January 9, 2020

 

China's sow herd increased 2.2% in December compared to month prior

 

Yu Kangzhen, vice minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said the country's sow herd is now up 7% since September, with swine stocks also increasing in November for the first time in 2019, reported Reuters.

 

The vice minister did not reveal swine December 2019 data. However, he said swine sent for slaughter was up 14.1% compared to the previous month as farmers profit from the upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations in late January 2020.

 

According to official data, close to 40% of sow herds in China were decimated from the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in the country, with many farmers forced to terminate their business as it has become difficult to restock their farms.

 

Yu said there are sufficient meat supplies to meet increased demand for the Lunar New Year, especially as more than 100,000 tonnes of frozen pork have been released from state reserves since December last year.

 

To supplement dwindling supplies of pork in the country, China has looked to boost production of other meats. Yang Zhenhai, director of the ministry's animal husbandry and veterinary bureau said output of poultry in China rose 15% to three million tonnes in 2019.

 

Yu said preventing further ASF outbreaks continues to be a complex undertaking and remains the biggest risk to the recovery of swine herds in China.

 

Yu added that confirmed ASF outbreaks have dropped, but the possibility of new ASF outbreaks might rise with the recovery of swine herds. The task of preventing ASF through washing and disinfection will become more difficult as the cold weather freezes water.

 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and local authorities have confirmed one new ASF case among 10 outbreak reports.

 

Pan Chenjun, Rabobank senior analyst said the first week of January has seen live hog prices rise and is projected to keep increasing with the upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations because of declining pork supplies.

 

In a November Rabobank report, the bank forecasted China's swine herds will continue to decline this year, with herds 55% smaller compared to the start of the ASF outbreak in mid-2018.

 

-      Reuters