May 11, 2021

China to see 19.2% increase in number of slaughter pigs in 2021

The number of slaughter pigs in China is expected to grow by 19.2% this year, reaching 613 million head.

Total pork production is forecast at 49.27 million tonnes, an increase of 19.8% year-on-year.

"It is expected that the supply of slaughter pigs will increase significantly from the fourth quarter of 2021," said Dr. Zhu Zengyong, chief analyst on pork trade under China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA). "The annual domestic pork production of nearly 50 million tonnes plus imported pork is basically close to the 2017 pork supply level."

Since the first outbreak of African swine fever in China fin late 2018, the Chinese government has been seeking a recovery of the pig production sector.

Dr. Zhu admitted that fresh ASF outbreaks from last December through February had hampered pig production in certain regions, mostly in north China.

However, he added that the entire pig production capacity in the country has significantly recovered, and the impact will only reduce the speed or extent of capacity recovery rather than a complete reversal.

- Pig Progress