October 15, 2007

China's pork export dives 39 percent while import doubles

China's pork export has nose-dived and import doubled in the first seven months of the year, according to the Statistic Department of the General Administration of Customs.

According to the customs statistics, China exported 95,000 tonnes of fresh and frozen pork in the first seven months of the year, valued at US$ 180 million, down 39.7 percent and 22.5 percent respectively.

Meanwhile, import of fresh and frozen pork in the period was 30,000 tonnes doubling 1.3 times and 1.4 times respectively.

Although China's pork import has surged, it is still three times below exports.

China exported pork mainly to Asia countries and regions. Pork export to these areas, which accounts for about 90 percent of export volumes, was 88,000 tonnes, down 38.6 percent in the first seven months of the year.

The EU, Canada, and the US were the top pork exporters to China.

China's pork imports from the EU rose five-fold to 13,000 tonnes, whereas imports from US and the Canada rose 19.9 percent and 4.1 percent respectively. Imports from the US reached 11,000 tonnes while that from Canada reached 6,000 tonnes.

US pork exports to China are expected to more than double this year as China placed more orders for US pork in the midst of a shortage. 

GAC predicted that with the state's policy of supporting pig farmers in place, domestic pork supply will rebound gradually, and the present situation of diving export and rising import should reach moderation soon.