Pork prices in China have fallen 22% in a year thanks to cheap feed

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, from January to June 2025, 183.55 million pigs were processed at Chinese slaughterhouses, which is 14.5% more than in the same period in 2024. The increase in slaughter volumes led to an increase in the supply of pork and a decrease in prices for livestock and meat, Ukragrokonsult reports.

 

Live pig prices have fallen for six consecutive weeks, reaching 14.35 yuan/kg in mid-August, down 31.4% from a year earlier. Pork prices as of August 20 also fell to 24.93 yuan/kg, down 22% from a year earlier.

 

In the case of piglets, the decline was even longer: prices fell for fifteen consecutive weeks until they reached 33.25 yuan/kg, down 25.4% compared to last year.

 

Despite the price drop, pig farming remains profitable thanks to lower feed costs. Corn and soybean meal prices are at historically low levels due to record corn and soybean harvests in China and Brazil, which has helped to reduce costs. According to Zhu Zengyun, an analyst at the Beijing Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, pig farming has remained profitable for 15 consecutive months, although profitability has declined, with the average profit per farm falling below 100 yuan in July.

 

Pork consumption remains low during the hot season, although it is expected to recover in September. In the south of the country, it will increase significantly during the jerky season in late November.

 

The National Development and Reform Commission announced the next stage of stockpiling domestic frozen pork with the aim of removing the product from the market and stabilizing prices.

 

In addition, between January and July, China imported 626,000 tons of pork, up 4.1% from a year earlier, although imports fell by 0.6% in July.

 

Analysts expect slight seasonal growth and limited price fluctuations, with profitability remaining assured but continuing to decline.

 

The decline in pork prices has slightly increased consumption, confirming the slowdown in China's economy, so we should not expect an increase in demand for soybeans or corn from China in the coming months, especially if soybean planting in South America is carried out under favorable conditions.