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ARS Home » Midwest Area » West Lafayette, Indiana » Livestock Behavior Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #240756
Title: Pork Production System and its Development in Mainland China

Author
item Cheng, Heng Wei
item WANG, YOU-MING - Zhejiang University
item MENG, QING-PING - Zhejian University
item GUO, JIA - Zhejian University
item WANG, YI-ZHENG - Zhejian University

Submitted to: International Journal of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/18/2011
Publication Date: 5/1/2011
Citation: Cheng, H., Wang, Y., Meng, Q., Guo, J., Wang, Y. 2011. Pork Production System and its Development in Mainland China. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquaculture. 3:166-174.

Interpretive Summary: International trade creates new opportunities and challenges for U.S. animal agriculture. Bilateral trade with China will especially benefit U.S. animal agriculture in the emerging international 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 in China and the factors that may affect its development. Understanding the development of the swine system and its associated factors is critical to assessing China’s impact and implication in the emerging international agricultural market. This information can be used by farmers, swine industry and government agencies when planning pork production and international trade, especially with China.

Technical 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 creates new opportunities and challenges for U.S. animal agriculture. Bilateral trade with China will especially benefit U.S. animal agriculture in the emerging international 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 in China and the factors that may affect its development. Urbanization, available farmland, grain production, water resources, swine housing environments, 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 system and its associated factors is critical to assessing China’s impact and implication in the emerging international agricultural market.