September 5, 2012

China's meat demand including pork on continual rise

China's meat consumption will continue to rise, maintaining demands for feeds made from corn and soy.

"We are looking at a mega-trend of increasing consumption of meat, milk, eggs," said Christopher Langholz, president of Cargill Animal Protein China.

Rising incomes in China have increased demand for meat, including pork, making the nation the largest buyer of soy, which are crushed to feed pigs and chicken. Soy and corn surged to record prices in Chicago last month as the worst US drought in half a century cut supplies.

"China has been very transparent in soy, so the market can respond," Langholz said. The transparency allows exporters to increase their ability to produce, reducing price volatility over time, he said.