China triples its meat imports in 5 years - 20 -25% of world imports China can no longer quench its own hunger for meat from its own production. Accelerated by the current failures due to the African swine fever (ASP), the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates the import requirements in 2019 at approx. 4.5 million t. That's three times the import volume of 5 years ago. China thus achieves the highest position in the world meat trade. Pork imports in 2019 are estimated at 2.2 million tonnes . This corresponds to an increase over the previous year by approx . + 41%. With a 25% import share, China ranks at the top of all world-class importing countries, giving it an influential position in pricing in this market. Looking at the possible production losses, there is even more potential for imports in view of the resulting shortfall in demand. That should drive prices on world markets.For the EU the USDA estimates pork exports amounting to 3.25 million t despite stagnant domestic production. That's 11% more than last year. Deliveries to China are likely to be at the forefront. Official imports of beef also tripled in the same period to 1.68 million tonnes . This is particularly noteworthy, because China's meat imports are known to buy as much "very cheap" meat . However, a growing middle class and upper class are increasingly demanding foods of higher quality. The current shortage of pork supports this development. Meanwhile, the unfounded fear that ASP-infected pork could be harmful to human beings spreads. In addition to the official imports of beef, there has been a non-legal import business in the order of approx. 1 million t.The goods (cara beef) come mainly from India, with which no trade relations are agreed, because the country is not free from foot-and-mouth disease. Although imports of poultry meat are increased, they remain within manageable limits at 0.6 million tonnes . In this case, the fear of the anthropomorphic variants of bird flu is actually justified. The total increase in China's meat imports for 2019 is approx. 32% compared to the previous year. Compared to the rest of the world, global import growth excluding China is 3.5%. This underlines once again the outstanding leverage effect of Chinese demand for the global meat market, with a focus on the pig and beef sectors.
