Hog diseases hurting China's feed meal demand 

Outbreaks of hog diseases in the country are affecting feed meal demand in a year the market had expected to show a demand recovery, according to industry participants.

Outbreaks of blue ear disease and foot-and-mouth disease this year are more serious than normal, hurting breeders' interest in raising more hogs, analyst Xia Rui said at an oil and grain conference.

An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Jiangxi led to feed meal demand decreasing by 15% in April compared with last April, said a researcher with the province's State Administration of Grain.

Rising corn prices have also eaten away at breeders' profits, with many just breaking even or making losses, industry participants said.