“Overall, the impact of the crisis on food markets has remained limited thanks to the resilience of the food chain,” judges the European Commission in its latest report on the short-term outlook for agricultural markets in 2020, which was published on Monday, 5 October.
According to the European Commission’s report (https://bit.ly/3d2PGT2 ), the situation in 2020 remains “globally positive”: dairy and meat prices have recovered from some weakening during the acute phase of the Covid-19 crisis, milk collection growth remains strong, the positive trade balance in meat is increasing, and oilseed and protein production is estimated to be on the rise. In addition, olive oil exports will reach a new record level.
Problems are noted in the report with regard to cereals (wheat in particular) and sugar, both of which have suffered from adverse weather and/or plant health conditions.
The report also indicates “major uncertainty” as to future EU-UK trade relations.
Lastly, the first reported outbreaks of African Swine Fever in wild boars on Germany’s eastern border and the subsequent closure of Asian export markets to German pigmeat exports “give rise to strong concerns on the trade front, considering the share of Germany in those EU exports”. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)