News Pigs
After years of growth, fewer pigs in China again
For the first time in four years, China's pork production has fallen, according to Chinese agricultural statistics. Production had been rising for three years in a row, according to official data, but the upward trend has not continued in 2024.
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The world's largest producer's pork production of 57,06 million tonnes in 2024 was 1,5% lower than the total production of 2023. It is worth noting, however, that production in 2023 was relatively high.
Last year, 702,56 million were slaughtered in China, which is 3,3% less than in 2023. At the end of December, the Chinese pig herd stood at 427,43 million, the sow herd stood at 40,80 million at the end of November. Despite this lower amount, analysts expect the pig herd to be sufficient to meet demand in 2025, meaning that higher prices are not yet in sight.
China's beef production last year reached 7,79 million tons, poultry production 26,6 million tons, and lamb and mutton production 5,18 million tons.