China has ramped up its pigmeat imports from the EU by more than 40% in the early part of 2019.
Latest figures from the European Commission show that the EU28 countries exported 813,001t carcase weight equivalent (CWE) to China between January and May this year.
That was a 42.6% increase on the same period last year, when the figure was 570,234t for the same five-month period.
China and Hong Kong are the biggest destination, in volume terms, for European pigmeat.
European pig prices are running about 20% higher than last year, while piglet prices are up almost 40% on the same time last year.
African swine fever
China’s swine herd has been decimated by African swine fever (ASF), which has spread rapidly since last summer.
In April, Rabobank said ASF had affected 200 million pigs in China, with pork production expected to fall by 30%.
China is the biggest consumer of pork in the world, so the drop in domestic production has resulted in a spike in imports into the country.
The disease does not affect humans or other species.
Beef
China also ramped up its beef imports from the EU by 153% in the first five months of 2019, albeit from a low base.
Latest figures from the European Commission show that reports of beef from Europe to China for January to May 2019 were 7,178t carcase weight equivalent (CWE).
This is almost the same amount as it imported in all of 2018, when the annual total stood at 7,347t.
If the movement of beef from Europe to China continues on its current trajectory, then it could more than double this year.
Vietnam too has rapidly increased its imports of beef from Europe.
From January to May this year, it took in 5,425t CWE, a 153.8% increase on the same five-month period last year.
In all of 2018, it imported 9,171t CWE. The export figures include offal.
Read more
‘Urgent need to tighten controls in EU over African swine fever’
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Keeping African swine fever out of Ireland
China has ramped up its pigmeat imports from the EU by more than 40% in the early part of 2019.
Latest figures from the European Commission show that the EU28 countries exported 813,001t carcase weight equivalent (CWE) to China between January and May this year.
That was a 42.6% increase on the same period last year, when the figure was 570,234t for the same five-month period.
China and Hong Kong are the biggest destination, in volume terms, for European pigmeat.
European pig prices are running about 20% higher than last year, while piglet prices are up almost 40% on the same time last year.
African swine fever
China’s swine herd has been decimated by African swine fever (ASF), which has spread rapidly since last summer.
In April, Rabobank said ASF had affected 200 million pigs in China, with pork production expected to fall by 30%.
China is the biggest consumer of pork in the world, so the drop in domestic production has resulted in a spike in imports into the country.
The disease does not affect humans or other species.
Beef
China also ramped up its beef imports from the EU by 153% in the first five months of 2019, albeit from a low base.
Latest figures from the European Commission show that reports of beef from Europe to China for January to May 2019 were 7,178t carcase weight equivalent (CWE).
This is almost the same amount as it imported in all of 2018, when the annual total stood at 7,347t.
If the movement of beef from Europe to China continues on its current trajectory, then it could more than double this year.
Vietnam too has rapidly increased its imports of beef from Europe.
From January to May this year, it took in 5,425t CWE, a 153.8% increase on the same five-month period last year.
In all of 2018, it imported 9,171t CWE. The export figures include offal.
Read more
‘Urgent need to tighten controls in EU over African swine fever’
Over 300kg of illegal meat and dairy products seized at airports
Keeping African swine fever out of Ireland
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