t lie. As Covid lockdowns finally end and international travel fully resumes, the return of consumer demand shows how earnings were boosted for some.
Food security is a top priority for China and like many governments in Asia, they are keen on securing their own local supply. One of the main ways this can be achieved through is improving crop yields with GM seed. Asian Agribiz talks to Darin Friedrichs, co-founder of Sitonia Consulting to know how China is managing to get everyone on board with GM.
This podcast will touch on:
- The impact of GM policy in China
- How governments can convince the public on GM
- Long term grain market implications as China turns to GM
This is Thanksgiving week in the US, but the price of turkey is nothing to be thankful for. While markets continue to report a worrying edge on prices, even of poultry, the cheapest meat protein, we see how Asian producers appear to be coping well. Headline inflation appears to be easing and we see growth, investments, modernization, and growing exports, which despite the bumps along the way, signal progress, even if at a stilted pace.
Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD/Gumboro) is one of the most common diseases affecting commercial poultry in Asia. In the clinical acute form (vvIBDV), the disease causes significant economic losses due to mortality, reduced performance, and immunosuppression that lead to increased susceptibility to other diseases.
In this podcast, Leandro Ferreira, Poultry Technical Director Southeast Asia at Phibro Animal Health Corporation said biosecurity and vaccination are key to preventing IBD. Poor biosecurity, incorrect vaccination programs, and multi-age farms are the main issues confronting control of the disease.
Arguably, the global animal protein industry is facing what may be the biggest challenges it ever faced. Threats loom from various sides – conflicts that disrupts the supply chain, inflation that increase costs and lower demand and consumption, animal health challenges that reduce productivity are just a few. Amid all the bleakness, there is some cause for optimism. Demand for animal proteins is not going away, and opportunities lurk. Companies like BaF Vietnam Agriculture JSC in Vietnam, Tyson Foods Asia Pacific in Thailand, and the RM Group in India are just some examples of producers taking advantage of the opportunities.
The sow herd is a profitability driver of breed to finish swine farms. Maintaining the sow herd's health status can help swine farms significantly improve pig survival and performance from birth to market weight, and therefore is crucial for a farm’s long-term profitability.
Watwarat Janjariyakul, Technical Sales Manager Southeast Asia at APC Inc believes that it is important to maintain a healthy culling ratio, at 30-40%, and a sow parity at 3-3.5.
He emphasizes that farms can improve the culling ratio by reducing the number of involuntary sows with better farm management and sow-care programs.
As animal husbandry best practices change across Asia, there are still some skills and features like standardized diagnostics that are needed to enhance care. Dr Roselle Cudal, Elanco’s Senior Technical Consultant for Swine said while veterinarians are well-versed in how to take care of livestock, especially pigs at a time when ASF is a challenge, farmhands still need training and guidance. This podcast discusses:
- How diagnostic structures are a still needed feature on farms. Expertise to be able to handle it is imperative.
- Why standardized procedures and harmonization is needed across labs and diagnostics entities for comparable results.
- Management systems for farms are vital, and training of those systems even more so.
- Investment in housing and climate control are part of good management systems.
Dr Cudal is a published, animal health practitioner with over 20 years of experience, both in the field as well as in academia. Her technical advice pertaining to AGPs and biosecurity for pig health is well-versed in the region.
In recent podcasts, I addressed quite extensively the tenacity and resilience of the animal protein industry, amid the various challenges that cross the path of food production and security. Profitability is crucial to keep producers going and equally important is focus on the impact and clarity of marketing. There are numerous compelling stories that go alongside the creation and development of protein products that are marketed, like Betagro’s SPF pork, BaF Vietnam’s vegetarian pork and Universal Robina’s sustainability focus. How do you craft a compelling marketing program from this?
The resilience of the animal protein industry in Asia continues to be challenged. Geopolitical events, chaotic weather, the rising dollar, and supply chain hiccups continue to be major sources of concern. In Asian Agribiz’s recently concluded Pig Feed Quality Conference 2022, the focus was on tempering rising feed costs, raising robust pigs and repopulation – all of which contribute to eventual profitability. The upcoming 2022 Broiler Feed Quality Conference will focus on pathways to profit, performance, efficiency, and ingredient selection. Our focused topics represent a confluence of immediate concerns and longer-term strategies that could help alleviate the ongoing challenges.
Marek’s (MD), infectious bursal (IBD) or Gumboro, and Newcastle disease (ND) are prevalent in Asia. Providing a strong immune foundation and optimized protection against the three poultry diseases is important.
Asian Agribiz speaks to Phang Yuen Fun, Technical Manager, Avian, at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, about the three viral diseases and a breakthrough in hatchery vaccination.
In this podcast, Dr Phang explains about:
- The current situation of MD, IBD, and ND in Asia.
- Boehringer’s 3-in-1 hatchery vaccine to protect against the diseases.
- Key advantages of the vaccine and the ‘dos’ and ‘don'ts’ of using it.
Resilience may be the right word to describe how the animal protein industry in South and Southeast Asia has survived amid challenges, that according to Rabobank, include high feed and energy prices and high costs of distribution and labor.
Poultry seems to be the most resilient, proven even during the Covid-19 pandemic in the past two years. Although the sector is facing high production cost, with pressures on disposable income, poultry remains a protein of choice.
Tanawat Damnernthong General Manager of Burger (Thailand), sees opportunities for business growth and expansion, backed by growing burger consumption. Burger King offers both premium and affordable options. It has diversified its product offering and sales channels to meet consumer demand. Apart from meat and plant-based burgers, it offers rice with meat, rice porridge with pork and fried chicken. The company is also investing and growing its digital touchpoints, including its own app, website, delivery services and kiosks.
In this podcast, Mr Tanawat addresses:
• Opportunities and challenges in the burger business in Thailand
• Burger King’s business strategy
• The value of product and channel diversification
• Why flavor localization is crucial and
• Opportunities in plant-based burgers and the company’s plan for this product category.
The feed additive industry has been facing several challenges with Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine conflict which has disrupted supply chains into Asia. Asian Agribiz talks to Adisseo Regional Supply Chain Manager for Asia Pacific, Rudy Yeo on the status of the feed additive market and the challenges that lie ahead for the industry.
This podcast touches on:
• strategies to overcome high logistic costs in the supply chain
• trends in supply chain movement into Asia
• new investments in alternative feed proteins
Sustainability is at the heart of every growing livestock production company globally. As the industry grows and modernizes in Asia amidst its many challenges, the time is right to do the responsible thing and embark on a deep dive into operations, systems, procedures, and sourcing to draw both business and production sustainability into focus. Since livestock production plays a crucial role in sustainable food systems a look into the different dimensions of sustainability from sourcing to productivity and production efficiency, can reap rewards.
Sustainability is at the heart of every growing livestock production company globally. As the industry grows and modernizes in Asia amidst its many challenges, the time is right to do the responsible thing and embark on a deep dive into operations, systems, procedures, and sourcing to draw both business and production sustainability into focus. Since livestock production plays a crucial role in sustainable food systems a look into the different dimensions of sustainability from sourcing to productivity and production efficiency, can reap rewards.
Meat producers are facing some of the toughest challenges currently with inflated production cost and prices. However, Dr Carmelo Ferlito of the economic think-tank Center for Market Education told Asian Agribiz that the problem started in 2020, when governments in the region implemented pandemic lockdowns.
His solutions included increasing productivity and producing efficiently, using austere measures and technology to safeguard consumer interests, to ensure purchasing ability is maintained.
Dr Carmelo Ferlito is an economist and a manager working and living in Malaysia since 2011. He is currently the CEO of the Center for Market Education and a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is also a Research Advisor for Provalindo Nusa in Jakarta, Indonesia, and a Senior Fellow at the Property Rights Alliance in Washington, DC.
Meat producers are facing some of the toughest challenges currently with inflated production cost and prices. However, Dr Carmelo Ferlito of the economic think-tank Center for Market Education told Asian Agribiz that the problem started in 2020, when governments in the region implemented pandemic lockdowns.
His solutions included increasing productivity and producing efficiently, using austere measures and technology to safeguard consumer interests, to ensure purchasing ability is maintained.
Dr Carmelo Ferlito is an economist and a manager working and living in Malaysia since 2011. He is currently the CEO of the Center for Market Education and a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is also a Research Advisor for Provalindo Nusa in Jakarta, Indonesia, and a Senior Fellow at the Property Rights Alliance in Washington, DC.
The duration and depth of the current economic challenges seem to be in the ether. While it appears to have set a tailspin on retail and growth plans, our coverage indicates cautious optimism and intent strategies. With consumers facing price pressures too, producers are addressing price increases with caution, to retain customers and market share. Their strategies are manifold, and this stretches from feed and formulation to automation in processing and resizing of products and packaging.
The duration and depth of the current economic challenges seem to be in the ether. While it appears to have set a tailspin on retail and growth plans, our coverage indicates cautious optimism and intent strategies. With consumers facing price pressures too, producers are addressing price increases with caution, to retain customers and market share. Their strategies are manifold, and this stretches from feed and formulation to automation in processing and resizing of products and packaging.
Asian pig producers are facing many challenges in production. One of these challenges is to grow the pig population in Asia post-ASF, and this is where technology can help, said Art Frio, Technical Director, 1st Ten Consulting Asia Pacific.
“There’s a huge deficit in terms of pork production and supply in pork-eating countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines post-ASF,” he noted. “Thus, farmers are looking at new and innovative ways to increase production. Doing so however can be costly, such as investing in evaporative cooling houses and using automation in feeding systems. But in the long run, it will be cost-effective as these systems help to save on water and keep infections at bay, contributing to lesser usage of antibiotics or medicines. Gone are the days we raise pigs in open spaces.”
On Day 3 of Asian Agribiz’s Pig Feed Quality Conference, streaming on September 29, Mr Frio will lead the session on ‘Solving the pain points in Asian pig production’.
Asian pig producers are facing many challenges in production. One of these challenges is to grow the pig population in Asia post-ASF, and this is where technology can help, said Art Frio, Technical Director, 1st Ten Consulting Asia Pacific.
“There’s a huge deficit in terms of pork production and supply in pork-eating countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines post-ASF,” he noted. “Thus, farmers are looking at new and innovative ways to increase production. Doing so however can be costly, such as investing in evaporative cooling houses and using automation in feeding systems. But in the long run, it will be cost-effective as these systems help to save on water and keep infections at bay, contributing to lesser usage of antibiotics or medicines. Gone are the days we raise pigs in open spaces.”
On Day 3 of Asian Agribiz’s Pig Feed Quality Conference, streaming on September 29, Mr Frio will lead the session on ‘Solving the pain points in Asian pig production’.
The buzz at Food & Hotel Asia 2022 in Singapore last week appeared to center around the alternative protein pavilion. It was hard to determine whether the crowd and interest was due to the novelty of the offerings or the free samples that were being freely distributed. Still, we must acknowledge that it is fast becoming an important feature within the ‘protein’ mix.
Chong Nyet Chin, Director of Food Safety and Quality at Singapore’s NTUC Fairprice, contends that alternative proteins still have a long way to go to become mainstream as prices currently too high, and they do not emulate meat enough in terms of palatability, texture, nutrition, and ingredients. Yet traditional animal protein producers like CP Foods, Thai Union and Tyson are investing heavily in this segment.
The buzz at Food & Hotel Asia 2022 in Singapore last week appeared to center around the alternative protein pavilion. It was hard to determine whether the crowd and interest was due to the novelty of the offerings or the free samples that were being freely distributed. Still, we must acknowledge that it is fast becoming an important feature within the ‘protein’ mix.
Chong Nyet Chin, Director of Food Safety and Quality at Singapore’s NTUC Fairprice, contends that alternative proteins still have a long way to go to become mainstream as prices currently too high, and they do not emulate meat enough in terms of palatability, texture, nutrition, and ingredients. Yet traditional animal protein producers like CP Foods, Thai Union and Tyson are investing heavily in this segment.
