China's massive appetite for meat is reshaping not just its own agricultural landscape but the global food trade, a reality underscored by the staggering 86.48 million metric tons it produced in 2022 while still importing millions more to satisfy a demand that saw pork alone account for 65% of its 63 million-ton annual consumption.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, China's total meat production was 86.48 million metric tons, marking a 1.5% increase from 2021
- China's pork production in 2023 is projected at 55.6 million metric tons, up 2% from 2022 due to recovery from African Swine Fever
- Poultry meat production in China reached 24.8 million metric tons in 2022, accounting for 28.7% of total meat output
- Per capita pork production was 38 kg in 2022
- China's total meat consumption reached 63 million metric tons in 2022, up 2.8% YoY
- Pork consumption volume was 41.2 million tons in 2022, 65% of total meat intake
- China's pork exports totaled 0.15 million metric tons in 2022, up 25% YoY
- Poultry meat exports reached 0.45 million tons in 2022, mainly to Japan and EU
- Pork export value was USD 0.32 billion in 2022
- China's pork imports surged to 2.02 million metric tons in 2022
- Pork import value reached USD 7.8 billion in 2022, mainly from Brazil and US
- Brazil supplied 55% of China's pork imports at 1.1 million tons in 2022
- China's meat market size valued at USD 450 billion in 2022
- Pork sector market share 55% of total meat industry revenue in 2022
- Poultry market projected to grow at CAGR 5.2% to USD 120 billion by 2027
China's meat industry continues growing, with pork production recovering and poultry output expanding significantly.
Consumption Statistics
- Per capita pork production was 38 kg in 2022
- China's total meat consumption reached 63 million metric tons in 2022, up 2.8% YoY
- Pork consumption volume was 41.2 million tons in 2022, 65% of total meat intake
- Poultry meat consumption grew to 16.5 million tons in 2022, CAGR 4.1% since 2018
- Beef consumption hit 10.2 million tons in 2022, driven by urban middle-class demand
- Per capita meat consumption rose to 45 kg in 2022 from 40 kg in 2018
- Urban pork consumption per capita was 32 kg in 2021, rural at 22 kg
- Chicken consumption increased 5% to 14 kg per capita in 2022
- Mutton consumption totaled 5.1 million tons in 2022, popular in northern regions
- Processed meat products consumption grew 6.2% to 25 million tons in 2022
- Household pork expenditure accounted for 8.5% of food budget in 2022
- Duck meat consumption reached 4.2 million tons in 2021
- Beef demand projected to rise 3.5% annually to 2030
- Total protein from meat was 25% of dietary intake in 2022
- Online meat sales volume hit 8 million tons in 2022, up 15%
- Per capita poultry consumption expected 15 kg by 2025
- Pork belly consumption surged 12% in festivals like Chinese New Year 2023
- Vegetarian trends reduced meat intake by 2% among youth in 2022 survey
- Institutional catering meat use was 12 million tons in 2022
- Chicken wing demand up 20% in fast food sector 2022
- Total meat import dependency for beef was 25% in 2022
- Regional consumption: Sichuan province consumed 2.5 million tons pork in 2021
- Foodservice sector meat consumption recovered to 18 million tons post-COVID 2022
- Per capita mutton intake 3.6 kg in 2022, highest in Ningxia
- Packaged meat sales volume 15 million tons in 2022
- Pork liver offal consumption 1.2 million tons annually
- Poultry breast meat preference rose to 40% of chicken cuts in urban areas 2022
- China's meat consumption growth slowed to 1.8% in 2023 forecast
- Beef rib cuts accounted for 25% of consumption value in 2022
- Total household meat purchase frequency averaged 4.2 times/week in 2022 survey
Consumption Statistics Interpretation
China's dinner plate is a masterclass in pork-centric pragmatism, where every statistic—from the 65% dominance of pork to the urbanite's sophisticated beef rib and the youth's tentative tofu—paints a portrait of a nation chewing thoughtfully on the complex trade-offs between tradition, taste, and tomorrow.
