China plans measures to limit production of dairy products and beef amid falling meat prices

Prices for pork, beef , dairy and poultry are falling in the world's largest MEAT consumer as shoppers, battling a slowing economy, cut back on purchases. This decline in demand follows an increase in production in the livestock industry, especially in pig farming.

"Beef and raw MILK prices fell 12.1% and 12.5% ​​respectively in the first half of the year, and beef and dairy cattle producers are suffering losses," Wang Lejun, chief livestock specialist at the Ministry of Agriculture, told reporters. 

“For beef and dairy cows, we want to help farms optimize and adjust herd structure, moderately eliminate old and low-producing cows, and better align production development with market demand,” he said.

Wang said the livestock market is well supplied, resulting in low prices.

In the first half, total pork, beef, lamb and poultry production increased 0.6% year on year, egg production rose 2.7% and milk production increased 3.4%, he added.

In March, Beijing issued rules to reduce the number of breeding sows after aggressive farm expansion over the past two years led to a glut of pork, leading to heavy losses for companies.

In June it issued rules to control beef cattle production.

While a decline in hog numbers has helped prices recover, prices for beef and dairy products are expected to remain weak in the second half of the year, Wang said.

The sow population stood at 40.38 million in June, with the pig population down 6.4% year on year, he added.

CHINA 's meat imports fell 13.4% in the first half of 2024 from a year earlier, with pork and poultry imports hit the hardest.