Prepared or preserved pork and offal market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The market for prepared or preserved pork in China expanded from 352 000 tons in 2018 to 373 000 tons in 2019. This initial growth occurred despite the outbreak of African swine fever in August 2018, which drastically reduced hog herds and constrained fresh pork supply, likely increasing demand for processed pork products as a stable alternative. However, in 2020, the combined disruption from the ongoing swine fever and the COVID-19 pandemic severely strained supply chains, causing the market volume to contract to 293 000 tons.

Market recovery began in 2021, climbing to 375 000 tons as large-scale industrial pork producers became dominant, driving up production efficiency. Growth continued to 438 000 tons in 2022, supported by the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which eased regional trade barriers for meat products. By 2023, the market reached 456 000 tons, further bolstered by a sustained consumer shift toward premium, safe, and certified meat offerings.

Production prepared or preserved pork and offal in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, China ranked as the second-largest producer of prepared or preserved pork and offal from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of prepared or preserved pork and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared or preserved pork and offal, 2017-2020

China's production of prepared or preserved pork and offal fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 358.1 K t, marking a significant 20.5% drop from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 25.6%, which translates to an annualized decrease of 9.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of China's prepared or preserved pork and offal production also declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production was valued at 1 489 M $ US, reflecting a substantial 16.7% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the value fell by 25.2%, averaging an annualized decline of 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports prepared or preserved pork and offal from China

Exports in kind, K t

China's exports of prepared or preserved pork and offal decreased for the second straight year. In 2020, exports totaled 66.1 K t, down 15.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 38.9%, with an annualized rate of 15.2%. The peak was in 2018 at 114.0 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 31.4%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 5.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong, Japan, and the Philippines were the primary buyers of China's prepared or preserved pork and offal in volume terms. Hong Kong accounted for 37.7% of exports, Japan for 34.9%, and the Philippines for 9.4%, collectively making up 82.0% of total exports.

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

In value terms, China's exports of prepared or preserved pork and offal also fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 275.0 M $ US, an 11.4% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 38.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -15.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 464.3 M $ US, with the largest decline in 2019 at 33.1% and the largest increase in 2018 at 3.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, Hong Kong, Japan, and the Philippines dominated China's prepared or preserved pork and offal exports in value terms. Hong Kong held a 44.9% share, Japan 33.3%, and the Philippines 5.9%, together representing 84.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports prepared or preserved pork and offal to China

Imports in kind, K t

China's imports of prepared or preserved pork and offal rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 5.4 K t, surging by 58.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 319.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 61.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark was the leading source for China's imports of prepared or preserved pork and offal in volume terms, accounting for 74.9% of total imports, while other countries contributed smaller shares.

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

In value terms, China's imports of prepared or preserved pork and offal grew to 5.4 M $ US in 2020, up 47.1% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 36.4%, with a CAGR of 10.9%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 3.6 M $ US, with the largest decline that year at 26.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Denmark and Spain together made up 84.7% of China's imports of prepared or preserved pork and offal in value terms, with other countries forming a diverse but less significant portion.

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

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