Although the overall import volume increased only slightly — by 3.6% compared to the first half of 2024 (1.11 million tonnes) — this shift signals a rebound from the decline observed during the same period in 2024 compared to 2023.
What stands out most is the consistent rise in the share of by-products. Between January and June 2025, by-product imports increased by 3.3% year-on-year, reaching 620,000 tonnes. This confirms that by-products have become the dominant category of pork imports. For context: in 2020, they accounted for only 25% of China’s pork imports, but the share has steadily increased since, surpassing 50% for two consecutive years.
Analysts attribute this trend to both economic and cultural factors. On the one hand, consumers are more price-sensitive, and by-products offer a more affordable alternative. On the other hand, by-products have long held a prominent place in traditional Chinese cuisine.
For global pork exporters, this trend signals a shift in focus: products once considered secondary are now turning into a major export opportunity to the Chinese market.
PigUA.info based on materials from pig333.com