China's Meat Production Growth in Q1 2025

Pork Production

In particular, pork production increased by 1.2% in the first quarter of 2025, which is a positive signal for the pig farming industry. This improvement is due to the recovery of the pig herd after a significant decline in previous years due to outbreaks of African swine fever. As of the end of March 2025, the total number of pigs in CHINA was 417.31 million, up 2.2% year-on-year. This indicates that farmers are rebuilding their herds and adapting to the new conditions.

The number of pigs sent for slaughter also increased, reaching 194.76 million. This suggests that demand for pork in the country remains strong, which in turn encourages producers to increase production volumes.

Other Meats

In addition to pork, other types of MEAT also saw growth in the first quarter. Beef production increased by 2.7% and poultry by 5.1%. This may be due to changes in consumer preferences, as well as increasing competition in the market. However, it is worth noting that the only type of meat that showed a decrease was lamb , the production of which fell by 5.1%. This may be due to changes in consumer demand and preferences in favor of more affordable and popular types of meat, such as pork and poultry .

Prospects and Challenges

Despite the positive trends, the Chinese pork industry faces a number of challenges. One of them is the need to maintain high biosecurity standards to prevent possible disease outbreaks among animals. It is also important to consider the impact of climate change on agriculture , which may affect feed production and, accordingly, the cost of meat.

Given the current trends, we can expect that China will continue to increase the production of pork and other types of meat, but this will depend on the ability of the industry to adapt to new challenges and market demands. Investments in technology, improved animal welfare and logistics could be key factors for further growth.

The increase in pork production in China in the first quarter of 2025 therefore demonstrates the recovery of the sector after difficult periods, as well as high prospects for further development. Success in this area will depend on the ability of producers to respond to changes in demand and ensure high standards of quality and safety.