April 15, 2020

China's pork imports up three times higher on March 2020

According to customs data, China's pork imports close to tripled in March to record highs compared to year prior, attributed to supply deficits caused by the African swine fever (ASF), reported Reuters.

The biggest pork consumers in the world imported 391,000 tonnes of pork in March 2020, close to three times higher compared to the 127,218 tonnes imported in March 2019 based on Reuters' calculations from China's General Administration of Customs data.

First quarter pork imports hit 951,000 tonnes, close to double the total compared to the year prior.

Supplies have been decimated due to ASF, plus an extended Lunar New Year holiday imposed to control the spread of COVID-19 also led to shipment backlogs at China's ports. This resulted in increased shipments last month that passed through backlogs.

Pork imports in January and February 2020 reached 560,000 tonnes, a 158% increase compared to the year prior.

Customs data showed beef imports hit 531,000 tonnes in the first quarter, a 65% increase. This means March imports hit 233,875 tonnes, after deduction 297,125 tonnes reported for January and February 2020.

However, beef imports are projected to drop sharply as demand has fallen from the foodservice industry.

China had purchased US$5.05 billion worth of agriculture goods from the United States in the first quarter, a 110% increase. From these imports, US pork accounted for 168,000 tonnes.

-      Reuters