April 3, 2020

 

China imports French breeding swine to replenish herd

 

More than 4,000 French breeding swine have been imported to China currently, with more expected to arrive as China aims to replenish its African swine fever (ASF) decimated herd, reported Reuters.

 

Since ASF was first discovered in China late 2018, it has killed tens of millions of swine and cut 60% of is sow herd.

 

Increasing swine prices and government introduced measures to boost production numbers has attracted farmers to order more swine. Some farmers have doubled contracts signed prior to ASF, with charters valued at close to 1.5 million EUR (~US$1.6 million; 1 EUR = US$1.08 ).

 

Marie Pushparajalingam, French swine genetics company Axiomglobal strategist said the situation is like World War Two.

 

China takes advantage of imported breeding swine to pass on traits like added productivity and higher meat quality. Top breeding sows may have about 16 piglets at a time. 

 

Pushparajalingam said Axiom exported 3,400 swine to China, signing deals for an additional six-plane load of breeding sows for the rest of this year. The company expects more business.

 

China's Dekang Group said it has imported 500 boars from Dutch firm TopigsNorsvin, to be used in a nucleus breeding farmto produce 20 million swine.

 

700 million annually is slaughtered in China to output 50 million tonnes of pork, half of the world's total consumption. However, ASF cut output by 21% in 2019, pushing swine prices to record highs as production is expected to drop again in 2020.

 

China's fattened swine costs 35 RMB (~US$4.93; 1 RMB = US$0.14) / kg, three times higher than in France.

 

Local authorities have offered import subsidies up to 2,000 RMB per swine to farmers, under pressure by the government to achieve pork production targets.

 

Many producers in China are tackling sow shortage, some saving female swine usually meant for slaughter to be used in breeding farms. Compared to imported breeding swine, these sows produce smaller litters.

 

China's customs said it will approve additional countries to export swine to China and is currently working to restart exports from the United States. The United States has been unable to export to China because of the trade war.

 

Import numbers are expected to be low due to troublesome quarantine procedures and COVID-19 related issues. Swine meant for import to China must go through health checks for a month, with another month spent under quarantine observed by an official vet from China. Upon arrival to China, the swine must go through another 45 days in a quarantine centre to make sure the swine has no diseases.

 

Laurent Poussart, pig freight specialist Francexporcmanager said COVID-19 has complicated shipments. There are fewer cargo planes travelling between Europe and China, which has pushed costs higher. Moreover, foreign crew are not allowed to disembark in China.

 

-      Reuters