Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 8/23/19


China on Friday announced that on Sept. 1 it will raise tariffs on a host of U.S. agricultural goods, including 10% hikes on U.S. beef and pork, according to a report by Reuters. 

The latest tariffs from Beijing come in response to recent U.S. duties on $300 billion of Chinese products and add fuel to the fire of a trade war between the two nations that represent the world’s largest economies. It also comes as China’s pig herd is rocked by African swine fever, forcing increased imports of pork and beef.

U.S. pork producers already faced a 62% tariff on their exports, a measure China imposed last year in another retaliatory volley.   
During the course of the trade war, USDA made available two programs providing financial relief to farmers affected by China’s retaliation. The latest, announced late last month, gives eligible U.S. pork producers $11 per head based on inventory between April 1 and May 15. The agency also pledged to purchase $208 million in pork to support its food programs.

While expressing gratitude for the help, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) laments the lost opportunity for U.S. pork producers in China.

One of the organization’s top priorities is “an end to the trade dispute with China, where retaliatory tariffs are preventing U.S. pork from fully capitalizing on a historic sales opportunity created by the outbreak of African swine fever in the world’s largest pork-consuming nation,” NPPC President David Herring said in a statement.

African swine fever
The devastating effect of African swine fever on China’s pig herd and pork supplies, meanwhile, is forcing consumers there to shop for alternative meats.

Beef imports hit a record last month as decreased pork supplies forced a surge in pork prices. Beef purchases skyrocketed 83% to 152,213 tons in July year on year, Bloomberg reported, citing Chinese customs data. Pork imports also surged 107% on the year to 182,227 tons. 

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