THE country’s pork imports rose 76 percent in August from the same month a year earlier, customs data showed yesterday, as the world’s top consumer of the meat stocked up on supplies after a deadly disease decimated its pig herd. China took in 162,935 tons of pork last month, data from the General Administration of Customs shows, up 76 percent from August 2018 but down from July’s 182,227 tons. A year-long epidemic of deadly African swine fever has reduced the world’s top pig herd by almost 40 percent, according to official data, pushing up meat prices to 41.9 yuan (US$5.89) per kg and driving the country’s food price index to its highest since January 2012. China’s pork imports for the first eight months of the year were 1.16 million tons, up 40.4 percent from a year earlier. Beef imports reached 130,619 tons, up 32 percent, bringing volumes for the first eight months to 980,334 tons, a 54 percent jump from a year ago. Imports of chicken in August rose 51 percent to 67,074 tons, with total volumes so far this year at 483,743 tons, a 48 percent rise. Meat imports are forecast to rise further, with the commerce ministry saying higher shipments and the release of frozen pork reserves would help ensure supplies. Xinhua said earlier this month that the country will buy more agricultural products from the United States including pork, waiving tariffs on the imports. (SD-Agencies) |