Will China meat consumption rebound in 2021?

Driven by higher estimates for pork, the China total meat import forecasts for both 2020 and 2021 are revised 4% and 1% higher, respectively, according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Livestock and Poultry World Markets and Trade report. Although pork import growth slowed in the fourth quarter of 2020, it exceeded expectations and results in a more bullish outlook for 2021.

“The impact of African swine fever (ASF) is expected to have reached its zenith in 2020, pressuring consumption and increasing the country’s reliance on meat imports,” the report said.

Even with the elevated pace of trade, China meat consumption fell to its lowest level in more than a decade last year. In 2021, higher estimates for both China pork production and imports lead total meat consumption up 2% from the prior forecast, the report noted. Still, total meat consumption is expected to be below pre-ASF levels.

AgWeb

Tags: China, Meat, meat consumption