For many years, the production of colored birds, sometimes referred to as ‘kampung’ or native chickens, was relegated to small and independent backyard farmers. Systems were unscientific, with birds allowed to roam free and eat what they could find in their surroundings and whatever feed they were given.
Today, however, raising these birds has become more science-based, with upgrades in genetics, nutrition, and management practices.
In this podcast, Isa Q Tan, Asian Agribiz's Regional Correspondent in the Philippines, talks with Dr Erwin Joseph Cruz, about how the raising of colored birds has changed over the years and where colored bird farming is heading today.
Dr Cruz is an independent poultry veterinarian who since 1987 has been helping raise the standard of colored bird farming in the Philippines.
For many years, the production of colored birds, sometimes referred to as ‘kampung’ or native chickens, was relegated to small and independent backyard farmers. Systems were unscientific, with birds allowed to roam free and eat what they could find in their surroundings and whatever feed they were given.
Today, however, raising these birds has become more science-based, with upgrades in genetics, nutrition, and management practices.
In this podcast, Isa Q Tan, Asian Agribiz's Regional Correspondent in the Philippines, talks with Dr Erwin Joseph Cruz, about how the raising of colored birds has changed over the years and where colored bird farming is heading today.
Dr Cruz is an independent poultry veterinarian who since 1987 has been helping raise the standard of colored bird farming in the Philippines.
To intervene or not to intervene, this is the question governments are asking as they look at the steadily increasing agriculture commodity prices. But can intervention do more harm than good? That is what we are learning as we see series of interventions made in the egg industry recently.
From Sri Lanka, Bangladesh to Indonesia the patterns are similar, but each has a different solution to offer. With high inflationary pressures, there is stress on producers to keep food commodities low in pricing, but this should be sustainable for both farmer and consumer.
To intervene or not to intervene, this is the question governments are asking as they look at the steadily increasing agriculture commodity prices. But can intervention do more harm than good? That is what we are learning as we see series of interventions made in the egg industry recently.
From Sri Lanka, Bangladesh to Indonesia the patterns are similar, but each has a different solution to offer. With high inflationary pressures, there is stress on producers to keep food commodities low in pricing, but this should be sustainable for both farmer and consumer.
With pressure led by disease and feed cost, the focus in pig production should be on health and efficiency, in addition to growth. At this year’s Pig Feed Quality Conference, Dr Theerawit Poeikhampha will discuss "How can you build a robust pig, fit to face the nutrition and health challenges?” He will share three practical strategies in nutrition that help pig producers improve the performance and efficiency of their pigs. Dr Theerawit Poeikhampha is Assistant Professor at the Department of Animal Science, Kasetsart University, Thailand.
With pressure led by disease and feed cost, the focus in pig production should be on health and efficiency, in addition to growth. At this year’s Pig Feed Quality Conference, Dr Theerawit Poeikhampha will discuss "How can you build a robust pig, fit to face the nutrition and health challenges?” He will share three practical strategies in nutrition that help pig producers improve the performance and efficiency of their pigs. Dr Theerawit Poeikhampha is Assistant Professor at the Department of Animal Science, Kasetsart University, Thailand.
The feed raw material market is currently volatile and unpredictable. The key to survival is to be knowledgeable about alternative ingredients and how to evaluate and manage them. However, it is important to keep the focus on the real issue: The cost to produce a kilogram of pork.
At this year’s Pig Feed Quality Conference, Dr Megan Edwards will lead the session on ‘Timely strategies to reduce feed costs’.
“We are going to look at alternative raw materials, alternative nutritional strategies, the value of functional feed additives and what drives up sow productivity,” she says.
Dr Megan is an animal nutrition consultant at Integral Nutrition, Singapore.
The feed raw material market is currently volatile and unpredictable. The key to survival is to be knowledgeable about alternative ingredients and how to evaluate and manage them. However, it is important to keep the focus on the real issue: The cost to produce a kilogram of pork.
At this year’s Pig Feed Quality Conference, Dr Megan Edwards will lead the session on ‘Timely strategies to reduce feed costs’.
“We are going to look at alternative raw materials, alternative nutritional strategies, the value of functional feed additives and what drives up sow productivity,” she says.
Dr Megan is an animal nutrition consultant at Integral Nutrition, Singapore.
While the Covid-19 pandemic persists in the region, many economic activities have resumed, including foodservice, which some industry observers say would boost demand for animal protein. However, inflation has cut deep into consumers’ pockets, leading to some efforts to control prices and expansion.
In Sri Lanka, the government has capped egg prices and is now considering controlling chicken and fish prices.
In Malaysia, despite the chicken surplus that resulted from an export ban, the government also decided to keep its ceiling price on chicken. Prices have fallen below the cap, prompting calls for the government to let the market float and lift the export ban, but no such announcement was made.
Meanwhile, rising feed costs and sporadic PRRS outbreaks in Vietnam have driven up pig prices. With inflation potentially limiting food consumption, the government warned farmers to hold off on expansion unless they see a rise in demand.
Inflation too has affected Vietnam’s seafood exports. In July, exports to the US plunged 30%. High inflation rates in key markets like the US and Europe are causing food prices to rise. Nevertheless, the country’s Vietnam’s seafood exports from January-July reached 6.7 billion dollars, giving exporters some optimism about reaching its export target of over 10 billion dollars for 2022.
And while optimism in the regional animal protein sector may be tempered by problems and challenges, and industry stakeholders worry about prices affecting consumption, there is no doubt that demand remains, and this must be served.
A growing population and rising incomes are expected to double global demand for animal protein in the coming years. But climate change will likely affect output and derail supply.
In this podcast, Ageng Herianto, Assistant FAO Representative in Indonesia discusses the impact of climate change on animal production and FAO's work on the issue.
According to Mr Herianto without collective actions and a proper program to respond to climate change, millions of people will go hungry, and livelihoods may be lost. Close collaboration with stakeholders at multiple levels will help minimize the negative impact on the livestock sector and ensure sufficient supply.
Consolidation has been a constant in recent years in the swine sector in Asia. Riddled with disease and feed price challenges the only way forward is through investment in modern systems and commercial farming, as we see happening throughout the region.
The industry is rife with solutions and this September, Asian Agribiz is once again excited to offer insight on how to counter rising feed costs and rebuild after an African Swine Fever outbreak. Our 2022 Pig Feed Quality Conference which will stream live on four consecutive Thursdays beginning September 15, will tackle the big challenges facing the pig industry in Asia.
Consolidation has been a constant in recent years in the swine sector in Asia. Riddled with disease and feed price challenges the only way forward is through investment in modern systems and commercial farming, as we see happening throughout the region.
The industry is rife with solutions and this September, Asian Agribiz is once again excited to offer insight on how to counter rising feed costs and rebuild after an African Swine Fever outbreak. Our 2022 Pig Feed Quality Conference which will stream live on four consecutive Thursdays beginning September 15, will tackle the big challenges facing the pig industry in Asia.
Consolidation has been a constant in recent years in the swine sector in Asia. Riddled with disease and feed price challenges the only way forward is through investment in modern systems and commercial farming, as we see happening throughout the region.
The industry is rife with solutions and this September, Asian Agribiz is once again excited to offer insight on how to counter rising feed costs and rebuild after an African Swine Fever outbreak. Our 2022 Pig Feed Quality Conference which will stream live on four consecutive Thursdays beginning September 15, will tackle the big challenges facing the pig industry in Asia.
The challenges that the poultry industry in Asia is mired in may not quite be over yet, but we see progress. This past week, good news has been flowing in, a welcome respite from talk of trials and such!
In Thailand both GFPT and Bangkok Ranch have reported positive earnings, while in Vietnam, producers are enjoying profits despite the high DOC and feed costs. Chicken production in the Philippines rose 9.8% in the first six months, while San Miguel Food and Beverage is investing USD 1.2 billion to build 12 new poultry farms across the country, each producing 80 million birds annually.
No debate that taste, texture, and price are the main pain points of plant-based proteins that are currently available. However, healthiness and safety are also key factors.
In this podcast, Dr Diana Bogueva, Manager of the Centre for Advanced Food Engineering at the University of Sydney, Australia explains why healthiness and safety are important factors for the plant-based protein industry in designing the next generation of products.
Dr Bogueva, who was one of the speakers of Asian Agribiz’s Asian Meat Summit, also explains why plant-based products are a simple but powerful choice for consumers.
High raw material cost is now the main challenge keeping feed producers in the region awake at night, Asian Agribiz learned.
On the one hand, prices of macro raw materials including corn and soybean meal are relatively high, pushing production costs up. On the other hand, feed producers cannot easily raise feed prices due to stiff competition combined with weak demand. Therefore, their profit margins this year will fall.
High raw material cost is now the main challenge keeping feed producers in the region awake at night, Asian Agribiz learned.
On the one hand, prices of macro raw materials including corn and soybean meal are relatively high, pushing production costs up. On the other hand, feed producers cannot easily raise feed prices due to stiff competition combined with weak demand. Therefore, their profit margins this year will fall.
Feed dominated our continuous coverage once again this week. No surprise as it is the first and most important component in our value chain. Last week I addressed hope on the horizon for grain exports out of Ukraine following the July 23 assault on Odessa. On August 1, we saw 260,000 tons of corn leave Odessa for Lebanon. It may not reach Asia just yet, but it has tempered global prices. With price and disease challenges, producers are always looking for solutions.
Feed is a major route for swine disease transmission. Feed that is contaminated with viral pathogens, even at trivial levels, could significantly increase the probability of infection with high morbidity and mortality rates. In this podcast, Andrew Yersin and Alex De Leon from Kemin Industries discuss the use of formaldehyde-based feed mitigants as a feed additive to prevent diseases transmitted via feed. They address: • How organic acids offer safety to pigs and consumers • The inclusion of organic acids in the feed do not present adverse effect on the pigs’ feed intake and growth performance. • Using organic acids as pathogen mitigants can help enhance feed biosecurity. Dr Andrew Yersin is Senior Vice President, Quality Assurance & Monogastric Technical Service, Kemin Industries in the US. Dr Alex De Leon is currently the Head of Technical Services at Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health, Asia Pacific. Both have strong backgrounds and knowledge of gut health, veterinary nutrition, and feed formulations.
Grain prices dropped 6% last Friday, July 22, signaling hope of softening food prices. But the ink had barely dried on the agreement signed by UN Chief Antonio Guterres and Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan, to reopen Ukrainian ports for grain exports when these hopes were dashed. The light went out on Mr Guterres statement that the agreement was ‘a beacon on the Black Sea’, when Russian missiles ravaged the port of Odessa, early on Saturday. The industry returned to that hard place and high prices. But shipments are expected to begin within the next few days. There is hope yet!
Battling rising food prices seems to be the order of the day for governments globally. Even though Asia is said to be somewhat shielded, the fact remains that prices are still rising in the region, while economies continue to stagger for a post Covid-19 balance.
Inflationary pressure has placed a pause on discretionary spending and the squeeze in demand is now beginning to show in essential items such as eggs and poultry meat, the cheapest of animal protein. This will also impact the Horeca sector, that is trying to raise its head from pandemic related closures.
As we hit the second half of the year and several markets see transitions between old and new crops with higher ending stocks predicted for the second quarter. Asian Agribiz talks to Amit Sachdev, Regional Consultant, South Asia for the US Grains Council to find out what this means for grain markets in Asia and how do buyers in the region get their hands on some much needed grain.
This podcast will touch on:
-what to expect in grain markets in Q2 2022
-trends in freight
-how to overcome high freight cost
The era of high production costs is here to stay, well at least for the rest of the year it seems. From Thailand’s high pork prices to the high cost of sacrificial cattle in Bangladesh for Eid-al-Adha this year, the signs are clear. Input costs are too high to pass on. Profit margins have shrunk and consumer demand is expected to be subdued with high meat prices. But this is not the end of the road.