Exports
- China's pork exports totaled 0.15 million metric tons in 2022, up 25% YoY
- Poultry meat exports reached 0.45 million tons in 2022, mainly to Japan and EU
- Pork export value was USD 0.32 billion in 2022
- China exported 50,000 tons of beef in 2022, primarily to Hong Kong
- Duck meat exports hit 120,000 tons in 2021
- Total meat exports volume grew 18% to 1.2 million tons in 2022
- Pork trotters exported 80,000 tons to Southeast Asia in 2022
- Chicken paw exports to US reached 300,000 tons in 2022, USD 1.2 billion value
- Mutton exports were 25,000 tons in 2022, down due to domestic demand
- Frozen pork export share was 90% of total pork shipments in 2022
- Beef export destinations: 70% to Hong Kong/Macau in 2022
- Rabbit meat exports totaled 15,000 tons, mainly to EU
- Poultry export growth to Vietnam was 30% in 2022
- China's share in global pork exports was 2.5% in 2022
- Offal exports like pork liver reached 100,000 tons in 2022
- Goose meat exports 20,000 tons to Middle East in 2022
- Meat export inspection passed 1.5 million tons in 2022 by AQSIQ
- Pork export price averaged USD 2,100/ton in 2022
- Chicken breast exports banned in some markets but wings exported 250k tons
- Total meat export revenue USD 3.5 billion in 2022
- Beef heart and tongue exports 10,000 tons to Japan 2022
- Export quota for pork to Philippines was 50,000 tons in 2022
- Poultry exports to South Korea grew 15% to 100,000 tons 2022
- Mutton halal exports to Muslim countries 18,000 tons 2022
Exports Interpretation
While China’s domestic tables remain steadfastly loyal to pork, the world is increasingly savoring the nation's poultry, trotters, and paws, proving that in the global meat trade, every last part has its place and profit.
Imports
- China's pork imports surged to 2.02 million metric tons in 2022
- Pork import value reached USD 7.8 billion in 2022, mainly from Brazil and US
- Brazil supplied 55% of China's pork imports at 1.1 million tons in 2022
- US pork exports to China totaled 0.45 million tons in 2022
- Poultry meat imports hit 1.1 million tons in 2022, 70% frozen chicken paws
- Beef imports reached 3.4 million tons in 2022, record high
- Australia beef imports to China 1.2 million tons, 35% share in 2022
- Argentina supplied 0.8 million tons frozen beef to China in 2022
- Mutton imports totaled 0.42 million tons in 2022, from New Zealand and Australia
- EU pork imports to China grew 20% to 0.25 million tons in 2022
- Russia poultry imports 0.15 million tons despite tariffs in 2022
- Brazil beef imports peaked at 1.5 million tons in 2022
- New Zealand lamb imports 0.25 million tons, 60% of total mutton imports 2022
- Canada pork imports 0.1 million tons in 2022
- Frozen whole chicken imports from Brazil 400,000 tons 2022
- Beef import tariffs averaged 12% but many zero-tariff quotas used in 2022
- Pork belly imports 300,000 tons primarily from EU in 2022
- Poultry leg quarter imports declined 10% to 200,000 tons due to domestic supply 2022
- Total meat imports volume 5.8 million tons in 2022, up 5%
- India buffalo meat imports negligible but growing to 5,000 tons 2022
- Uruguay beef exports to China 0.4 million tons in 2022
Imports Interpretation
China's meat imports tell a tale of a nation that, while fiercely protecting its domestic poultry leg quarters, has decisively outsourced its dinner plate, paying a premium to turn Brazil into its butcher, the Americas into its feedlot, and New Zealand into its shepherd.
