May 1, 2008

China halves its pork export volume

China's pork export volume and value decreased by 55.2 percent and 16.8 percent year-on-year respectively to 12,000 tonnes and US$ 37.62 million in the first two months of 2008, according to the General Administration of Customs.

The agency said there were three factors responsible for the drop. Firstly, China's pork price remained high in the period even as international prices declined daramatically.

The drop also came as domestic live pig inventories were struggling to meet high demand during China's peak consumption period for pork.

Finally, snowstorms in South China wrecked havoc on the transportation network in the first two months of the year, thus affecting pork exports.