Pork production system and its development in mainland China

Abstract

Livestock production and marketing have been driven by the growing consumer demand for high quality and
low cost animal protein. As a result, intensive livestock industries have been rapidly developing globally.
International trade, especially with China, creates new opportunities and challenges for the emerging
international agriculture market. China provides an enormous market for international trade by stimulating its
import and export activities. Pigs are the primary farm animals raised for human consumption in China, and
the development of pork production systems in China will affect its trade globally. To meet the need for
developing international animal agriculture and trade, this article describes the current status of the swine
industry, its production in China and the factors that may affect its development. Urbanization, available
farmland, grain production, water resources and management practices encompass some of these factors. In
addition, the effects of the culture, religion and education of the populations on the development of swine
sector in China are also discussed. Understanding the development of the swine production system and its
associated factors is critical to assessing China’s impact and implication in the emerging international
agricultural market.