However, companies which adapt with new technology and forge ahead can still beat prices down in the long run, opening up new opportunities for the future.
The livestock industry in Asia is under numerous pressures from many angles, even as growth is on the cards. But these challenges are presenting opportunities for producers to embrace modern protocols. In the pig sector in Asia for instance, we see investments in greenfield projects, biosecurity, better genetics, and processing. Investment in genetics and automation in particular is seeing improved yields, controlled labor costs, and a reduction in wastage.
Even as ASF lingers, it does not appear to pose as much a threat as it did when it first surfaced. Plotting a path out of the pandemic and ASF, we see a growing effort towards clean and modern protocols.
Automation is on the rise in the meat and meat processing industry, with more companies in Asia investing in automated machines and solutions. While large multinational companies are investing heavily in technology to boost their productivity, smaller companies are not moving fast enough. Meanwhile, there are not enough professionals like veterinarians, animal husbandry workers and engineers who have knowledge of data analysis and technology. Hence, one of the major challenges facing the industry is technology education and digital upskilling.
In this podcast, Gordon Butland addresses:
- Automation and technology adoption in the meat industry
- Opportunities and challenges in adopting the technology
- Opportunities in online, direct-to-consumer protein sales
- Alternative protein market outlook
Gordon Butland is Director at G&S Agriconsultants.
In Asia, alternative protein is almost becoming mainstream, with many meat producers now introducing their own brands into their retail channels. There are many reasons for this apart from the fact that many Asians have for generations embraced a vegetarian or vegan diet, on a regular or intermittent basis. From our market intelligence, we recognize price points, convenience and localization of flavors that have led to this adoption.
Malaysia’s ban on poultry exports to Singapore beginning June 1 has set the industry across the region aflutter while Malaysian producers have gone into a tailspin. Malaysia supplies up to one-third of Singapore’s requirements. Singapore authorities swung into action to ensure no lapse in supply, addressing potential imports of chilled chicken from Thailand, and Australia, as well as frozen chicken from the US and Brazil. At the same time, the Singapore Food Authority also encouraged consumers to switch to other sources of proteins and to buy only what they need. But what’s more telling is the opportunity this has raised with other potential supply sources in the region.
Alternative proteins, especially plant-based options, are gaining traction in Asia and particularly in Thailand. Plant-based options are becoming mainstream due to the rise in pandemic-related food safety, health, and sustainability concerns. Thai Union (TU) is one of the companies, which see opportunities in this arena. The company launched its plant-based ‘OMG meat’ brand last year, tapping consumer demand for alternative proteins. TU is optimistic about the prospect of this product category, but notes that it is crucial to improve the taste, texture, and nutritional value of plant-based proteins.
In this podcast, Maarten Geraets addresses:
- Business opportunities for plant-based proteins in Thailand and Asia.
- The main challenges in the plant-based proteins market.
- Price gap between meat and alternative proteins and its implications.
- Thai Union’s plan for plant-based proteins and the company’s open innovation model.
Maarten Geraets is Managing Director of Thai Union Group's alternative proteins division.
Already challenged with rising production costs, animal protein producers in Asia are also being burdened by diseases.
China has reported a recent FMD outbreak to the World Organization for Animal Health on June 10, after the 21 pigs in a slaughterhouse in Wuzhou tested positive for the virus. Meanwhile, the disease continues to wreak havoc among Indonesia’s cattle herd, endangering too its pig industry.
Meanwhile, Vietnam, Nepal, and China are feeling the pinch from avian influenza. Vietnam has reported the highly pathogenic H5N1 among unvaccinated flocks in Quang Tri province. In Nepal, AI has led to the loss of up to 2 million commercial layers and 1 million commercial broilers, discouraging many farmers from restocking.
Even more concerning is the fatal H5N6 AI strain reported in China, which infected a 49-year-old man after visiting a live poultry market days before being ill. He later died. So far this year, China has reported 14 human cases of H5N6. China has also confirmed two human cases of H3N8.
A bit of positive news. While ASF continues to hound producers in China, Southeast Asia, and South Asia, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. Recently, Vietnam announced the commercialization of the ASF vaccine developed by Navetco. Besides Navetco, Dabaco and Avac also plan to commercialize their ASF vaccine this year.
We are excited about the Asian Meat Summit our first in-person event in a long while, which will take place on June 15 in Bangkok, Thailand. Presented in conjunction with ProPak Asia 2022, it is headlined ‘Meeting the changing tastes, habits and attitudes of the evolving meat consumer’. It would be of particular interest to meat and alternative protein producers, processors, and retailers. A key segment at the Summit would be on ‘Alternative protein and the evolving Asian consumer’. Led by Dr Diana Bogueva from the University of Sydney, she will address the growing demand as well as challenges in this spectrum, and what needs to be addressed.
Managing the health of cage free layers is not that different from managing regular layers. According to Mike Button, Consultant of Veterinary Health International, a good health management system include:
- Balancing production costs – why although it is higher compared to commercial production, consumer demand translates to a willingness to pay a premium.
- Health management is a collaborative effort – from feed suppliers to transporters to biosecurity management at the farm.
- Training and labor costs are part of overall health management costs as cage free production requires different skill sets.
- Main challenges include the environment and how well the birds are trained. Litter handling, bathing, and pecking are part of health management to be considered and to avoid excessive floor or dirty eggs.
Mike has been in the livestock industry for over 35 years and is experienced in all areas of business management, sales, marketing, team leadership and production. He has been instrumental in developing new markets, new distributors and new products in the UK and international markets. In poultry, his in-depth knowledge covers breeders, commercial and cage free layers in rearing, health/husbandry management and bio-security sectors.
The seafood industry in Asia is seeing recovery following restrictions during the pandemic, driven by growing demand for value-added seafood in the US, EU, and China. The soaring demand for fishery and aquaculture products has positioned seafood as the most traded animal protein.
However, the industry is seeing record high prices for many species due to challenges in international trade, continued lockdowns in China, high production cost, and diseases in aquaculture.
The most challenging part of animal protein production today is rising production costs which has been exacerbated recently by the Covid-19 pandemic, supply chain challenges, and the Russia-Ukraine war.
With input costs often beyond the control of pig industry players, improving production efficiencies is critical to temper the impacts of rising production costs.
Yanbin Shen, Director of Technical Services at APC Inc discusses with Asian Agribiz on how producers can enhance efficiencies during these challenging times, and what solutions APC offers to help them achieve this.
Despite the challenges, there is a happy buzz as the industry awakes and progresses with consolidation, modernization, and technology adoption. This weekend will see the opening of IFFA 2022, the premier global meat exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany, while Bangkok, Thailand is set to start hosting live exhibitions once more. From June 15-18, Informa Markets will host Propak Asia 2022. Asian Agribiz will present the Asian Meat Summit from June 15-17 at this event. Exhibitions aside, we are also seeing astute investments and projects afoot, even as producers work towards environmental consciousness, shorter supply chains and expansion.
In this podcast, Dr Olivier Decamp, Group Technical Director at Grobest discusses the opportunities and constraints in reducing the aquaculture sector’s dependence on fishmeal.
Dr Olivier said the growth of this sector has created growing demand for fishmeal over the past decade. However, fishmeal production is facing many challenges. Hence, the need to replace fishmeal with alternative protein sources for sustainability.
According to Dr Olivier, it is important to understand fishmeal substitutes. It is not only about the nutrients provided by the substitutes but also the attractiveness and palatability and whether this is on par with or better than fishmeal.
Supply chain disruptions ranging from diseases to war are bombarding Asia’s animal protein industry. These are already displaying short-term and long-term impacts, the most obvious being rising production costs.
Feed and animal protein producers around the region are scrambling to address these challenges: asking the government for support and subsidies, turning to alternative ingredients, and boosting local production of raw materials are just some of their efforts.
In the meantime, production costs and, subsequently, retail prices are still rising, with worrying consequences including industry contractions and reduced consumption.
How the industry will fare this year is still up in the air, but saving graces include integration for better efficiencies and value-addition and automation to address volatilities.
The last two years have seen crisis after crisis affect global meat supply chains. Asia which is home to some of the biggest meat producers as well as consumers have been forced to adapt to change fast, simply to keep afloat. Asian Agribiz talks to Christopher Omiecinski, Meat Sale Director for the Asia Pacific at Marel to understand the challenges as well as the opportunities ahead.
This podcast will touch on:
• latest trends in investments into meat processing plants
• short and long term impacts of continuous supply chain disruptions
• trends in the primary as well as further processing meat products market
The livestock industry has been on the receiving end for unsustainable practices and environment unfriendly emissions.
This has driven the industry to step up and whiten this image through innovations and better practices and systems. Many may think that with the industry in a state of flux, this may not be the right time to invest in decarbonizing operations. But Asia is in a sweet spot now to do this, as the industry consolidates, modernizes, and embraces sustainability and sound production systems.
We see how companies like Universal Robina Corp and Biotech Farms from the Philippines and Widodo Makmur Perkasa in Indonesia are driving this agenda.
In this podcast, Asian Agribiz talks to Benny Chng of SGInnovate to get a venture capitalist’s perspective about technology adoption in the animal protein sector in the region. He discusses drivers of growing meat consumption, new technologies (precision farming, blockchain, black soldier fly larvae, and alternative proteins), and challenges in adopting the technologies.
Note: This podcast was recorded in January 2022 and Mr Chng was interviewed in his capacity as Assistant Director, Investments at SGInnovate. He has since moved on to another role.
Disease and supply challenges in the pig sector in the past few years may have been bitter, but this has resulted in dramatic changes to the industry landscape in Asia. While not quite out of the woods yet, we see producers adopting numerous measures to lift productivity.
Consolidation too has offered a scale to justify niche offerings, automation, enhance biosecurity and invest in modern farming and strong genetics. Together, these strengthened producers are beginning to realize profits.
We are at a critical crossroad with food prices as breadbaskets globally are being upended. The pivotal products food, fuel and cooking oil are spiking beyond reach, causing consumers to cut back and economies to tip.
For mid-income earners, this may be frustrating but for others below this bracket, it may signal a real and possibly devastating crisis. But our industry has proven its agility to respond fast and kindly to these challenges. Food is not discretionary spending so how are producers addressing this?
For many years now, PRRS has been one of the most economically devastating pig diseases globally. Despite the availability of vaccines and improving biosecurity protocols, pig producers worldwide lose billions of dollars annually because of the disease.
Thus, the development of a PRRS-resistant pig, announced by the University of Missouri in the US in 2015, is a breakthrough for the global pig industry. But seven years later, the PRRS-resistant pig remains under research, still at arm’s length from commercial production.
In this podcast, Asian Agribiz talks to David Casey, Asia Product Performance Director at PIC Inc to find out how the PRRS-resistant pig came about, where the current research is, and importantly, will the PRRS-resistant pig be found in commercial production soon.
Beginning May 11 and running for three consecutive Wednesdays, Asian Agribiz will stream its popular Layer Feed Quality Conference. As always, top on our mission is to offer insights and solutions, backed by local trials, that are both valuable and reliable, to help producers in the region raise efficiency, productivity, and profitability. In this era of rising feed costs, the scramble for solutions is intense. The search for viable alternatives that are locally available is gaining ground. We also look at how some producers are progressing.
In this podcast, Budi Tangendjaja, Technical Consultant at US Grains Council, discusses how the Russia-Ukraine war has impacted the supply, demand, and prices of feed grains including corn, wheat, and soybean, in Southeast Asia.
According to him, the situation is complicated since logistics disruptions are still a concern. Besides, the US’ policy to increase biodiesel production has driven soybean meal prices up further.
Finally, Dr Tangendjaja recommends that feed producers in the region identify available alternative ingredients to reduce their feed production costs.
