In the first quarter of 2026, China reduced imports of both pork and offal, with the most significant decline observed in the meat segment. At the same time, the structure of imports continues to shift, with offal playing an increasingly important role.
According to available data, China imported about 70,000 tons of pork in January, with volumes dropping to 50,000 tons in February and slightly recovering to 60,000 tons in March. Overall, pork imports totaled 180,000 tons in the first three months of the year, representing a 33% decrease compared to the same period in 2025.
Offal imports also declined, though less sharply. Quarterly volumes reached approximately 280,000 tons, nearly 10% lower year-on-year. Monthly figures stood at 110,000 tons in January, 80,000 tons in February, and 90,000 tons in March.
In a longer-term perspective, the drop in pork imports is even more pronounced. Compared to the peak in the first quarter of 2021, import volumes in 2026 have fallen by 84%. In contrast, offal imports have shown a more stable trend.
Since 2024, China has been importing more offal than pork, indicating a structural shift in demand within the country’s swine sector.
Overall, the decline in pork imports alongside more stable demand for offal reflects a transformation of the market and may influence global trade flows in the pig industry.
PigUA.info, based on materials from pig333.com