Market and Policy
- China's meat market size valued at USD 450 billion in 2022
- Pork sector market share 55% of total meat industry revenue in 2022
- Poultry market projected to grow at CAGR 5.2% to USD 120 billion by 2027
- Beef market size USD 80 billion in 2022, imports driving growth
- Top 10 meat processors controlled 35% market share in 2022
- Government subsidies for pig farming totaled RMB 20 billion in 2022
- Meat price index rose 4.5% in 2022 CPI, pork up 10%
- African Swine Fever vaccination policy covered 95% of herds by 2022
- Carbon emission regulations target 20% reduction in livestock by 2030
- Retail pork price averaged RMB 28/kg in 2022
- Industry consolidation: farms over 5,000 pigs 50% of production in 2022 policy push
- Halal meat market grew 15% to USD 10 billion in 2022
- E-commerce meat sales 20% of total retail in 2022
- Antibiotic use regulations reduced by 40% in meat production 2019-2022
- Meat industry FDI inflows USD 2.5 billion in 2022
- Wholesale poultry price RMB 12/kg average 2022
- Biosecurity standards upgraded for 80% large farms by 2022
- Plant-based meat alternatives market USD 1.2 billion in 2022, impacting traditional
- Pork futures trading volume on Dalian Exchange 10 million tons equivalent 2022
- Labor costs in meat processing rose 8% to RMB 5,000/month average 2022
- Zero-COVID policy impacted supply chain, meat prices up 15% Q1 2022
Market and Policy Interpretation
While China's pork sector still rules the sty, the entire meat industry is rapidly modernizing through consolidation, regulation, and a dash of e-commerce, all while navigating the delicate balance between a hungry population, stubborn prices, and ambitious sustainability goals.
Production Statistics
- In 2022, China's total meat production was 86.48 million metric tons, marking a 1.5% increase from 2021
- China's pork production in 2023 is projected at 55.6 million metric tons, up 2% from 2022 due to recovery from African Swine Fever
- Poultry meat production in China reached 24.8 million metric tons in 2022, accounting for 28.7% of total meat output
- Beef production in China was 7.38 million metric tons in 2022, with a growth rate of 5.2% year-over-year
- In 2021, mutton and goat meat production totaled 5.32 million metric tons, supported by expanded sheep farming in Inner Mongolia
- China's broiler chicken slaughter volume hit 15.2 billion heads in 2022, producing 23.5 million tons of meat
- Pork hog slaughter in China was 710 million heads in 2022, recovering to pre-ASF levels
- Duck meat production reached 4.8 million metric tons in 2021, with Shandong province leading at 40% share
- In 2023 Q1, total meat production grew 3.1% to 21.5 million tons, driven by pork output increase of 5.2%
- China's pig iron equivalent feed use for pork production was 160 million tons in 2022
- Layer hen production yielded 30 million tons of eggs, indirectly supporting poultry meat sector with culled hens
- Beef cattle inventory stood at 92.6 million heads in 2022, up 1.8% from prior year
- Pork production per sow improved to 28.5 piglets in 2022 from 25 in 2020 due to better genetics
- Total poultry inventory reached 5.9 billion birds in 2022
- Mutton production in Xinjiang region was 0.85 million tons in 2022, 16% of national total
- China's 2022 rabbit meat production was 0.32 million tons, down 2% due to high feed costs
- Industrial-scale pig farms produced 75% of total pork in 2022, up from 60% in 2018
- Poultry meat output in Guangdong province hit 2.1 million tons in 2021
- National average pork carcass weight increased to 115 kg/head in 2022
- Beef production growth projected at 4.5% for 2023 to 7.7 million tons
- In 2022, China's total live pig inventory was 448 million heads by year-end
- Goose meat production totaled 0.75 million tons in 2021, led by Anhui province
- Pork self-sufficiency rate reached 97.5% in 2022
- Breeding sow inventory stabilized at 42.5 million heads in 2022
- Poultry slaughter rate averaged 2.5 kg/bird for broilers in 2022
- Beef cow inventory was 45.2 million heads in 2022
- Total meat processing capacity exceeded 100 million tons annually in 2022
- Piglet survival rate improved to 96.5% in large-scale farms in 2022
- China's 2021 turkey meat production was negligible at under 0.1 million tons
- Annual growth in pork production averaged 3% from 2019-2022 post-ASF
Production Statistics Interpretation
While China's dinner plate remains dominated by the mighty pig, marching back with 710 million reinforcements, a quietly efficient poultry brigade now claims nearly a third of the kingdom’s protein, proving that even in recovery, diversification is the real main course.
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