Shifting winds in global pork trade

Sep 25, 2023

The world of pork trade is witnessing a fascinating turn of events. A recent report by Rabobank shines a spotlight on how competition is heating up among major exporters, with Brazil and the US leveraging their low-cost production capabilities to gain an edge. In contrast, Europe seems to be facing music with rising market and regulatory requirements related to animal welfare and sustainability.

Disease pressure continues to cast shadows over the pig sector. Regions experimenting with innovations such as vaccines and gene editing might just pull ahead in this race. African swine fever (ASF) remains a significant concern, reshaping trade patterns, and especially affecting Asia and European exporters.

Brazil is making waves with its cost efficiency. Despite a surge in production costs, it holds a competitive edge over its European counterparts. Capturing 24% of China's pork imports in 2022, Brazil is now China’s second-largest supplier.

Europe is dancing to a different tune. Facing a projected 8% decline in production in 2023 and higher production costs due to increased sustainability and animal welfare standards, Europe is pivoting more towards local consumption.

North America, on the other hand, is holding its ground as a low-cost supplier, with the US and Canada continuing to play a pivotal role in global trade, thanks to affordable feed and key market access.

Interestingly, China achieved a 95% self-sufficiency in pork production in 2022, yet it continues to be a major importer, alongside Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and the Philippines.

Global pork consumption is set to grow until 2030. Countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, Brazil, Mexico, and China are expected to drive this growth, offsetting the decline in European consumption.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.