Pig World
  • News
      • Animal Health
      • Breeding
      • Business
      • Environment
      • EU
      • Food Safety
      • Housing
      • Marketing
      • NPA
      • National Pig Awards
      • New Products
      • Nutrition
      • People
      • Pig Fair
      • Politics
      • Training & Education
      • Welfare
  • Features
    • Animal Health
    • Breeding
    • Environment
    • Farm Visits
    • Herd Recording
    • Housing
    • Marketing
    • Nutrition
    • Products
    • Training
  • Comment
    • AHDB Pork
    • Chris Fogden
    • Dennis Bridgeford
    • Peter Crichton
    • Red Robin
    • Veterinary View
    • Zoe Davies, NPA
  • Numbers
  • Pig Prices
  • Magazines
    • June 2025
    • 2025 Innovation supplement
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • 2025 Buildings supplement
    • February 2025
    • 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • 2025 National Pig Awards supplement
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • 2024 Pig Health supplement
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • 2024 Innovation supplement
    • 2024 Pig & Poultry Fair Guide
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • 2024 Buildings Supplement
    • March 2024
    • 2024 Pig Nutrition supplement
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • 2023 National Pig Awards supplement
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • Health Supplement
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
Podcast
Pig WorldPig World
  • News
      • Animal Health
      • Breeding
      • Business
      • Environment
      • EU
      • Food Safety
      • Housing
      • Marketing
      • NPA
      • National Pig Awards
      • New Products
      • Nutrition
      • People
      • Pig Fair
      • Politics
      • Training & Education
      • Welfare
  • Features
    • Animal Health
    • Breeding
    • Environment
    • Farm Visits
    • Herd Recording
    • Housing
    • Marketing
    • Nutrition
    • Products
    • Training
  • Comment
    • AHDB Pork
    • Chris Fogden
    • Dennis Bridgeford
    • Peter Crichton
    • Red Robin
    • Veterinary View
    • Zoe Davies, NPA
  • Numbers
  • Pig Prices
  • Magazines
    1. June 2025
    2. 2025 Innovation supplement
    3. May 2025
    4. April 2025
    5. March 2025
    6. 2025 Buildings supplement
    7. February 2025
    8. 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    9. January 2025
    10. December 2024
    11. November 2024
    12. 2025 National Pig Awards supplement
    13. October 2024
    14. September 2024
    15. August 2024
    16. 2024 Pig Health supplement
    17. July 2024
    18. June 2024
    19. 2024 Innovation supplement
    20. 2024 Pig & Poultry Fair Guide
    21. May 2024
    22. April 2024
    23. 2024 Buildings Supplement
    24. March 2024
    25. 2024 Pig Nutrition supplement
    26. February 2024
    27. January 2024
    28. December 2023
    29. November 2023
    30. 2023 National Pig Awards supplement
    31. October 2023
    32. September 2023
    33. Health Supplement
    Featured

    June 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    June 4, 2025
    Recent

    June 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    June 4, 2025

    2025 Innovation supplement now available

    June 4, 2025

    May 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    May 1, 2025
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
LinkedIn X (Twitter)
Pig World
News

China’s influence on global pig prices

PW ReportersBy PW ReportersMay 30, 20193 Mins Read
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

Following a reported 20% drop in Chinese sow numbers as African Swine Fever took hold, pig prices in both Europe and the United States started to climb sharply in March. However, the market reaction has slowed in recent weeks.

Chinese demand for imported pork, both real and anticipated, has increased in the past two months. Indeed, the latestEU export figures show an escalation in shipments. At the same time, reports suggest slaughter pig numbers have been tightening in Europe, lending further support to prices.

eu-us-prices

The situation is less straightforward in the US. While the USDA has recorded substantial weekly pork sales to China, these volumes have not yet been reflected inactual shipments recorded by US customs. There had been optimism that US-China trade negotiations would result in the removal of the additional 50% tariff on US pork exports to China. This may have helped boost forward sales, and support farmgate prices.

However, some of the optimism around US-China trade relations has abated in recent weeks. The Chinese cancelled some orders of US pork in early May, and futures prices have cooled. With no end to the China-US trade war in sight, the outlook for this market has become more cautious.

outstanding-pork

AHDB analyst Bethan Wilkins said: “Market reports from continental Europe also suggest Chinese traders are now not accepting further price rises. The Chinese government has insisted all frozen pork stocks must be tested for ASF by July 1. This may be temporarily dampening import demand, as stored pork is pushed onto the market. With this in mind, the small supply of slaughter pigs in the EU has become increasingly important in pushing EU pig prices higher.

“Despite these bearish factors, it remains the case that Chinese pork production will fall substantially this year. In the second half of the year, import demand should start to strengthen again as pork stocks are depleted. This offers the potential for further price support.”

Meanwhile, the latest EU trade figures report a 15% year-on-year increase in pork exports in March to 218,900 tonnes, a considerable improvement from the 6% increase in the previous month.

eu-trade
Ms Wilkins added: “The ASF-related surge in Chinese import demand has boosted the EU export market, despite shipments falling to most other key destinations. China’s share of the EU pork export market reached 43%, with volumes up 63% (+36,700 tonnes).

However, exports to the US dropped back significantly (-38%, 5,200 tonnes), which is perhaps not surprising given expanding production there. South Korea also took less pork than last year (-12%, 3,300 tonnes).

Pig offal exports also strengthened by 13% in March, reaching 121,100 tonnes. Similar to the pork market, the Chinese market required additional supplies (+22%, 12,900 tonnes).

Share. LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
Previous ArticleOIE says China faces long struggle to tackle African Swine Fever
Next Article Industry achieves reduction in antibiotic usage for third year in a row
PW Reporters

Read Similar Stories

AHDB unveils new biosecurity tool available to support pig producers and vets

July 4, 2025

New grants available under £150m Capital Grants scheme

July 3, 2025

GB pig prices for week ending June 28, 2025 – SPP bounces back to reach year high

July 2, 2025
Latest News

AHDB unveils new biosecurity tool available to support pig producers and vets

July 4, 2025

Will weight of numbers prevail, as ministers reconsider MOP labelling?

July 4, 2025

Comment: Encouraging signs as big pig issues discussed in parliament

July 4, 2025
Sponsored Content

THE GATEKEEPER OF RESPIRATORY HEALTH – MYCOPLASMA HYOPNEUMONIAE (M.HYO)

April 30, 2024

Tackle the root cause of PWD with free diagnostic tests

March 1, 2024
Current Pig Industry jobs
  • Experienced Pig Stockperson – Ref 1757 South East England

    • South East England
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Pig Stockperson Farm Worker – Ref 1756 UK

    • United Kingdom
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Assistant Outdoor Pig Manager – Ref 1755 Oxfordshire

    • Oxfordshire
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
GETTING IN TOUCH
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Meet The Editors
  • About Us
  • Email Newsletters
  • Subscribe
  • Reuse permissions
OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
PARTNER EVENTS
RELATED SITES
  • Farmers Weekly
  • Agronomist & Arable Farmer
  • Farm Contractor
  • National Pig Awards
  • Pigs Tomorrow
  • Poultry News
  • Weekly Tribune
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
© 2024 MA Agriculture Ltd, a Mark Allen Group company

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.