Salted, brined, dried or smoked pork market in China

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the market volume for salted, brined, dried or smoked pork in China stood at 241.4 thousand tonnes, supported by leading companies like Shuanghui Development and Guangming Meat Industry expanding their full value chains and diversifying product lines. By 2019, the market saw a slight dip to 233.6 thousand tonnes, followed by a sharp contraction to 186.1 thousand tonnes in 2020.

A recovery began in 2021, with market volume rising to 227.8 thousand tonnes and reaching 263.0 thousand tonnes by 2023. In value terms, the market also grew from 1 817 million US dollars in 2018 to 2 602 million US dollars in 2023, reflecting increases in both physical volume and likely prices.

In 2024, the industry continued its shift toward scaled, intensive, and smart pig farming. Major producers including Muyuan Shares, Wens Group, and New Hope reported significant sales growth, while seasonal demand for cured meat products was estimated to have risen by 20-25% during the peak period, indicating ongoing market development.

Production salted, brined, dried or smoked pork in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, China ranked as the world's 6th largest producer of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork.

Top producers of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork, 2017-2020

China's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, output fell to 185.4 K t, marking a 20.5% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 25.5%, with an average annual decline of 9.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork production in China was 2 053 M $ US, down 3.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 6.9%, averaging a 2.3% annual decline. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 813 M $ US, which saw the largest drop of 17.7%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 17.1%.

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

Exports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork from China

Exports in kind, t

China's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork by volume fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 176.5 t, a sharp 23.4% decline from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 38%, with an average annual reduction of 14.7%. The peak was in 2018 at 292.9 t, which also saw the largest increase of 2.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong was the main destination for China's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork by volume, accounting for 80.6% of total shipments, while other markets made up a long tail of smaller partners.

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, K $ US

China's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork by value declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value was 1 954 K $ US, a modest 6.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 22.5%, with an average annual decline of 8.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hong Kong accounted for 83.4% of the total value of China's salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork exports, with the remaining flows distributed among multiple smaller 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 salted, brined, dried or smoked pork to China

Imports in kind, t

China's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork by volume showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. The lowest point was in 2018 at 297.7 t, which saw a 3.4% decline. In 2020, imports surged to {value_last_year} t, an 83.4% increase from 2019, marking the peak with a 2.9-fold difference from the 2018 trough.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and Italy dominated China's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork by volume, together representing 96.5% of total flows, while other destinations had smaller individual 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, K $ US

China's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork by value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value reached {value_last_year} K $ US, a steep 49.1% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 272.1%, with an average annual increase of 55.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Spain was the central partner for China's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork by value, holding a 75.5% share of total flows, while other markets formed a less significant perimeter.

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

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