China tightens pig farming controls to stabilize pork prices

China, one of the world’s leading pork producers, is facing serious challenges in its pork sector. Amid a production glut and falling pork prices, the country’s regulators are taking measures to stabilize the situation. At a recent meeting with representatives of the largest pork companies, strategies for reducing breeding stock and stabilizing the market situation were discussed.

Over the past few years, pork production in China has increased significantly, with growth rates for the largest players ranging from 30% to 105% through 2025. This has led to total production exceeding 59 million tons in 2025, a record high. However, this sharp increase has had serious consequences: overproduction is underway, negatively impacting prices and producer margins, threatening farm profitability.

In response, Chinese authorities have decided to increase oversight of the pork sector. The main measure was a reduction in the number of productive sows, which should help reduce overall pork production and stabilize the market. The need to improve the system for monitoring and forecasting supply and demand was also emphasized.

Despite the authorities’ efforts, the market continues to be under pressure. While reducing the sow population may lead to the desired price stabilization, it risks triggering future pork shortages, which could cause further problems for consumers. China continues to seek a balance between production capacity and consumer demand to avoid a repeat of the sharp price decline.

Tags: China, pork