We are still on prices and cost-push inflation,which is raising raw material prices, cost of production, and ultimately food prices. Oil prices, supply shortages and disruptions are all coming together to plague producers and consumers. The price of war, growing sanctions, commodity rates and inflation are laying Asia’s economy exposed to global vagaries while consumers hold their breath and tighten their purse strings once again. But there are some ideas for raising productivity and cutting losses.
The Russia-Ukraine crisis has had a disruptive effect on Asian supply chains and grain markets, while dragging the global economy into chaos. Asian Agribiz talks to J Y Chow from Mizuho Bank to find out how the challenges in the feed and animal protein industry can be dealt with and how to prepare moving forward.
The podcast touches on:
- Grain markets and pricing in Asia
- Impact of food inflation on the meat industry
- Alternative feed and protein solutions
The top concern among feedmillers and producers this week has been Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and how this may destabilize feed prices once again. While the constant resets are tiring, they are inevitable and quite likely will encourage regional trade and the use of alternative feed ingredients.
As economies in Asia slowly reopen and producers gear up to embrace pent-up demand, what’s worrying is a possible deceleration in consumption once again, if animal protein prices rise again because of feed prices.
Keeping pathogens out of animal feed is an overwhelming task that needs a lot of planning and assessment. Asian Agribiz talks to Dr Simon Carlton from Anitox to demystify this process. He is responsible for customer technical support to help improve both feed biosecurity and milling efficiency in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Russia and Asia Pacific for Anitox.
The podcast will touch on:
- How bad feedmill design can contribute to biosecurity risks
- The use of in-feed mitigants to reduce the spread of pathogens
- Focusing on recontamination and cross contamination at the feedmill
After the start stop mode in the economy last year, producers recoiled to review strategy. With economies reopening, although conservatively in Asia, confidence levels are running higher. Producers that Asian Agribiz continuously speak to say that this time, their plans are not likely to get derailed. They have deeper knowledge of the market and the hurdles and can be more definitive in their strategy. But first, they need a winsome threesome in balancing demand, supply, and pricing. Demand has contracted alongside incomes, while disease and feed prices have been a tail-spinner for supply and cost.
The past two years have been tough for Asia's livestock industry with many challenges resulting from the double scourge of ASF and Covid-19.
David John Whitehead, Chairman of Mavin Group, said the Group has survived thanks to many effective and creative solutions put in place during the pandemic.
However, he believes producers should learn from the challenges to prepare for the future, and adapt to the new trends that are driving the industry, such as consumer habits and environmental concerns.
Moving forward, he still has confidence in a positive future and progress for the animal protein industry.
When Asian Agribiz organized the ‘Living with African Swine Fever’ virtual conference last year, it was with the insight that we are not going to see the virus vaporize and disappear anytime soon. The learning and understanding delivered by industry professionals then, is now helping producers in Asia recalibrate and grow. We are seeing life is returning to the pig sector and while it is unfortunate that may smaller producers have had to exit, consolidation, growth and modernization are reaping rewards.
In this second part, Vincent Guyonnet, Managing Director at FFI Consulting and past speaker of Asian Agribiz’s Layer Feed Quality Conference, says the time is right for Southeast Asian egg producers to innovateand invest in branding and packaging.
Dr Guyonnet also suggests the producers invest in egg processing to enjoy price and supply stability. “The potential is great as there are only few egg-processing plants in the region,” he says.
On environmental sustainability, Dr Guyonnet says producers should address the issue beginning with feed because almost 70% of production emissions come from feed. Therefore, producers should find ways to improve the feed conversion ratio.
Finally, Dr Guyonnet addresses the importance of modern precision farming and automation and their link to production costs, animal health, food safety, and sustainability.
From recent news reports, it appears that the feed sector in Asia is bracing for another challenging year. Our Feedmill Construction Report 2021 registered stalled expansion plans and rising prices led by freight charges and supply disruption. We see no respite on the horizon. While Alltech’s Agri-Food Outlook 2022 acknowledged a 2.3% increase in feed production globally, mainly in China, most countries have seen contraction in flocks/herds and feed production. This in part is a result of decline in consumption as prices rise.
As home to 670 million people, Southeast Asia offers a huge opportunity for the egg industry. However, there are challenges for the industry to grow and develop.
In this podcast, Vincent Guyonnet, Managing Director at FFI Consulting and past speaker of Asian Agribiz’s Layer Feed Quality Conference, discusses opportunities in the region particularly in Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand.
In grabbing the opportunities, Dr Guyonnet suggests egg producers collaborate to increase market volume through nutrition and egg consumption campaigns, among others.
On challenges, he cites disease as a constant reminder for producers to keep strengthening and improving biosecurity.
Last but not the least, Dr Guyonnet offeres his analytical and objective view on the cage-free movement in the region.
We are coming up to the Lunar New Year on February 1. In usual tradition families will gather for a reunion dinner on the eve. The prosperity meal, however, may look quite different this year, with food prices inching onto dining tables. In Singapore, the fractured supply chain has driven up meat and seafood prices by 40-45%. Local restaurant owners said prices of some beef brands have almost doubled in the past six months and customers have cancelled festive food orders. In other countries, we see consumption and production contracting on higher prices, while processors India that have invested in delivery and value addition and now reaping the benefits.
Producers blame vaccination failure when diseases occur in farms, but often, it is the handling/administration/procedures that are the cause. In this podcast with Meliyana of Asian Agribiz, Jessica Lee of Ceva Animal Health discusses:
- Why to vaccinate and how vaccines work
- The right time to vaccinate
- How should vaccines be handled/stored
- Why vaccination may not be effective
- Vaccine technology in the future
Jessica Lee is Veterinary Services Manager at Ceva Animal Health Asia, overseeing veterinary services related affairs in the region. She had experience in hatchery vaccination equipment, product registration, field veterinary services and vaccination support in hatchery.
Food prices are rising and adding to the supply chain and retail challenges that producers and consumers are facing. Government initiated price controls, while good for consumers, are posing a migraine of sorts to producers. Indonesia which has in the recent past courted ‘agriculture nationalism’ and self-sufficiency, is finding local produce like beef and corn, more expensive than imports. The same is seen in the Philippines, and in India, with pork imports from the US now allowed.
The cheapest protein, eggs, is struggling in this space too with retail prices rising in Thailand and production costs higher than retail prices in Indonesia.
Food waste in the meat industry has substantial environmental and economic impacts. Estimates suggest that 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food that is not consumed. Food waste is also a growing issue for producers and is one where decisions on production machinery can have a significant impact on overall efficiency.
In this podcast, Grant Parsons addresses:
- Food and meat waste issues in Asia amid the pandemic
- High technology equipment and packaging that reduce food waste
- Food waste management strategies
- How food waste reduction improves the company’s bottom line
Grant Parsons is APAC Leader - Protein Solutions, Primary & Secondary Processing at JBT.
Economies in Asia are now navigating a new course after a two-year setback from Covid-19 closures of borders and businesses. But even as reopening proceeds, it is with a sense of caution. The ‘revenge spending’ that we saw this time last year, has abated.
Inflation has hit almost every sector and pork production in Asia, more than other meats, has suffered a tailspin, with a resurgence of ASF, lower selling prices and higher production cost. But our top picks are the confirmation of ASF in Thailand and the progress with ASF vaccine research and the path to commercial production.
The animal protein sector is said to contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions and therefore, climate change. But it is also a key component of food security.
This is especially true in Southeast Asia, where challenges continue to hound the animal protein industries where both big and small players play a crucial role. Understandably, improving productivity and enhancing efficiencies are key goals in achieving sustainability. But at the same time, resilience in the face of changing environmental and climatic conditions is also critical to survival.
Forum for the Future, a global sustainability non-profit, is working to help bring about a balanced system in Southeast Asia that could address issues facing animal protein producers in the region.
In this podcast, Lesley Mitchell, Associate Director for Sustainable Nutrition at Forum for the Future, talks to Isa Q Tan about what, through its Animal Protein Southeast Asia challenge, the agency is doing to help achieve this.
The big question that looms as heavy as a laden cloud over us is ‘how will the pandemic play out in our industry?’ in 2022. As The Economist put it, some things will ‘cancel out’. 2021 brought immense challenges but also some semblance of coping in the new norm, with virtual meetings, greater adoption of technology, data analytics even to monitor livestock disease threats, biosecurity breaches and much more. Some things that will cancel out (partly at least) are travel, in-person events and wet markets, giving rise to greater online engagement, modernization, and safety protocols.
There is a new Asian consumer in the market, whose palate has changed thanks to education, awareness, and disposable incomes. These new eating behaviors are redirecting the food industry towards aspects such as nutritional and health values, food safety and traceability, together with animal welfare and sustainability.
Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University in the US and the President of Silvertip Management, Dave Donnan says producers have the capacity to steer the industry towards good food production practices according to changing consumer preferences. We captured these valuable insights in the podcast:
- Sustainability is not always at the forefront of purchasing decisions. Taste and price are key drivers of purchase decisions.
- Producers should offer consumers transparency through traceability and labelling.
- Purchasing and sourcing is shifting as producers/processors look for sustainable sources. The focus on commodity buying and cheapest source is shifting to reliable and quality supply.
- Nutritional value of food has become vital post-pandemic. Producers need to look at lean meats, less fat more protein and reformulate to win over health-conscious consumers.
- With e-commerce and the drive towards sustainability should be conscious of food waste and environment friendly packaging.
David Donnan is Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University and President of Silvertip Management. He has significant experience in the agriculture, food, and retail industries, having run companies, managed food plants and consulted to leading global retail and consumer product companies.
The poultry industry in Southeast Asia has been heavily impacted by the Covid pandemic. Poultry production declined in 2021, for the second year in a row. However, the outlook for 2022 signals improving production and consumption, Rabobank said. Supported by rising vaccination rates, reopening economies, and the resumption of international travel, market conditions are set to improve with higher consumption. Still, costs will remain high, with feed, labor, freight, and energy costs expected to rise.
In this podcast, Nan-Dirk Mulder addresses:
- The outlook for the poultry industry in Southeast Asia in 2022
- Opportunities and challenges of the poultry industry
- The outlook for chicken exports in Thailand and Vietnam
- How producers should adapt their business amid higher input costs
Nan-Dirk Mulder is Senior Global Specialist - Animal Protein at Rabobank.
Despite the many challenges around us, and the Omicron variant in the mix, the global economy appears to be in recovery mode albeit with caution. Still, this signals hope for the year ahead. As we ease into 2022, we fall back on our extensive news reports from the ground up to offer you a glimpse of what Asian Agribiz anticipates in the year ahead. This week we offer glimpses of the outlook for feed, farming, labor, growth through consolidation and technology that will uplift biosecurity.
The pig industry is increasingly facing consumer concerns about the environmental impact of its current production system. This has forced producers to focus on sustainability.
In this podcast, Abe Huisman shares what factors enhance sustainability in pig production, and how this helps pig producers improve performance, especially during this period of high feed prices and logistics challenges.
Abe Huisman is Director R&D for the BU Swine of Hendrix Genetics and is responsible for gearing up the global breeding program, implementation of new technologies and realization of maximum progress of the full product portfolio.
Egg handling systems were designed for egg producers to increase productivity and efficiency and add value to their eggs. End-consumers also get the benefit of buying uniform, graded, clean, and safe eggs.
Dimitri Goossens, General Manager at Moba Asia explains:
- The uptake of egg handling systems in Southeast and South Asia
- Initiatives and collaborations to raise awareness of the value potential which would in turn favor the adoption of egg handling systems
- Lessons learned from countries that have adopted egg handling systems
- Impact of Covid-19 on automation
Asia has long led in vegetarianism and vegan diets, mostly for cultural and religious reasons. Our menus and offerings are diverse, nourishing and now, more than before, almost ready to eat. When plant-based offerings began to muster hype in the last five years in Asia, at a ridiculous price too, the uptake was mainly by the adventurous and economically wealthy.
