According to Reuters, citing Zhu Zengyong, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, pork consumption in China will not increase in the near future.
Zhu Zengyong said that demand for pork in China – the world’s largest consumer market – has decreased in recent years due to a weakening economy, leading to a surplus supply that has put downward pressure on prices. Current demand in China is stable and unlikely to increase further.
He said companies should not increase breeding sows this year, but instead focus on reducing costs and improving the efficiency of breeding sows.
In 2024, China lowered its target for maintaining a normal breeding sow herd from 41 million to 39 million and issued regulations to control the country’s pig production capacity.
In its recently released annual rural labor policy blueprint, the State Council said it would strictly enforce and supervise pig slaughter and regulate pork production capacity.
Zhu said the increase in breeding sows this year could continue to put pressure on pig prices throughout the year. Pork imports are forecast to continue to decline in 2025 from 1.07 million tonnes in 2024, while demand for offal is expected to remain flat.
China’s pork and offal imports fell 15.7% in 2024, the fourth consecutive year of decline, as the industry struggles with an oversupply market.
Zhu expects pig slaughters to increase in 2025 from 2024, while average pig prices will fall by 10% to 20%.
Thuy Chung
Source: Vinanet/VITIC/euromeatnews