July 15, 2020

China meat imports increased 73.5% in first half of 2020

China's General Administration of Customs data showed China imported 4.75 million tonnes of meat (including offal) between January to June 2020, a 73.5% year-on-year increase, Reuters reported.

In June, China's customs data showed the country imported 896,000 tonnes of meat (including offal), a 9.8% increase compared to the 813,000 tonnes imported in May.

Darin Friedrichs, senior analyst at StoneX said he expected imports in June to dip after live hog prices dropped in May, adding that he projects China's meat imports to be lower in July as there are additional COVID-19 testing measures at ports of entry for imported meats.

Trade has slowed after China began COVID-19 tests on all frozen food arrival at ports, introduced after a major COVID-19 outbreak was discovered in a wholesale market in Beijing.

China's customs said pork imports increased 140% at 2.12 million tonnes in the first six months of this year, with beef imports also up 42.9% at 997,000 tonnes. No data was provided for June imports of pork and beef.

In March, April and May, China imported about 400,000 tonnes of meat each month. This is double the numbers of previous years.

-      Reuters