Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 7/15/19


China reported a 5.5% decline in pork production in the first half of the year in the wake of the continuing African Swine Fever (ASF), although other government figures indicated a steep decline in the number of hogs lost from the deadly disease.

The National Bureau of Statistics reported that China produced 24.7 million metric tons of pork between January and June of 2019, down 5.5% from the same period one year ago despite the ASF outbreaks.

The fast-spreading disease has caused the culling of 1.2 million pigs in the last 10 months, according to regional reports. Industry analysts called the figure smaller than expected in light of ASF, which should have sparked a 10% drop in pork production, according to a report from Reuters.

Meanwhile, China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs reported a decline in the nation’s swine herd of 25.8% in June versus June of 2018 with the number of sows alone down by 26.7%, the Reuters report added. The ministry’s figures are in sharp contrast to the National Bureau of Statistics estimates, which reported that the world’s largest swine herd declined 15% from last year to 347.61 million head as Chinese farmers did not restock after ASF killed their hogs.

The ASF outbreaks also have prompted Minneapolis-based Cargill Inc. to close its animal-feed mills in recent months as demand for pork feed has dropped sharply because of ASF, the company announced as part of its fourth-quarter results.

Cargill is among several U.S. protein producers boosting their ability to provide poultry and other meat alternatives like beef and poultry to augment the decline of available pork products in China.

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