Now however, recognizing the growing opportunities in Asia and the new consumer’s penchant for plant-based options, more large animal protein producers are jumping on the vegetarian and vegan bandwagon.
Their offerings are innovative and are aimed at mirroring the meat-eating experience both in taste and form. Better still, the pricing is a lot more digestible and the offerings spell ‘convenience’.
Disease prevention management is a priority for producers. There are multiple diseases, which contribute to economic losses. The availability of animal health data advances real-time tracking of diseases and enables outbreak prediction. With big data, producers can raise value by identifying actionable information, enabling decision making that promotes efficiency, reduces cost and potential risk.
Suresh Neethirajan offers Asian Agribiz’s community insight into how big data helps in detecting animal diseases. He addresses:
- A description of big data
- Its role in detecting animal diseases
- Tools commonly used for big data analytics
- Challenges in accepting and implementing big data programs
- How big data can revolutionize the animal health industry?
Suresh Neethirajan is Associate Professor in the Animal Sciences Department, Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands. His background is in bioengineering and sensor technologies, and he is focused on solutions that improve animal health and welfare through digital technologies.
Global pork prices have contracted sharply – a good indication that industry recovery has outpaced demand. Producers, however, are not happy with the decline because their input costs continue to rise with the need for higher levels of biosecurity and feed costs, to keep herds safe and well nourished.
With growing labor constraints across Southeast Asia in particular, the need for automation is strong. This added cost will pressure production margins further and could also slow herd growth and induce further consolidation.
The focus on food safety coupled with intermittent Salmonella outbreaks in the region has prompted poultry producers to vaccinate their chicks, especially layers. Western supermarkets have also pushed egg brands to adopt Salmonella vaccinations. This is expected to catch on in Asia. Dr Nicholas Phuah of Elanco said Salmonella contamination can be minimized with early vaccination, which reduces the chances of contamination in the gut. Dr Phuah, Elanco’s Animal Health Technical Manager for Vaccines in Asia Pacific, has been active in the poultry sector for 20 years. He provides technical support and assists customers with trouble shooting, training and support services.
Key takeaways:
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Salmonella vaccinations are available for layer chicks and can reduce or eliminate different strains of the bacteria in the gut.
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Salmonella contamination can happen at any point in the egg or broilers journey to end consumers.
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A good vaccine program should have thorough pre and follow-up measures including biosecurity to reduce contamination.
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Modern Salmonella vaccinations for chicks can be less stressful with easier methods such as via drinking water or feed.
Feed ingredient prices and import challenges continue to rock animal protein production in Asia. But producers continue to find ways to balance production costs with new formulations and regionally available alternatives.
That is possibly why Asian Agribiz’s Broiler Feed Quality Conference 2021 which concludes on November 24, has been a hit with regional producers. The interest in alternative ingredients, AGP-free production and new formulations and enzymes, among others, has been overwhelming.
Still, the impact that the pandemic, production, cost, and demand has had in some countries has been grim and we can only hope for a better outlook in 2022 and beyond.
Sustainability is now a buzzword in animal protein production. Yet there remains some misunderstanding or misconceptions about what sustainability means and what it entails.
Peter Fisher, President of Aviagen Asia, sat down with Asian Agribiz to discuss the three pillars of sustainability—economic, environmental, and social—and the importance of balancing the three in broiler production.
“Sustainability is good for business,” he said. “I think [companies] have always looked at the various elements of sustainability, but more and more, industries across the board have been looking at it in a much more holistic way.”
For more details, listen to or download the podcast
The emptiness and fatigue caused by constant movement of goalposts and tweaking of strategies during the pandemic seems to be settling. The companies that have survived the strain are now leaning back a little, enjoying the happier P&L’s that are rolling in for the first three quarters of 2021. Our kudos and respect go to our community that has kept the population nourished throughout the challenges, surmounting roadblocks, and staying afloat amid supply chain disruptions and rising production costs. In the past week, we recorded positive notes from several companies on revenue growth and expansion – an encouraging indication of what 2022 could hold!!
Poultry production is cost sensitive, and feed is the single biggest cost. It is prudent to remain flexible regarding feed ingredients. Both broilers and layers are adaptable and can utilize nutrients from a wide range of feedstuffs. In Southeast Asia, poultry diets traditionally have utilized corn and soybean meal. But they could perform equally with alternative grains. Still, producers need to understand the nutrient composition of the alternatives and formulate the diets accordingly.
In this podcast, Tony Edwards addresses:
- Alternative options in poultry diets amid high prices of corn and soybean meal
- The benefits of wheat, barley, sorghum, canola, sunflower meal in poultry diets
- Feed formulation in broiler and layer diets
- Supply of alternative feed ingredients from Australia
Tony Edwards is a feed grain technical consultant to AEGIC (Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre).
Supply chain disruptions that have plagued the industry are expected to ease in coming months as global economic recovery gathers pace. We already see signs of an uptick in demand for animal protein as lockdown restrictions ease. However, what’s noticeable is that with supply constraints during the pandemic, producers in Asia took steps to reconfigure their demand and supply channels.
Getting good quality feed is a constant concern for livestock producers and delivering the right feed according to what the customer wants is an even bigger challenge. One of the key tools in the armour of a feedmiller is a working ‘Feed Quality Control Program’ but this often needs to be updated and revised to keep the wheels on the mill rolling.
Asian Agribiz spoke to veteran feedmiller John Smillie formerly from the Canadian Feed Research Centre, to find out about what factors are crucial when measuring feed ‘quality’ in a feedmill. In this podcast, he touches on:
- Factors which determine feed/pellet quality
- The details that we miss when designing successful feed quality control programs
- Does your choice of machinery matter?
- Who holds the key to a successful program?
Several messages relating to sustainability and decarbonization of animal protein production in Asia have come our way. What is evident is that the biggest seismic shift globally in food trends, is happening in Asia. By 2030, Asians will be spending up to USD 8.4 trillion on food and 55% of the purchase decisions will be guided by conscious behavior related to health and environmental awareness. A key trigger in our industry in the past week has been food inflation. It has raised the heckles of consumers and producers prompting associations and governments to step in with potential solutions to minimize the impact.
Disease and high costs hamper the competitiveness of the Asian shrimp farming industry. Still, it is at a stage where sustainability must be concerned.
In this podcast, Marc Campet shares how functional feed can alleviate disease and environmental challenges at shrimp ponds. He also addresses the savings shrimp producers can realize from using this new feed line.
Marc Campet oversees aquaculture commercial development for Asia at ADM. He has been with the company for 20 years and has been based in Vietnam since 1995. Marc has held various positions from the technical field to R&D, and he currently manages ADM’s aquaculture product portfolio and coordinates innovation in the region.
Climate change, the nudge towards clean energy and environmental awareness are coming together to give livestock agriculture a ‘green moment’ and Asia is in a sweet spot currently, as it grows. As countries learn to live within a Covid-19 endemic state and the livestock industry swings back to life, producers who have survived the crisis are gravitating towards sustainable farming and processing systems, in response to the demands of the growing affluent Asian consumer.
Higher shipping costs and longer delivery times have further fractured supply chains. Ports in Asia are congested amid logistics disruptions, container shortages, stringent checks and Covid-19 infections. Given this situation, some producers have tuned their focus to regional markets.
In this podcast, Rupert Claxton, a consultant discusses:
- Regional market potential in Asia
- Opportunities and challenges of the target markets
- The potential for regional trade
- Strategies to regain market share
- Future situation for the industry
Rupert Claxton is Meat Director at Gira. He has worked as a strategy consultant in the food sector since joining Gira in 2003, with a high level of specialization in global meat markets, especially in the developing world.
The way poultry meat is purchased and consumed in Asia is changing. Prompted by the pandemic, the shift away from traditional live bird markets has been swift. Consumers are leaning towards convenience, food safety and health. This has led to greater technology adoption in primary processing. In this podcast on how the poultry processing landscape is evolving, Pete van Poorten, Meyn Global Food Processing Technology’s Global Product Manager and Mukanjay Singh, Meyn India’s Director highlight how:
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There is a paradigm shift with wet market purchase being quickly replaced by clean, hygienic, processed retail products. Food safety has taken precedence for consumers.
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The Covid-19 pandemic made both producers and processors realize the volatility of the poultry market. Whether it’s Covid or other avian influenza, stakeholders cannot afford ongoing price fluctuations, thus an efficient processing and storage set up is needed.
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Lockdowns raised labor issues, leading to more demand and adoption of automation to stem acute supply shortage.
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Rapid increase in demand due to population growth is imminent and the best way to move forward is by adopting technology, which can also help control production wastage while offering value to less popular cuts.
Mr van Poorten’s vast background as process technologist and quality manager at meat processing plants makes him an expert in optimizing automation in this sector. Meanwhile, Mr Mukanjay’s broad network in India and Sri Lanka gives him an edge in international management, market access, strategic alliances and business development.
Livestock, feed, and meat producers wait in anticipation as we enter the last quarter of 2021, hoping for a change in the current economic and social situation. Our homepage feature this week, focused on the grave issue of food inflation. This combined with supply chain disruptions, labor crunches and rising feed prices, are fanning concern among producers, of even higher production costs. But amidst these challenges, we see the feed sector in Vietnam morphing to take on a regional supplier role, while a joint venture between De Heus and Janu Putra is on track to develop a safe chicken supply chain and help meet growing broiler PS demand in Indonesia.
Technology development and poultry producers’ need for higher quality day-old chicks have led to changes in the poultry hatchery industry in the region.
In this podcast, Bas Kanters discusses:
- The migration from multi-stage to single-stage incubation systems and factors driving it.
- New post-hatch feeding concept and its benefits.
- Asian market’s response towards the new concept.
Mr Kanters is Sales Director Asia at Royal Pas Reform.
Across the region, we see poultry supply chains contracting and producers readjusting their business models to swing sustainably in the current economic and social environment. While the pig sector was the forerunner due to ASF, our ground-up reports in these past few weeks show similar contractions in feed and meat retail. As lockdowns continue to wreak havoc, we see chicken meat consumption and prices tumbling, and in some instances supply surpassing demand.
Energy costs have steadily increased for livestock farmers across Asia, making this a good time to think about how better design and renewable energy sources can increase efficiencies and save money.
Asian Agribiz spoke to Jaap ten Have, Business Development Sales Manager of Big Dutchman Asia on how animal housing can be made more energy efficient.
This podcast touches on:
- Key areas in which energy efficiency gains can be made
- How better design can improve energy costs
- The ways in which farmers can choose the right renewable energy source that works best for them.
Many things have changed around consumption, production, and marketing of animal protein products in the last two years. When ASF hit the region, the scramble for alternative animal protein reached new levels and we saw investments in poultry and duck production, as well as conversion of some pig farms into duck operations. Companies the likes of Japfa Comfeed, CP Foods, Mavin, Leong Hup and smaller players like Sentra, Go Cong and many more have bucked the evolving consumption trends, focusing on the new-age consumer. They have s pushed forward with novel products, packaging, and digital retail offerings, triggered by the desire for convenience and restrictions imposed by the pandemic.
In Southeast Asia, there has been conservative use of corn and soy and pig producers have relied heavily on these grains. But the surge in corn and soybean meal prices has left producers looking for cost-effective alternatives. Barley, wheat and other grains have emerged as economic options. The pig is an adaptable omnivore, which can utilize a broad range of feedstuffs, but producers need to understand the nutrient content and know how to use them properly.
In this podcast, Tony Edwards addresses:
- Viable options in pig diets amid high prices of corn and soybean meal
- The benefits of barley and wheat in pig diets
- The role of enzymes in barley-based diets
- Growing demand for Australian barley from countries in Southeast Asia
- Barley supply in Australia
Tony Edwards is a feed grain technical consultant to AEGIC (Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre).
