Pork imports from China almost triple in March compared to previous year

Chinese customs data shows that imports of pork from the country in March almost tripled compared to the same month last year. China is the largest global consumer of pork, and imported 391,000 tons of the product in March, up from 127,200 tons in March 2019.  According to figures from the General Customs Administration, meat shipments in the first quarter were 951,000 tons, almost twice as much as in the same period last year.

The increase is attributed to buyers looking to fill the domestic supply shortage after African swine flu wiped out the country’s livestock. The disease reduced China’s pig herd by at least 40% and reduced the number of pigs by up to 60% in 2019, which cut pork production and brought meat prices to record highs.

China had imported 560,000 tonnes of pork in the first two months of 2020, up 158% year-on-year. The following chart shows imports of beef, pork and chicken from Brazil to China since 2015:

Chart source: DataLiner

Source of report: Reuters

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