Tyson Foods warns African swine fever may reach the US
The disease has been detected in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, SA and parts of Europe
Chicago — US meat processor Tyson Foods said on Monday that it could reap significant financial gains from African swine fever, an incurable pig disease, that is spreading rapidly across Asia and expected to lift global pork prices. Tyson projected its pork, chicken and beef units could all benefit from increased demand linked to outbreaks of African swine fever, after the company reported quarterly profits above analysts' estimates. The disease, which is fatal to pigs but harmless to humans, has been detected in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, South Africa and parts of Europe. With African swine fever in China, the world's top pork producer, about 5% of the global protein supply has disappeared as demand is rising, Tyson CEO Noel White said. China is expected to import more protein to make up for its pig deaths, which White estimated at 150-million to 200-million pigs. The losses could help Tyson by pushing up pork prices and prompting consumers to buy more chicken and beef as alternati...
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