The waves continue to crest and dip in the animal protein industry as producers navigate rocky paths with both bravado and caution. In recent weeks we have seen some light for the pig sector with the advent of an antiviral drug that shows promise, fewer ASF outbreaks and growth among producers. At the same time, feed prices continue to appreciate, worsened by the projected delay in grain shipments as a result of Hurricane Ida.
Studies have shown that feed and feed raw materials are potential vectors for viruses to spread to animals. Thus, a big challenge today is how to minimize the risks. In the last few years, viruses like ASF, PED, PRRS, pseudorabies, Classical Swine Fever, and even FMD, have been shown to survive in feed raw materials even during long-distance travel.
In this podcast, Scott Dee details the role feed and feed raw materials play in pathogen spread, which raw material presents the most risk, and how industry players can reduce these risks and keep their animals safe.
Dr Dee is currently Director of Applied Research at Pipestone Veterinary Services in the US. He has conducted many studies and authored papers on pigs and feed, including the initial publications on the proof of concept of PED virus transmission in feed and the transboundary survival of the ASF virus in feed. A multi-awarded industry practitioner, he earned his DVM, MS, and PhD from the University of Minnesota.
The pandemic has meant most of us have changed our business models. Some change has been by intention, others forced upon us by circumstances! Asian Agribiz paused, albeit briefly, to take stock of the situation and after gathering input from industry leaders we reset our offerings in a manner that would be most relevant to our community in Asia, and supporters of this community from abroad. This reset has been a journey of experimentation, of successes and failures, but through it all, a journey of constant improvement.
Pork demand is growing especially in countries where herds have been decimated by ASF. Supply is short and so is farmland to initiate greenfield projects with sound biosecurity
In this podcast, John Carr offers a high-rise solution for pig farms. A multi-level pig building can integrate many components from breeding, nursery, and finishing. It is equivalent to a large pig farm with a larger land surface area.
Dr Carr believes that this pig farm can offer higher biosecurity efficiency than a ground-level farm. More importantly, it addresses food supply for a residential area in a sustainable way.
Dr Carr is a well-known swine consultant in Asia, Australia, North America, Europe, and Africa. He specializes in maintaining pig health by promoting excellence in stockmanship and production practices.
With a growing number of outbreaks, Avian influenza has once again become a hot issue for Asian poultry farmers. In controlling the viral disease, good biosecurity is priority.
In this podcast, Dr Magali Charles, a biosecurity expert discusses:
- The definition of biosecurity.
- What poultry producers and farmers should know about avian influenza.
- Biosecurity measures to control the pathogen.
- Ways to convince farmers and farm operators to apply biosecurity measures.
Dr Charles is Regional (Asia Pacific) Veterinarian at broiler genetics company Cobb-Vantress.
We started 2021 on a hopeful note, only too soon to be dashed by political tensions, raging health concerns and the meddling container crisis that has thrown prices and trade into disarray. So, it is no wonder that producers who once wooed global markets that offered good premiums, are now looking inward, domestically and within the region, in search of new potential markets. We look at what Asian producers are doing to address their challenged markets.
The duck industry in Asia has been growing in spots, in response to the ASF scourge in the pig industry. In China, official statistics show that duck production has increased faster than chickens. Of course, processing equipment suppliers see potential in primary and further processing.
Arjan Schrauwen offers Asian Agribiz’s community some insights into duck processing. He addresses:
- The potential in the duck processing business in Asia
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Investment in duck processing
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Obstacles in duck processing
- What the future holds for the industry
Arjan Schrauwen is Product Manager for duck and turkey at Marel. He worked for the poultry unit for 20 years, first as a specialist in broiler evisceration and in the last 10 years, as a specialist for duck and turkey processing.
In a recent Supertrends report, Credit Suisse revealed that healthy diets cost 60% more than diets that only meet the requirements for essential nutrients, and almost 5 times as much as diets that only meet dietary energy needs. “Food companies have started to acknowledge the importance of affordable nutrition, launching new food products, for example with a higher fiber and protein content that are cheaper than similar available products”, the report stated. But are we seeing this in Asia?? The region is beset with Covid-19 challenges while producers are having to deal with rising input costs and dwindling demand for animal protein. How do you add ‘cheaper’ into this matrix?
Use of antibiotic growth promoters or AGPs is a controversial subject when it comes to residue causing antimicrobial resistance in humans. The scientific data on this has not been proven yet. But will eliminating or minimizing AGPs affect profitability of swine farmers? Asian Agribiz spoke with Elanco’s Dr Shabbir Simjee, Chief Medical Officer and Dr Roselle Cudal, Technical Consultant for Swine and discovered:
1) Residue does not necessarily cause resistance as the amounts present in the animal (or meat) would be extremely low due to several reasons such as its survivability through many processes.
2) There are different kinds of antibiotics which have been classified as medically important and non-medically important to humans. It is possible to administer non-medically important antibiotics in small doses for herds, but with good management systems.
3) Banning of AGPs in Europe was more of a precautionary measure. The US however, reclassified them and continues using non-medically important ones backed by WHO’s blessings.
4) With good awareness on how AGPs work, farmers can opt for the right antibiotics for their animals or minimize its usage (reserving for intervention purposes only), where good management practices, vaccination and holistic care are advised. The mixture of good management and the correct AGP usage will contribute to both herd and business longevity.
5) An example given was - when proper cleaning and disinfection is done in between batches of pigs occupying one building, disease transmission will become lower where the need to use medical interventions such as AGPs will also decrease.
Asia needs a whopping 130mt of feed grains a year to fulfil demand from the livestock sector. With traditional oilseed prices like soybean rising, the challenge to acquire needed stocks is becoming greater. Asian Agribiz spoke to J Y Chow, Agri Food Sector Coverage Lead and the Senior Vice-President, Asia & Oceania Corporate Banking Department of Mizuho Bank to find out what feedmillers can do to cope with the changing dynamics of the feed industry.
The podcast touches on:
- The feed protein gap
- Factors which are narrowing and widening the gap
- The alternatives at hand to help ease demand
End last week, the wet market in my neighborhood was shuttered because of Covid-19 infections and fatalities. We are seeing similar trends in the region as the circle of infections draws closer.
This time last year, the hub of infections appeared distant, and Asia seemed to have a handle on the virus. In recent weeks, more so with the Delta variant raging, we have reported a series of processing plant and slaughterhouse closures particularly in Thailand and Vietnam.
What has the push back or foot forward in these circumstances been?
More than 60 years since it was first identified, Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD), also known as Gumboro Disease, remains among the most economically important diseases in poultry production. Because of its prevalence around the world, eradication may not yet be in the offing. Controlling the disease calls for a strategy to break the ‘Gumboro Cycle’ by preventing the IBD virus from entering a farm.
In this podcast, Mel Umandal talks about IBD in more detail and discusses how the disease can be prevented and controlled.
Dr Umandal is the Veterinary Services Manager for Layers of Ceva Asia. He is a veterinary medicine graduate from the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, from where he also received his master’s degree in veterinary epidemiology. He has been a poultry practitioner for over 20 years.
Industry players are trying hard to map a new direction to ensure sustainability of their operations. The new norm is a moving target as the landscape changes and finding the balance between value and growth is a tough one.
But let’s get down to the animal protein that is the cheapest and yet offers the highest value to consumers! Eggs have been enjoying a bask in the sun lately because of price and nutritional value, among others.
Asia holds enormous potential for egg producers. According to a market report, Asia Pacific accounted for 64% of the global egg market in 2020. Eggs have a good image in Asia, and they are nutritious. Moreover, eggs are an affordable and valuable source of protein and are child friendly. To grasp the opportunity, producers should add value to eggs.
In this podcast, David Hughes addresses:
- Business opportunities in egg industry in India, China and other countries
- How to add value to eggs
- The importance of branding and marketing/how to differentiate your brand
- Category management in physical and online channels
- Potential and limitations of plant-based eggs
David Hughes, Emeritus Professor of Food Marketing at Imperial College London, United Kingdom.
We are entering a phase of intense structural and technological changes. As lockdowns persist and economies in Asia remain suppressed, producers are scaling multiple hurdles in getting meat to consumers. But we continue to believe in the agility and responsiveness of our industry professionals. Faced with labor setbacks, closure of wet markets and the horeca sector, they have turned to automation, delivery services, and product innovation that has turned dining-out to delightful ‘dining-in’.
In this podcast, Jenny Tan, Sales Manager Asia Pacific at Provisur Technologies discusses:
- The ready meal trend in Asia prompted by pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Factors driving demand for growth and innovation in the ready meal space.
- Suggestions on how meat processors in the region can respond to the trend.
- Replicating the success of South Korea in traditional ready meal export.
- How processing equipment suppliers can help meat processors leverage the trend and innovate healthy and safe ready meals.
As countries in Asia continue to wrestle with Covid-19 containment issues, livestock and meat processors are trying to find a balance in these turbulent times. The big and pressing push currently, as seen in much of our headlines, is to ensure workplace safety. That translates to ensuring staff are vaccinated against the virus. First-movers in this direction are Big Dutchman Asia, Sreeya Sewu and Nor Feed.
Asia is vulnerable to climate change and so is its agriculture industry. Still, it is at a stage where productivity rather than sustainability is key.
In this podcast, Siegfried Bank shares recent efforts made to tackle climate change challenge and greenhouse gas emission. He also discusses why livestock producers in Asia should take these issues into consideration, and what they could gain from doing so.
Dr Siegfried Bank is the owner of ChiPro GmbH, a German consulting and trading company focused on upcycling of food residues, value chain development and market access support for food and other life sciences products with sustainable origin.
As consumer awareness of animal welfare grows, group sow housing has gained acceptance. In Europe, group housing is obligatory but in Asia, conglomerates are pushing it. Moreover, group housing proves to be a better payoff in the long run. As producers like Betagro in Thailand move to end crate farrowing and invest in group housing, we look at the viability, investment and time required for such adaptation, creating a win-win situation. In this podcast Hans Hoevink, Business Development Manager Asia of Nedap Livestock Management tells the Asian Agribiz Community:
1) As consumer awareness on animal welfare and food safety grows, corporations such as Betagro and CP Foods are setting the pace for Asia by pioneering group housing. It registers high on assurance and credibility, especially post Covid-19. The consensus is that consumer influence on how animals are raised, will play a bigger part in farming practices.
2) Group housing strengthens pig health, as being in a group lowers stress and encourages good behavior such as better feed intake, more movement and increased social interactions – all together contributing to longevity in the long run.
3) Group size can start at five and be helped by the installation of electronic sow feeders. Dynamic groups can host more than 300 sows while smaller groups can take around 20-30 sows per pen.
4) Smart farming technologies that can be adapted into group sow housing include electronic sow feeding (ESF), and radio-frequency identification (RFID). ESF can optimize food intake and reduce waste. Meanwhile, RFID data collection enable micro-monitoring of animal health, revolutionizing farm management. These technologies raise standards of animal husbandry and ethical treatment of pigs at all stages of production.
5) Farmers contemplating transitions have abundant knowledge and training available from suppliers who are ready to show and tell how group housing has been successfully integrated in European countries.
The outlook may be grim as the sand shifts around us, warranting frequent strategy resets. But ours is an ‘essential’ industry and push forward, we must! While we battle with rising input costs, lower consumption, and high freight charges among others, this still is in the present. Even as they address these challenges, some companies are already investing for the future.
Precision feeding involves reducing feed and nutrient waste by only feeding the precise amount needed to reach optimum production. The pig industry has adopted this with significant results.
The process uses quality data and recipe management to ensure that each animal gets exactly what it needs. Nemie B Falconite discussed with Asian Agribiz his thoughts on how precision feeding impacts pig nutrition and how sustainability plays a role in this system.
