China is the world’s largest pork producer and, with more than a billion mouths to feed, the largest consumer as well.
Still, China has an oversupply, pork prices have dropped below breakeven and in late spring the government responded by buying pork and freezing it in reserves.
It has been two years since China had a pork shortage because of a harsh winter and blue ear disease. Unwilling to rely on imports, the government responded by offering incentives and more large pork facilities were built to boost livestock numbers. High prices helped.