Meat and poultry

摘要

North American meat and poultry processors have been buffeted in the past by the impact of animal diseases like African swine fever, avian influenza and porcine epidemic diarrhea on the supply/demand situation during the past decade. In 2020, the situation changed when a new virus crossed the species barrier and sent Shockwaves throughout the industry. Rarely has the meat and poultry supply chain attracted as much attention as it did during 2020. The coronavirus (COVID-19) had such an impact that at times observers questioned whether the industry could maintain consistent operations. Through March, April and May the concerns were well founded. Processing plants owned and operated by the largest companies in the industry were dosing on a regular basis and disrupting the receipt of live animals and the delivery of products to retail.