January 17, 2021

China meat imports in 2021 decline 5.4%

Data from China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) showed meat imports declined 5.4% in 2021 compared to 2020, as increased domestic supply reduced demand for overseas supplies, Reuters reported.

More than half of imported meat was pork, with one quarter being beef.

GACC data showed China imported 9.38 million tonnes of meat in 2021, lower than the 9.1 million in 2020.

Domestic producers have increased pork production following the African swine fever (ASF) epidemic in 2018 and 2019.

Local pork prices have fallen last year and is now 14% down in 2022, affecting exported meat prices.

A leading exporter of pork and poultry to China who sought anonymity said 2021 was tough because of the lower prices and logistics.

Even though overall value of meat imports was 4.6% higher at $32 billion, it was due to beef, the exporter said. He added tight global supply and declining pork prices have also affected prices of chicken.

Pan Chenjun, a senior analyst at Rabobank, said stricter measures have been enforced in recent months to stop keep COVID-19 from entering the country on the surface of frozen foods.

Meat imports in December 2021 was 654,000 tonnes, 32% lower compared to December 2020 and lower than November 2021's total of 677,000 tonnes, based on GACC data.

Pan said imports will decline further as domestic supply grows.

-      Reuters