China Sets New Pork Production Record as Imports Continue to Decline

China strengthened its position as the world’s largest pork producer in 2025, reaching a new production record while further reducing its reliance on imports. The shift reflects ongoing structural changes in domestic supply following the recovery of the national herd.

Pork production climbed to 59.38 million metric tons, marking a 4.1% year-on-year increase and surpassing previous output levels. This rebound followed a mild production decline in 2024 and signals renewed stability in the sector.

At the same time, pork imports continued to fall, though at a slower pace than in prior years. China imported 970,000 tons of pork meat and 1.19 million tons of pork offal in 2025, representing annual declines of 8.5% and 3.3%, respectively. Compared to 2020 levels, pork meat imports have dropped by nearly 78%, while offal imports show a more moderate but consistent reduction.

These trends confirm China’s growing self-sufficiency in pork production, with direct implications for global trade flows, exporting countries, and international pricing dynamics.