Pork market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The African swine fever (ASF) outbreak starting in 2018 led to large-scale pig culling, severely reducing pork supply. This caused the market volume to fall by 17.9% to 49 080 thousand tonnes in 2019. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a transformation of the meat supply chain, with restaurant and market closures altering demand patterns, yet the market volume edged up slightly to 49 901 thousand tonnes.

A strong recovery began in 2021, driven by high pork prices which had risen about 50% due to persistent ASF-related supply constraints. This price incentive stimulated production, leading to a 22.3% surge in market volume to 61 036 thousand tonnes. Growth continued at a slower pace thereafter, with the market expanding by 1.2% to 61 775 thousand tonnes in 2022 and by 3.7% to 64 050 thousand tonnes in 2023 as the market stabilized and supply gradually recovered.

In 2024, industry reports indicated a 1.5% decline in pork production, while poultry output grew by 3.8%. Major market player Shuanghui experienced reduced slaughter volumes and sales due to weaker demand, with Muyuan taking the lead in slaughter numbers. Consumer preferences also shifted, placing greater emphasis on sustainability and transparency in meat sourcing.

Production pork in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Pork production in Eastern Asia has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 44 077 thousand tons of pork, representing a 3.0% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 23.1%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 8.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Following two years of decline, pork production in Eastern Asia saw an increase in value. In 2020, the output was valued at 131.1 billion US dollars, marking a moderate year-over-year growth of 5.0%. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 29%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -10.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 124.9 billion US dollars, with the largest decline of 18.8% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Exports pork from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Pork exports from Eastern Asia have fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 55 thousand tons of pork, a significant drop of 29.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports plummeted by 74.6%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 36.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for pork exports in kind from Eastern Asia were Asia, not elsewhere specified (accounting for 25.8% of exports), Vietnam (4.9%), and Singapore (0.6%). Together, these three markets represented 31.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Pork exports from Eastern Asia in value terms have also declined for the third year running. In 2020, exports amounted to 162 million US dollars, reflecting a 24.2% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value dropped by 76.5%, with an annualized decline rate of 38.3%.

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

In value terms from 2017 to 2020, the primary markets for pork exports were Asia, not elsewhere specified (26.4% of export value), Vietnam (2.0%), and Singapore (1.6%). This cluster of destinations accounted for 30.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports pork to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Pork imports into Eastern Asia have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 5 879 thousand tons, up by 58.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volumes grew by 92.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 990 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 2.2% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of pork imports in kind was highly diversified. The top three suppliers—the United States (19.5% of imports), Spain (16.2%), and Canada (12.8%)—together accounted for 48.4% of total flows. The remaining 51.6% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Pork imports into Eastern Asia in value terms have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 18 535 million US dollars, a substantial increase of 62.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value surged by 102.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 946 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 2.4% occurring that year.

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

The country composition of pork imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. The leading suppliers—the United States (20.0% of import value), Spain (15.8%), and Canada (13.9%)—together formed just 49.7% of total flows. The remaining 50.3% was split among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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