China cuts back on pork as excess hog supply drives down prices
Agricultural officials will take steps to reduce the country’s breeding stocks as price drops for pork, poultry and duck put farmers under pressure
In response to a persistent oversupply of pigs that has contributed to a steep drop in pork prices, China’s agricultural authorities have announced concrete plans to cut back on the country’s breeding stock.
Analysts noted weak end-market demand and high inventory levels are weighing heavily on the sector, and while marginal improvements are expected in the second half of the year, the overall scope for recovery remains limited.
“This round of losses has lasted more than seven months, unlike anything the industry has experienced before,” said Liu Changsheng, head of the Shandong Duck Breeding Alliance industry group, in an interview with financial news platform CLS.cn.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, by the end of June the national breeding sow inventory stood at 40.43 million – down 370,000 from its peak in 2024, but still 3.7 per cent above the official target of 39 million.