October 14, 2020

China imported 834,000 tonnes of meat in September

China's General Administration of Customs said the country imported 834,000 tonnes of meat in September, higher than August's 832,000 tonnes, Reuters reported.

The increased imports suggests that China is not affected by the suspension of exports they have imposed on overseas plants that have reported COVID-19 outbreaks among workers.

The customs said imports have increased 72% at 7.41 million tonnes between January to September this year.

China's swine output dropped 19% between January to June this year as a result of African swine fever outbreaks in the country that have devastated China's massive swine herd.

China's General Administration of Customs said in a separate statement that pork imports hit 3.29 million tonnes tonnes between January to September, a 132.2% increase year on year.

Reuters calculations showed China's September imports reached 380,000 tonnes, higher than August's 350,000 tonnes.

Beef imports was 1.57 million tonnes between January to September, a 38.8% increase year on year. Based on Reuters' calculations, China's beef imports in September is 180,000 tonnes.

-      Reuters