China increased pork imports by 17% in the first half of 2023

China imported 17% more pork and 8% more by-products in the first half of 2023. The increase marks that the country has once again increased its purchase of meat after the drop in pork imports in 2022. EU suppliers lost market share as prices were higher than third country competitors. According to preliminary data from the customs administration, the import volume, including by-products, increased by around 180,000 t or 13% to 1.54 million t. The value of imports has grown by 31% to 3,460 million euros, mainly due to higher prices for European exporters than their North American and Brazilian competitors. As a closer analysis shows, Chinese importers were particularly interested in buying fresh, chilled and frozen pork. The purchase of this item increased by 134,000 t or almost 17% compared to the first half of 2022 to just under 932,700 t. In contrast, imports of pork by-products increased by only 8% to 555,400 t. Spain continued to be the main supplier, but was only able to ...