He addresses:
- How precision feeding contributes to the efficiency of nitrogen
- How it optimizes efficiency and profitability
- The feeding program’s success parameters
- Challenges of precision feeding
- How it promotes sustainable pig production
Nemie B Falconite is part of the technical services team that supports the commercial team in the technical deployment of Cargill’s products and services. He also leads the Philippine deployment of Agriness S4 in key commercial farms.
The drag on economic recovery in the region has taken a toll on mostly small producers. While many producers started out the year with a cheerful canvas, strategies were soon upended with rising feed prices and a new Covid-19 wave. According to Yeoh Choo Guan, head of Asean global markets at UBS momentum will continue to grow in the second half of the year and beyond. As vaccinations progress in the region, it offers confidence to investors across the board.
Asia is home to 58% of millennials globally, and so represents a dynamic and captive market. They represent an important consumer group, begging the question ‘how will their meat consumption decisions impact livestock processors and how should processors adapt to stay relevant?’
In this podcast we talk to Amy Brooks, Marketing Manager of Stockyard Beef, a leading Australian exporter of grain fed beef.
Amy discusses:
- How beef processors need to adapt to sustainable practices to appeal to millennial consumers
- Why processors need to tell a better story about meat in the current market.
- How lab grown and plant-based meats are here to stay, but that does not mean, meat has had its day.
Inflation expectations are rising as are the more recent constraints brought on by the new wave of lockdowns. Economists predict that the resurgence in Covid-19 infections will compromise economic activity and spending in Q2 2021. On the upside, the more targeted lockdowns have seen greater consumer adaptation, such as online shopping, reducing the impact of spending on essentials. The question to ask is ‘How are producers responding to this consumer adaptation?’.
Asia is the world’s largest market for packaging, accounting for over 40% of global packaging consumption. The region’s packaging consumption has been driven by population growth, urbanization and a rising middle class. Perishable food packaging has seen significant growth in recent years. However, consumers today are concerned about sustainability amid rising packaging demand. Producers are trying to find solutions and meet this demand.
In this podcast, Onat Bayraktar addresses:
- The growth of online food purchasing and the need for omnichannel packaging
- A greater push towards healthy living and food safety and hygiene, accelerated by Covid-19
- Different interpretations of eco-friendly packaging
- The advantages and limitations of recyclable, plant-based, and biodegradable packaging materials
- The benefits of vacuum skin packaging and modified atmosphere packaging
Onat Bayraktar is Vice President, Asia at Sealed Air Corporation. In leading the business for Sealed Air in Asia, Mr Onat is responsible for managing the business as well as providing strategic direction for the region.
This week we carried an image with our Homepage feature that paints a picture of the current state of meat prices. It illustrates the volatile flux in prices, consistent across South and Southeast Asia, attributable in large part to rising feed costs. We noted a series of alternatives, incentives, a regional/domestic focus, diplomatic solutions, and cooperation are all coming together to keep the animal protein sector in Asia afloat.
In this podcast, Dr Xabier Arbe, Global Business Unit Head of layer genetic company H&N International, discusses:
• How Covid-19 pandemic and avian influenza outbreaks have affected trade and delivery of GP and PS in Asia.
• Outlook of the region’s egg industry in the next decade in relation to farm expansion and demand for GP and PS.
• Disease and biosecurity challenge optimizing the genetic potential of modern layers.
• Adaptation by genetic companies for cage-free egg production.
• Helping Asian layer farmers operate in a sustainable manner.
Lockdowns are widening across Asia and animal protein consumption is contracting on higher prices led by escalating feed raw material prices. Producers are cutting back on production while feed millers scramble to reformulate diets with locally available raw materials. Yet, behind the scenes we see significant capex and funding being initiated, on tangible (equipment) and intangible (software) upgrades.
It is not hard to introduce technology into poultry farming according to Evonik’s Kristof Mertens. It depends on the goals producers set to achieve like production scales, quality of products (broiler or eggs), and efficiency, while maintaining a bird’s eye view of the business using pure data. Mr Mertens is the creator of Porphyrio, an integrated management system for data collection, processing, and information analysis for modern poultry farming. In this podcast with Asian Agribiz, we find out:
• Smart farming involves using collected data to make better business decisions such as in feed strategies and even provide added value in sustainability, such as managing ammonia levels from manure. Setting business goals and achieving them is doable by using data collection and knowing how to manipulate them accordingly.
• Data information process can be easily used to adapt or diversify into different production methods, whether birds are going into live markets or for further processing, an issue in the post-pandemic market.
• Having your data in a cloud system is safe and secure. Reluctance to upload production information is unfounded, as most sensitive information from different corporations or legislative outfits together with individuals’ personal details are already in clouds.
• The difference between using data collected from self-made smart systems and using something like what Porphyrio offers is the ability to compare best practices. While collected propriety data is protected, general best practice parameters can be used as analytics for better performance in birds, translating into better profitability with the shared knowledge.
Kristof is an entrepreneur, animal, and data scientist with a mission to turn sensor data into profit for farm managers worldwide. He carries a Masters in Livestock Production and a PhD in Bioscience Engineering from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, focusing on a design for Early Warning System for Laying Hens. For his doctorate, he used advanced statistics to turn process data of livestock production to more profit with better performance.
Revenue reports began to roll in this past week and while some have been positive, we recognize cracks surfacing as the new wave of Covid-19 disrupts markets. Dine-in has once again caved in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, among others, impacting protein demand. Food is still in demand, and so is delivery, an associate in Thailand mentioned. But consumers appear to be paring down as prices rise and incomes dwindle. Cooking at home is again taking precedent.
Accurate and consistent measurement is necessary to evaluate feed ingredients and assess the true value it offers end-user. By accurately assessing nutrition profiles, a baseline for improvement can be set by nutritionists. Dr Lihong Zhang and Dr Kevin Liu offer Asian Agribiz’s community some insights and experiences on NIR technology. They address:
- How product quality can be optimized through NIRS and the accuracy NIRS offers
- How feed ingredients are calibrated
- Investment in NIR instruments
- What the future holds for the feed industry
Dr Lihong Zhang is an NIR and analytical services specialist, while Dr Kevin Liu is Vice President, both from Adisseo Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.
Cage free farming is still relatively young in Asia. There are some challenges related to accreditation, health and food safety, and economic benefits in developing this model.
In this podcast, Robert Geert discusses how these challenges can be addressed to help producers secure their investments. He also talks about the potential growth of cage-free egg production in Asia as animal welfare awareness is gaining attention in the region.
Robert Geerts is Vice President of Sales at Big Dutchman Egg Unit in Asia.
Big Dutchman has more than eight decades of experience in designing, testing, developing, and refining cage-free systems.
Just as we thought the poultry sector in Asia showed promise, the widespread effects of new Covid-19 infections have begun to take its toll, registering a red tide for many countries. Thailand which has traditionally banked on tourism to bolster consumption is struggling with egg oversupply. But the bigger bite is in the broiler sector across the region.
Even with ASF gripping the global pig industry, there is still much hope for the sector. Global population and disposable incomes are growing, and pork remains the preferred meat in many countries, especially in Asia where the biggest growth is expected to come. Robert Hoste, Senior Pig Production Economist at Wageningen Economic Research, talks with Asian Agribiz about the challenges producers face, and how by focusing on people, pig, planet, and profit—the 4Ps—they can rise beyond the challenges, achieve higher productivity, and become sustainable as they move forward.
Poultry has gained favor and fortune as a result of the African swine fever scourge in the region.
While countries like Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Malaysia have registered better prices and growing supply in recent months, Indonesia is battling a host of hurdles right across the value chain.
Mycotoxins are a serious threat to poultry health globally. In Asia, we see the increasing frequency of two or more mycotoxins in feed samples. Moreover, poultry producers in the region now must deal with the threat of masked mycotoxins, which we are just starting to understand. In this podcast, Dr Swamy Haladi talks about:
- The increasing mycotoxin threat with climate change
- the nature of the toxin and how it affects poultry health
- the challenge of dealing with masked mycotoxins and
- The best methods to measure and minimize the threat
Dr Haladi is the Global Program Manager- Mycotoxin Risk Management for Trouw Nutrition. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the study of mycotoxins and animal nutrition.
Helped by its large population and rapid urbanization, Asia’s relative importance in the global economic framework is growing. There appears an eastward shift, as well as domestic and regional focus in trade. Free-trade agreements are shoring up more meat imports from European countries and within the Asia Pacific region. The Edge reported that 60% of goods traded by Asian economies are now within the region, while 59% of foreign direct investment is intraregional.
What trends shape the meat processing industry? Ernest Tan discusses this with MELIYANA of Asian Agribiz and offers his thoughts on significant technological advancements and what may influence the animal protein industry in the near future. He addresses:
- Technologies adopted by the meat processing industry
- What kind of investments are needed to support these technologies
- How to boost development in cold chain infrastructure
- What the future holds for the animal protein industry
Ernest Tan leads the Agribusiness and Animal Protein sub-sectors within UOB’s Sector Solutions Group where he determines the strategic direction of these sectors for the Bank across its key markets as well as develops the bank’s value proposition for clients in these sectors.
The inflation narrative has been circling around us ever since supply chains ran askew with the pandemic and then the shipping crisis, which led to product prices inching upwards.
Now with economies reopening and revenge spending emerging, producers are training their focus in different directions to woo customers, despite rising costs.
Food safety is an emerging issue in Vietnam as there is an increasing number of violations like water pumping in pigs at slaughterhouses, or using banned substances at farms. Elsewhere, the increasing severity of livestock diseases and epidemics is challenging livestock producers and authorities in controlling the spread.
In this podcast, Dao Ha Trung discusses how blockchain technology has opened an avenue for disease control and food safety. He also talks about the internal control over an integrated production chain that helps companies improve their efficiency and food safety.
Dr Trung is President of Ho Chi Minh City High Technology Association, and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Austria. He is the Co-founder and Chairman of Te-Food International based in Germany. Today Te-Food is the world's largest farm-to-table food traceability system based on blockchain technology.
One of the most pronounced impacts from the global pandemic remains how tech is influencing the production and marketing of meat, with food safety and efficiency in focus. Economists in Asia are upbeat about growth forecasts, especially in Indonesia and Singapore. We report some progressive moves across the animal protein sector in Asia.
Aileen Supriyadi Senior Analyst at Euromonitor International talks about some of the trends that are encouraging growth for the animal protein industry, despite the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. She addresses
• Innovation, convenience, technology adoption and food safety
• A behavioral reset and how consumers are moving from bricks to clicks and away from traditional markets.
• The emphasis on wellness, health, and safety and the many ways in which producers can leverage this shift.
Aileen is based in Singapore and at Euromonitor International she focuses on food and nutrition in Southeast Asia. She also specializes in alternative foods including plant-based products as well as on ingredients in Asia Pacific.
While the electronic sow feeding (ESF) technology is not new, its use in Asia is minimal. This may be about to change as producers look for ways to improve productivity and calls for better animal welfare in meat production increase. Asian Agribiz spoke with Hans Hoevink, Business Development Manager for Southeast Asia of Nedap Livestock Management to learn more about ESF, how it works, and the benefits it brings to Asian pig producers.
The next 30 years will be a defining era for Asia’s agrifood innovation ecosystem according to a recent Lux Research report. Population growth, rapid urbanization, and an expanding middle class will exert pressure on Asia’s food system to keep pace. I would add to this environmental awareness and consciousness.
This week shored up a series of bright spots and shadows that appear to be the evolving dynamics of any healthy industry – no pain no gain!! While hurdles remain, advancing through cooperation has proven successful in many instances and we see plenty of this happening, even across borders.
Biosecurity and disease control are a top priority for producers amid the ASF spread in several countries. Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) can play an important role in disease prevention in pig farms and other livestock farms.
