Source: MEATINGPLACE, 10/7/11
 

China’s pork imports are expected to rise 8 percent next year even as the country boosts its domestic production, according to USDA’s attache in Beijing.

Higher imports will be needed to meet rising Chinese demand, despite efforts to expand the hog herd, the attache said in a recently released report. Production is expected to expand at a moderate pace because some Chinese farmers have hesitated to boost output due to high feed costs and concerns about disease outbreaks, the report said.

The attache projected China's pork imports to rise 8 percent to 480,000 metric tons in 2012.
It forecast pork output will increase 4 percent to 51.3 million metric tons, aided by the resumption of government subsidies to farmers.

“Surging pork prices in China this year became a top policy concern in 2011 as pork is a staple in China’s diet and affordable pork is considered important for social stability,” the attache said. “In response, the leadership provided additional incentives this summer to expand herd size and reduce pork prices for China’s consumers, by improving hog farm returns.”

Total meat production is forecast up 3 percent to 81.4 million metric tons.

Beef imports are also expected to increase due to declining domestic production, with sales forecast to rise 7 percent to 45,000 metric tons in 2012.

To download the full report, click here. 

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