News Pigs
Germany and China in talks about meat exports
The German government says it is in talks with China to (partially) lift the export ban for German pork to China. To date, the Chinese government agrees to continue talks to see what is possible.
Last September, the first wild boars infected with African swine fever were found in Germany. As soon as some Asian countries, including China, got wind of this, they closed their borders to German pork. The export ban still applies and has put German meat prices under considerable pressure. The German ministry is trying to get the full export ban off the table with the talks and possibly replace it with a local export ban
Local export ban
According to the German government, a nationwide export ban is unnecessary. The German agriculture minister is calling for a ban on areas where infected boars have been found. In this way, other parts of Germany can export meat, which benefits the German pig sector. As a result of the export freeze, thousands of pigs ready for slaughter are hanging above the market. Prices will benefit if the borders open again.
The ball is currently in China's court. The German ministry has provided the Chinese authorities with an extensive document in which they answer all questions that China has about the measures that Germany is taking to prevent the ASF from spreading further. We are waiting for the response from the Asian superpower. Given the ASF outbreak that wiped out nearly half of China's pig herd in 2019, the country's caution is somewhat understandable.
Jorine Cosse
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