Pork market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The pork market in China contracted sharply in 2019, with volume falling to 44 521 thousand tons from 55 188 thousand tons the previous year. This decline was primarily driven by the initial outbreak of African Swine Fever in August 2018, which led to the culling of approximately 1.2 million pigs and significantly reduced the national herd. In response, the government initiated releases from its frozen pork reserves and lowered import tariffs to stabilize supply and prices.

A strong recovery began in 2021, with market volume jumping to 56 514 thousand tons as the hog breeding stock recovered to 90-95% of pre-epidemic levels. Continued state support for standardized farming projects and fiscal subsidies for breeders facilitated this rebound. The market continued to expand, reaching 59 458 thousand tons in 2023, supported by the ongoing use of strategic reserves to manage prices and the scaling up of production by major companies.

Throughout the period, the state's flexible use of its strategic pork reserves, including a major release of 670 000 thousand tons in 2020, was a key tool for managing price volatility. The market also transformed with strengthened food safety regulations, a growing consumer preference for fresh meat, and significant investment in cold-chain logistics infrastructure, which improved distribution efficiency and supported the handling of both domestic and imported products.

Production pork in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

China maintained its position as the world's leading pork producer throughout the 2017–2020 period.

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Pork production in China continued its downward trend for the third year in a row. In 2020, China produced 41 133 thousand tons of pork, representing a modest decline of 3.3% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 24.6%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 9.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports pork from China

Exports in kind, K t

China's pork exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 11 thousand tons, reflecting a significant drop of 60.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports decreased by 79.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -40.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong was the primary destination for China's pork exports in volume terms, accounting for 88.4% of total shipments. The remaining exports were distributed among a variety of smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from China in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

China's pork export revenues declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 89 million US dollars, a decrease of 36.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export revenues fell by 65.4%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 29.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During the 2017–2020 period, Hong Kong dominated China's pork exports in value terms, capturing 88.1% of total revenue. The remaining share was spread across various other trading partners.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from China in value, 2017-2020

Imports pork to China

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed considerable volatility throughout the period. Imports reached their highest level in 2020 and their lowest in 2018, with a difference of 3.6 times between the two years. In 2020, China imported 4 302 thousand tons of pork, marking a substantial increase of 115.7% from the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 193 thousand tons, while the largest decline occurred in the same year at 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, China's pork imports in volume terms were relatively diversified. Spain accounted for 20.4% of imports, Germany for 14.1%, and the United States for 13.7%. Together, these three countries represented 48.1% of total import volumes, with the remainder coming from a wide range of other suppliers.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to China in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The data indicates significant fluctuations, highlighting a volatile market environment. Import values peaked in 2020 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with a difference of 5.7 times between the two years. In 2020, China imported pork worth 89 million US dollars, representing a sharp increase of 163.5% compared to the previous year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 2 074 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in the same year at 6.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China's pork imports in value terms remained highly diversified. Spain held a 21.3% share, Germany accounted for 13.2%, and Brazil represented 12.6%. Combined, these three countries made up 47.1% of total import value, while the remaining 52.9% came from a broad array of smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to China in value, 2017-2020