Following a massive decrease in pork meat imports during H1 2022, China's pork imports increased in H1 2023 compared to the same period of the previous year. According to preliminary data from the customs administration, the volume of imports, including by-products, increased by around 180,000 tonnes, or 13%, to 1.54 million tonnes. Import expenditure indicated an even stronger increase of 31% to €3.46 billion; this can be attributed to elevated global pork prices.
High European price levels compared to international competitors from North America and Brazil challenged EU exports through H1 2023, decreasing EU market share in the important Chinese market.
Even though Spain remained the main supplier, Spanish exports increased only by a below-average 2.4%, to 351,700 tonnes.
While European exporters struggled with high EU price levels, Brazilian exports took advantage, expanding deliveries of fresh and frozen pork to the China by about one-third, to 220,800 tonnes. In addition, about 10,500 tonnes of by-products were sold.
In addition to Brazil, the US and Canada also profited from the high EU price levels. The US increased its exports to China by 30% to 228,900 tonnes. Canada was even more dynamic, with exports increasing by more than half to 125,300 tonnes. Both North American countries were able to significantly increase their sales of abattoir by-products to China, which other countries were not able to do.
