The graph shows China’s pork import volumes more than doubling in 2016 before falling back slightly in 2017 due to higher expected domestic production. China has overtaken Japan as the largest importer, whilst of course it was already the largest producer.

Other news from the report is that the USDA are also predicting a 3% increase in global pork production to a record 111 million tonnes, allied to a 1% increase in imports to a record 8.6 million tonnes.

EU exports have jumped from 2.4 million tons in 2015 to 3.3 million tons this year and will maintain this volume in 2017. U.S. exports are on an upward trend, whilst Brazil comes ever closer to the 1 million tons landmark.