China to cut pork imports by 5% in 2022

“Government support measures for Chinese pork producers are expected to lead to an increase in livestock numbers and a decrease in imports this year,” IndexBox said.

CHINA , the world's largest pork market, imported 2.8 million tons of pork worth $8 billion from January to August 2021, according to a recent IndexBox report. Compared to the same period a year earlier, the volume of imports remained virtually unchanged, and in value terms, purchases increased by 3%. However, data provided by the General Administration of Customs shows a downward trend in MEAT imports in the second half of 2021.

US pork shipments fell 36% to 340,000 tons, while Spain and Brazil boosted their exports to China. Compared to the same period in 2020, purchases in Spain increased by 70% to 900 thousand tons, or by 76% to $2.6 billion in value terms. Deliveries from Brazil increased by 25% to 360 thousand tons, or by 21% to $1.2 billion in monetary terms.

China's pork imports are projected to fall by 5% in 2022 due to rising domestic pork production. The Chinese government is expected to support large pig companies to keep expanding their herds.

China Pork Import Statistics 2020

Pork imports to China rose from 2.0 million tons in 2019 to 4.3 million tons in 2020. In value terms, purchases soared from $4.5 billion to $11.9 billion. Spain (934 thousand tons), the usa (696 thousand tons) and Brazil (481 thousand tons) were the leading suppliers of pork to China with a combined share of 49% of total imports. In value terms, Spain ($2.7 billion), the United States ($1.6 billion) and Brazil ($1.6 billion) were the largest suppliers of pork to China, with a combined share of 49% of the total supply.

In 2020, the United States recorded the highest rate of shipment growth of any leading supplier. America's pork imports have tripled in value. The average pork import price in 2020 was $2,761 per ton, up 22% from the previous year. Average prices varied somewhat among major supplying countries. In 2020, the highest prices were recorded in Brazil ($3,254/t) and Denmark ($3,009/t), while prices in the US ($2,351/t) and CANADA ($2,369/t) were among the lowest.

However, according to Jacek Strzelecki, a Polish market analyst, China could achieve 100% pork self-sufficiency in 2022.