Chinese pork imports drop to lowest level in several years

Chinese pork imports dropped further in 2024, reaching just 1.06 million tons. This figure represents a 32% reduction compared to 2023 (1.55 million tons) and a drop of more than 75% compared to 2020, when imports peaked at 4.38 million tons due to the African swine fever crisis.

Pork offal imports have slightly recovered with 1.23 million tons in 2024, 5% more than in 2023, but below the record level of 2020 (1.35 million tons).

Pig333 portal said that several factors explain the decline in foreign purchases:

• Domestic self-sufficiency: with the recovery of swine production, the need to import pork has decreased.

• Government policy: Chinese authorities have promoted stability in the domestic market to avoid price volatility.

• Moderate consumption: although pork continues to be the most consumed meat in China, demand for imported meat is lower due to changes in consumption habits and economic adjustments.

In contrast to imports, and despite being down on the previous year, domestic pork production remains strong at 57.06 million tons in 2024, consolidating the second-highest production year in the last decade, second only to 2023 (57.94 million tons) and well above the 41.13 million tons produced in 2020 due the impact of the ASF outbreak.