November 14, 2023

China likely to be world's top pork producer next year

China is expected to again take the top spot of the world ranking of pork producers in 2024, with a 48.4 % share in the overall total of 115.5 million tonnes and production reaching 55.9 million tonnes, which would represent a drop of 1.0% compared to 2023 (56.5 million tonnes), according to Pig333, citing data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In second place would be the European Union, with an 18.3% share and production reaching 21.2 million tonnes, representing a decrease of 1.6% compared to 2023, while the US would occupy third place, participating with an 11.0% share, with production that would stand at 12.7 million tonnes, a 2.2% increase compared to the previous year. The leading countries in Latin America, Brazil and Mexico would occupy the fourth and eighth places respectively, with production reaching 4.8 million tonnes and 1.6 million tonnes.

With a volume similar to that consolidated in 2023 (3.2 million tonnes), the EU would remain the largest pork exporter in 2024, with a share of 30.9% of the overall total (10.4 million tonnes). The US would occupy second place, accounting for 30.4% of exports and with a volume of 3.15 million tonnes, representing an increase of 2.8% over the previous year.

Brazil would occupy third place with a share of 14.8% and an export volume of 1.53 million tonnes, which would represent a 5.5% increase, pushing Canada into fourth place globally. Similar volumes are forecast for Mexico and Chile, which would reach 265 million tonnes, representing a growth of 1.9% for both countries, placing them in the fifth and sixth positions in the world ranking.

The ranking of importing countries would be led by China, which would participate with 23.6% of the world total (9.7 million tonnes) with a volume of 2.3 million tonnes, a figure that in turn would represent an increase of 1.1% compared to 2023. In second place, Japan is expected to have a share of 15.5%, while Mexico, in addition to occupying third place worldwide with 13.4% of the overall total, would remain the largest importer of pork in Latin America with 1.31 million tonnes.

Fourth and fifth places would be occupied by the United Kingdom and South Korea, respectively, with volumes of around 710,000 tonnes for each country.

With a share of over 50%, China would continue to lead global pork consumption in 2024 with approximately 58.1 million tonnes, while the EU and the US would occupy the second and third positions with shares of 15.7 and 8.7%, respectively.

Russia and Vietnam would rank fourth and fifth, respectively, with consumption volumes of around 3.8 million tonnes.

- Pig333