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COVID-related shutdowns in China not expected to significantly disrupt demand

The US Meat Export Federation says heightened COVID restrictions in China haven’t had a significant impact on red meat demand.

USMEF’s Joel Haggard says they don’t expect any major disruptions.  “China continues to maintain that imported meat, poultry, and seafood can transmit COVID,” he says.  “Several municipalities have stepped up checking cold storages to make sure wholesalers are following COVID-testing and disinfection rules.  And there have been some reports of local authorities halting the sale of imported meat.”

Haggard says they’ll continue to monitor that situation but their staff on the ground in China say food service has been strong across many areas.  He says China did suspend operations at one of its ports due to a single employee testing positive for COVID-19.  “Ningbo port is not a major conduit for US red meat imports, but any port closure is going to add to global shipping congestion woes and Ningbo is the 3^rd largest port in the world.”

Haggard says this shutdown is more of a “speed bump” rather than a major disruption to the global market.