Pork imports in China exceed 2019 total

Over the first 6 months of the year, China has already imported considerably more pork than last year. The level already exceeds the total imports of 2019. Significantly more beef is also being imported.

In the first half of 2020, China managed to import a total of 2,120 million tons of pork. Imports are significantly higher than last year and have even exceeded the total of 2,002 million for the whole of 2019.

Release reserves
Not only is more pork being imported, China is also repeatedly releasing pork from state reserves. Over the month of July, 48.000 tons of meat were released and several reserves were also put on the market in August. In total, more than 500.000 tons of pork from state reserves have already been released this year. September is also off to a good start and tomorrow (September 4) another 20.000 tons of frozen pork will be auctioned.

America made a big leap
America continues to increase its share of the Chinese market. In the last week of August, 11.200 tons of pork were exported to China, according to the report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The export volume is thus even 72,3% higher than in the previous week.

Beef
Chinese beef imports are also much higher than last year. In total, 1,2 million tons of beef were imported up to and including July this year. Compared to the same period last year, the level is approximately 41,5% higher. Most of the meat came from Brazil and Argentina.

Chanti Oussoren

Editor at Boerenbusiness who studies the dairy, pig (meat) and feed markets.

c.oussoren@boerenbusiness. Nl

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