Eastern Asia: Pork Market 2025

Pork Market Size in Eastern Asia

The East Asian pork market shrank modestly to $X in 2022, waning by -2% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Pork Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, pork production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -8.0% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 103% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

China (X tons) remains the largest pork producing country in Eastern Asia, comprising approx. 93% of total volume. It was followed by South Korea (X tons), with a 2.8% share of total production. Japan (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 2.6% share.

In China, pork production contracted by an average annual rate of -1.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: South Korea (+2.6% per year) and Japan (+0.1% per year).

In 2022, the average pork yield in Eastern Asia reached X kg per head, approximately mirroring the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the yield increased by 13% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X kg per head. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the pork yield remained at a lower figure.

The global number of animals slaughtered for pork production contracted to X heads in 2022, which is down by -10.8% on the year before. In general, the number of producing animals showed a pronounced contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the number of producing animals increased by 28%. Over the period under review, this number reached the peak level at X heads in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, producing animals remained at a lower figure.

Pork Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2022, overseas shipments of pork increased by 21% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after four years of decline. In general, exports, however, recorded a abrupt contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 39%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, pork exports rose remarkably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a deep slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 34%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) and Hong Kong SAR (X tons) prevails in exports structure, together achieving 96% of total exports. Japan (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Japan (with a CAGR of +24.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest pork supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 68% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Hong Kong SAR ($X), with a 25% share of total exports.

In China, pork exports shrank by an average annual rate of -6.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Hong Kong SAR (-7.8% per year) and Japan (+19.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -9.9% against the previous year. Export price indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, pork export price decreased by -18.8% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 33%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (+3.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Pork Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2022, purchases abroad of pork decreased by -32.7% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, imports, however, recorded a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 55%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, pork imports dropped rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed tangible growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 60%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

China was the main importer of pork in Eastern Asia, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was near 49% of total imports in 2022. Japan (X tons) took a 28% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by South Korea (16%) and Hong Kong SAR (5%). Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +12.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($X), China ($X) and South Korea ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 92% of total imports.

China, with a CAGR of +14.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -4.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 3.4%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+2.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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