Japan cancels pork imports from Hungary
This week’s outbreak of Classical Swine Fever (CSF) in Hungary caused Japan to close its borders for pork from the Eastern European country.
Hungarian animal health authorities announced on Wednesday they had detected CSF in three wild boars in the northern part of the country.
Hungary’s pig market could collapse due to the ban, said László Kovács, CEO of meat processor Pick Szeged. Japan is one of Hungary’s key export markets, importing about 15% of Hungarian pork exports.
Too big
Hungary’s pig stock could easily become too big and prices could decrease, he feared.
Certain pork parts, like spare rib roast and ham, can be sold nowhere else but in Japan, he explained. These parts could be sold in Europe but only at a very low price.
If the export of these becomes impossible, the meat industry will cut back production, Kovács added.
Related news item:
• Hungary detects CSF in wild boars (25 Jan 2007)
Related web sites:
• European Union
• Pick Szeged
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