September 4, 2007

China imports 30,000 tonnes pork during January to July
 

China imported 30,000 tonnes of pork during the first seven months of this year, up from 24,000 tonnes in the whole of 2006, said Bi Jingquan, a vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission.

The country exported 95,000 tonnes of pork during January to July, compared with 270,000 tonnes in all of 2006, Bi said.

An outbreak of blue ear disease among the country's hog population caused pork prices to surge this year.

Bi said pork in China, the world's largest producer, will continue to be based on domestic supply as no other country can satisfy its demand in large amounts.

"It's impossible for China to import millions of tonnes of pork each year," he said.

Last year, China produced 52 million tonnes of pork, about 53 percent of the world's total output, Bi said.

Bi also said feed meal supply, such as corn, can meet domestic hog industry development, as it is slightly higher than demand.