Head of NSS comments on the prospect of exporting processed pork to China

The market of China, affected by the outbreak of African swine fever, remains closed to Russian pork. Chinese regulators have not recognized the principle of regionalization for ASF. Barriers to supply are constantly being discussed during negotiations at the highest level, says Yuri Kovalev, director general of the National Union of Pig Breeders (NSS).

According to him, companies from the TOP-10 domestic pork producers have been studying in depth the conditions and possibilities for supplying deep-processed products to China for several years. As it turned out, the Chinese have specific taste preferences that differ significantly from ours, so the mass sale of domestic sausages, frankfurters, sausages and other pork products is virtually impossible.

Kovalev recalled that meat is an exchange commodity, and the price plays a leading role in its sale. The principles of trade in products of deep processing are quite different. Success is built on brand recognition and product compliance with consumer tastes. The price fades into the background. At the same time, it is much more difficult and expensive to promote branded products, so it would be short-sighted to hope for significant sales volumes.

The head of the industry association focused on one more point: any national government welcomes the supply of raw materials, but not finished products. Customs duties on raw materials are much lower. Therefore, for the development of exports, it is necessary first of all to achieve the opening of the Chinese market for fresh meat, the expert believes.