Technology companies are seeing the potential and business opportunities. Sertis is a data science and AI research company that has worked with many large companies in Thailand including CP Foods (CPF). Sertis has developed the CPF AI farm lab, which issues alerts automatically if biosecurity is breached and thus compromising the safety of the livestock. The detection is automatically done via CCTV cameras and real-time notifications are sent to managers.
The AI farm lab technology is designed to optimize farm management with real time monitoring and violation detection and notification.
In this podcast, Tee Vachiramon addresses:
- How AI technology increases biosecurity and prevents diseases including ASF
- How AI software works in the CPF AI farm lab
- The difference between the AI farm lab and other farms, which deploy CCTV cameras
- Level of investment needed for AI in a farm
- What’s next for AI technology in the livestock business
Tee Vachiramon is CEO of Sertis. His areas of specialty include data science, artificial intelligence, and data strategy. Mr Tee had worked in London and Beijing in the technology sector.
The shipping crisis has caused a swell that has disrupted grain markets, leaving planning assumptions made at the end of 2020 to waste. The stamina in the livestock feed industry that I addressed in early February has taken a toll on producers and feedmillers. Still, agility appears to be the strength within the industry as the focus continues to be the solution rather than the problem.
Grain prices have been trending upwards for months and key factor is the surge in freight charges. Ng Bao Ying and Liz Thang from S&P Global Platts talk to Asian Agribiz about how this is affecting export and import of goods to and from Asia. They touch on;
- Factors driving up freight costs
- How China is driving demand for freight and grain
- Why premium shipping rates are becoming the norm
- What the future holds for the freight markets to and from Asia
Matthew Clark, Specialist – Formulation Systems at FeedGuys, discusses:
- Corn and fat prices as two key factors when using barley as an alternative ingredient in poultry and pig feeds.
- Importance of adding beta-glucanase enzyme since barley contains beta-glucans which cause sticky droppings in poultry.
- Shadow pricing, supply and value of barley in comparison to corn.
The spotlight this week was trained on financial results. Happily, there appears to be more gainers than losers, and even the latter came out with bruises rather than crippling effects of the pandemic. Hogs held up high the gains of the likes of CP Pokphand, CP Foods, and Thaifoods Group, while Malaysia’s QL Resources registered an uptrend as well.
Listen to Conny Pereira's 'The week in review' podcast as she addresses how hogs hold up revenues in the industry.
Sustainability is in our face - the flavor of the day that is meant to be all about ‘caring’ today for the endurance of the future. Is it merely a flaunt on the red carpet or a deadbeat effort by producers to feed consumers responsibly, while protecting natural resources and combating the increasingly disruptive effects of climate change?
Listen to Conny Pereira's 'The week in review' podcast as she addresses the drive towards sustainability.
Dr D Chandrasekaran is a reputed Indian animal nutritionist who obtained his post graduate degree in Animal Nutrition from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and doctoral degree from Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. He established the Animal Feed Analytical and Quality Control Laboratory at the University and has developed a user-friendly least cost feed formulation program, which is extensively used by farmers. He is committed to optimizing feed formulations for farmers. In this podcast with Asian Agribiz he discusses:
• Alternative feed ingredients to cope with rising feed costs • Factors to consider when designing feed formulations on a budget • Strategies to overcome price volatility in feed
It may be the year of the Ox, but it is the pig sector that is bracing for a bull run this year. Clouded with uncertainty this time last year, market sentiment from feed to farm and on to market appears to hail good fortune.
Listen to her comments in on 'The week in review' podcast.
Valeska, Country Manager Indonesia of Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), discusses:
• The outlook for the industry this year amid a resurgence in Covid-19 infections. • How the ‘5% breeder-feeder’ live cattle import policy and its suspension will impact supply and price. • Intense competition, premiumization, and online market channels. • Beef offal market and its growing trade volume. • Value offered by the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) to industry stakeholders and consumers.
Depressed and in decline this time last year, the livestock feed sector in Asia is showing greater stamina this year, says Conny Pereira, Editorial Director at Asian Agribiz, after reviewing trends in our news coverage over the past week.
Listen to her comments in this week's 'Emerging Trends' podcast.
Traceability plays a vital role in food quality and safety management. This issue was put to test when a news story broke out in Malaysia about accountability over the source of imported meat and its halal status.
Current solutions for quality monitoring and traceability rely on centralized server-client systems that make it difficult for end-users (consumers) to access information. Asian Agribiz spoke to the Diana Sabrain, Founder of OneAgrix, a pioneer B2B e-commerce marketplace for Agricultural and Halal food integrating both blockchain and food traceability in an ecosystem. Ms Sabrain’s knowledge on how to address supply-chain, food security and safety challenges reveals:
1) How blockhain can add value to an existing ecosystem where traceability tools such as barcodes, RFID, scanning tools and others are already present, without the need to start from scratch.
2) That implementing traceability systems where data is transparent, protected without being tampered could save companies millions in product integrity and lawsuits.
3) How corporations and legislators are already moving into implementing this to safeguard all stakeholders interests
4) What blockchain is in its basic form and how it would secure the animal protein sector
5) That blockchain is not an end solution for traceability, but it can level up the supply chain to strengthen brand equity and development.
Diana Sabrain is the CEO/Co-founder of OneAgrix, a global B2B Agricultural and Halal e-commerce platform with supply chain traceability. She has led B2B2G ( Business to Business and Business to Government) negotiations to facilitate large scale tendered projects and billion-dollar developments in agriculture, hard commodities and infrastructure. She is also an authority on global trade topics, geoeconomics and technology, focusing on solving Agri-food and Halal food supply-chain, food security and food safety challenges.
Dr Budi Tangendaja, a reputed animal nutritionist and feedmill expert in Indonesia shares with us his observations in the field, following the ban of antibiotic growth promoters or AGPs in Indonesia in 2018. In this podcast with Asian Agribiz, he discusses:
• The impact of the AGP ban • Monitoring and control of the use of AGPs in the field • Strategies to minimize the cost of production • Consumer awareness of antibiotic-free products
Thailand has long been a major exporter of chicken products. According to the Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association, the country is expected to export 960,000 tons of frozen and processed chicken products in 2021, up 1% from last year. The industry is reputed for its high production standards, and competitive advantage. However, it is facing rising production costs due to higher feed prices.
In this podcast, Chaiwat Sowcharoensukan addresses: • The outlook for Thai chicken exports inn the 2021-2023 period • Competitive advantage of Thai chicken products and market growth • FTAs and opportunities for intra-regional trade • Thailand’s chicken meat production, costs, and feed prices • Key risks for the industry
Chaiwat Sowcharoensukan is an analyst (Agricultural Products, Food) at Krungsri Research, Bank of Ayudhya.
An interview with Art Frio, head of FirstTen Consulting and an independent consultant on pig production and nutrition, discusses:
• How to establish a good pig flow management plan • What causes pig flow problem on farms • Advantages and benefits of having a good pig flow management plan
To get more information on the Pig Flow Manager app, please contact Art Frio at afrio@1sttenconsulting.com
Asia has seen some layer farms transition to cage-free production to meet growing demand from the retail, f&b and horeca industries for ethically sourced eggs. Some NGOs have been actively supporting the movement for a smooth transition.
In this podcast, Luiz Mazzon addresses:
- Key drivers of the transition and challenges for both producers and consumers
- Success stories of Certified Humane egg farms in Asia and common challenges they faced during the certification process
- Humane Farm Animal Care’s egg-laying hen standards in local languages
Mr Mazzon is Director Asia of Humane Farm Animal Care. He is also President of Brazil’s Instituto Certified Humane. He founded this NGO that represents the American non-profit Humane Farm Animal Care in Latin America and more recently South and Southeast Asia.
Nathan Preteseille an Independent consultant and Co-founder of Asean Food and Feed Insect Association addresses the future of insect meal in livestock feed production. In this podcast he offers insights into why more attention should be directed to this sector as it is a cost effective and sustainable alternative to plant based proteins and fish meal. Nathan talks about: • Which countries are ahead of the curve in insect meal production • How even small operations can be profitable • What insect producers need to do to convince livestock producers to get on board • Why we need to talk about insect welfare and standards from the start
Nathan has been based in Thailand since 2015 and has been actively working to promote insect meal for food and feed. He was closely involved in the founding and building of ‘Bugsolutely’- a company producing Cricket Pasta and other foods containing insect flours.
Nourredine el Molaka, General Manager for Asia with Sanovo Technologies addresses profitability with eggs. In this podcast with Asian Agribiz, he offers insights on how regional egg players can re-purpose their shell eggs to embrace a changing market and remain profitable as foodservices recover. We discovered:
• Why diversification is crucial to remain a steady player • Growth in the egg industry is not only possible but essential as opportunities exist • Diversification to processed products will raise consumption and profitability • Food safety standards will only increase as consumers need traceability assurance • Automation and robotics will play a greater role soon and why
Mr El-Molaka’s knowledge and experience in the regional egg industry is supported by the growing Sanovo client portfolio.
The past couple of months has seen widespread avian influenza (AI) outbreaks in Asia. Our Avian Influenza Monitor page , details outbreaks in Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, India, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, China and Iran. These have been in commercial poultry farms, as well as in backyard farms and wild birds.
In this podcast episode, Dr Teguh Prajitno addresses: • Highly pathogenic AI and low pathogenic AI cases in the region • Vaccination strategy to control the disease • Relation to live bird markets and the AI virus • Transparency and openness in control of the global spread of AI
Dr Teguh Prajitno is a molecular biologist and Managing Director of Strategic Business Unit – Animal Health & Livestock Equipment (Vaksindo and Agrinusa) at Japfa Comfeed Indonesia.
In our earlier podcast with JY Chow, we addressed DIGITALIZATION and DISPLACEMENT, the first two of the four key dimensions in agrifood post Covid-19, in his article similarly titled.
This podcast covers the next two dimensions – DISRUPTION and SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. He addresses: • Funding opportunities and how to access them • Agtech, Foodtech and Welltech innovations that have emerged and are working well • The power of DISRUPTION and its positive impact • How sustainability can this filter down to smaller enterprises to realize collective consciousness and a positive impact • Ethical and environmentally responsible production and conscious consumerism
JY Chow, APAC Agrifood Sector Coverage Lead, Mizuho Bank, is an Agrifood Advisor and Financing Expert who loves to get his boots muddy! He has over 18 years of experience in Asia Pacific across operations, strategy, and banking. His food passion started in the kitchen of his family restaurant in France and evolved into engineering and finance. He is wide-eyed about how Foodtech and Agtech are reshaping our future.
Click here to read the article by JY Chow: ‘The four key dimensions in agrifood post Covid-19’.
Newcastle Disease (ND) has been an ongoing scourge for Asian poultry producers, causing huge economic losses. In this podcast with Meliyana of Asian Agribiz, Dr Marcelo Paniago of Ceva Animal Health addresses how: • Genotype VII ND circulates the most • The symptoms and lesions induced by this virus vary • Significant losses are inevitable • To better prevent the virus, keep it under control and keep flocks protected.
Rabobank Singapore's Ben Santoso lays it out plainly why and how brand development will become crucial for meat producers soon. Ben is Senior Analyst, Animal Protein Research for Southeast Asia. Some key points he raises are: • Significant product differentiation will be needed for higher margins • The growing trend towards ‘healthier meat products’ • The shift to automated slaughtering and higher processing capacities • Brand development and vertical integration in the industry
As much as the industry wants to repopulate, the risk of reinfection is till a big obstacle that discourages farmers to get back to the business. In this podcast, John Carr, addresses:
• Safe downtime for ASF affected farms • Reinfection – how to avoid it • Restock, at what cost • The possibility of compartmentalization • The old habits – What are they, and how to change them • Examples of farms already have biosecurity but ASF still breaks in
Dr Carr is well-known swine consultant in Asia, Australia, North America, Europe, and Africa, and specializes in maintaining pig health via promoting excellence in stockman-ship and production practices.