African Swine Fever Hits Hard in China
China鈥檚 Agriculture Ministry says more than 80 percent of hog farms in China have decided not to replenish herds lost to African Swine Fever, leaving a gap in production.
Reports say China鈥檚 hog production has dropped 21 percent since the first ASF outbreak. American Farm Bureau economist Michael Nepveux cites a private estimate that ASF will take 30 percent of China鈥檚 hog herd.
鈥淲e鈥檙e getting quite a few reports from private companies operating in the areas as well as general news and social media reports that the actual problem is much worse than what China is officially reporting,鈥 Nepveux said.
To provide perspective, 鈥15 to 20 percent of China鈥檚 would be the entirety of the U.S. herd,鈥 he said.
The decline will lead to lower demand for soybean and feed products but will increase demand for pork products, since pork accounts for more than 60 percent of the country鈥檚 meat consumption.
Sources: Brownfield Ag News, Farm Bureau