China - Peoples Republic of LIVESTOCK AND PRODUCTS SEMI-ANNUAL - USDA FAS

China - Peoples Republic of LIVESTOCK AND PRODUCTS SEMI-ANNUAL - USDA FAS

FAS Beijing forecasts China’s beef production in 2010 will fall five percent due to a continued fall in China’s cattle herd. High Chinese beef prices will boost beef imports, with beef imports forecast to jump one-third to 30,000 metric tons (MT). Beef exports are forecast to slide 25 percent to 28,000 MT due to high Chinese beef prices. Rising swine and productive sow inventories and a stronger Chinese economy in 2010 will boost Chinese pork production four percent to 50.6 million MT. Despite higher domestic production, Chinese pork imports will rebound from sharply lower levels in 2009 to 220,000 MT, fueled by stronger demand in 2010. China’s live swine and pork exports in 2010 are forecast to increase four and three percent respectively to 1.78 million head and 240,000 MT, bolstered by higher sales to Hong Kong.