Germany has reported its first outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in 36 years, prompting swift action across Europe to contain the highly contagious virus. The outbreak was detected in a herd of water buffalo near Berlin, leading to precautionary measures such as the culling of 55 goats, sheep, and cattle on a farm in Brandenburg that had sourced hay from the affected buffalo farm.

While this virus poses no risk to humans or food safety, it spreads rapidly among cloven-hoofed animals like cows, pigs, and sheep, making it a significant concern for the agricultural sector.

The Ban on German Exports

In response to the outbreak, the UK has joined other nations in banning imports of live animals and meat from Germany. This decision aims to prevent further spread of the virus and protect livestock across Europe.

Ripple Effects on Supply Chains

With the German export ban in place, markets across the UK, Ireland, and other EU countries such as the Netherlands, Spain, and Poland are expected to experience increased demand, especially for pork products. This shift is likely to drive up prices as producers and suppliers adjust to the heightened pressure.

How The Full Range is Handling the Situation

At The Full Range, we are closely monitoring the situation to ensure our supply chain remains unaffected. We are pleased to confirm that we do not directly source products from Germany, which minimises the immediate impact on our operations. Thanks to our strong relationships with suppliers across the UK, we do not anticipate any disruptions to our supply, though we remain prepared for potential price increases as the market reacts.  Due to our Quarterly pricing model, we have rates locked in now until April 2025 across all suppliers, and will keep customers updated on future reviews.