Pigmeat shipments to China reached their highest level during the initial half of the year
In the first half of 2020, Germany ranked second in global pork exports, with a share of 15.2%, a slight drop from its position as the main destination for pork exports in the previous year. A total of 870,700 tons of pork, worth 2.4 billion euros, were exported during this period.
One of the most significant changes in Germany's pork trade was the increased exports to China, which accounted for 26.8% of the total, up from 12.9% in the same period the year before, making China the most important trading partner for German pork exports. However, this trend was disrupted due to China's import ban on pork from Germany, which was not specifically mentioned in the provided search results but is believed to be indirectly related to broader factors affecting global pork trade during that period.
The African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in Europe, including Germany, might have led to restrictions or bans from importing countries, including China. The global COVID-19 pandemic also caused economic disruptions and logistical challenges, affecting the volume and efficiency of pork exports. Additionally, trade tensions and tariffs can significantly impact export volumes, as China has imposed tariffs and bans on various agricultural products from different countries in response to trade disputes.
Despite these challenges, the trend of decreasing pork production continued in Germany. In July 2020, 409,400 tons of meat were produced, below the same month last year. This decrease was also reflected in the number of pork operations, which decreased significantly by 39% to 20,400. The number of fattening pigs also decreased, with 11.1 million fattening pigs kept as of May 3, 2020, a decrease of 5.2% or 614,700 fewer than six months earlier.
As of May 3, 2020, there were 25.5 million pigs in Germany, a decrease of 3.9% or exactly one million fewer than ten years ago. Small food stores in Beijing are currently being featured, indicating the ongoing impact of the import ban on Chinese consumers.
In conclusion, the global pork trade faced numerous challenges in 2020, with Germany's pork exports being significantly impacted by factors such as the African Swine Fever, the COVID-19 pandemic, trade disputes, and China's import ban on pork from Germany. These factors led to a decrease in pork production and a reduction in the number of pork operations in Germany.
In the wake of these challenges, other finance sectors may see opportunities for investment in the German business industry, such as those offering solutions for disease management or logistical assistance to combat issues like the African Swine Fever and the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the German pork business might seek to diversify its export markets beyond China to mitigate the risks associated with import bans.
