Brighter picture painted for pig farmers

In addition to Luchuan, many pork producers nationwide have stepped up efforts to restore output following heavy losses. By late last month, 24 provincial-level areas had announced measures to encourage pork production, and there were signs that output was rising, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

In September, pig stocks at major farms had risen by 0.6 percent, compared with the previous month, Wei Baigang, chief of the ministry's Development and Planning Department, said at a news conference at the end of last month. Meanwhile, the number of breeding sows in stock rose by 3.7 percent compared with August.

The figures were based on monitoring of pig farms producing more than 5,000 animals annually.

With production beginning to rise, ending a slump in supplies since early this year, pork prices started to stabilize and even fall this month.

From Nov 8 to 14, the average wholesale price for pork was about 50 yuan a kilogram, a fall of 4.4 percent compared with the previous week, according to monitoring by the ministry. However, compared with the same week last year, the price had risen by 157 percent.

"Production of pork across China has, in general, stopped dropping and has started to rise," Wei said. "Output may return to normal levels next year."

Pork is the most popular meat in China, which produces half the world's total. But following the African swine fever outbreak, production fell significantly, along with accompanying losses for farmers. The disease is almost always fatal for pigs, but cannot be transmitted to humans.

Some industry insiders estimate the disease has caused a gap between supply and demand of more than 10 million metric tons this year, or at least 20 percent of the country's total pork output, and pork prices will remain high for several months at least.

In Luchuan, which is located in a subtropical area, a local breed of pig has traditionally been raised for its unique taste. However, the disease almost drove the breed to extinction.

By the end of last month, local pig stocks had been reduced to just 200,000. Tight supply caused pork prices in the county to soar to over 80 yuan a kg, more than double the level last year, resulting in reduced consumption of the staple.

Li Guan, a 54-year-old pork vendor at a local market, said, "Business has been very bad recently, as fewer people are buying pork."

Like many in Luchuan, Li raises pigs for a living. However, only three of the 210 he kept last year survived the African swine fever outbreak. Along with many other pig breeders in the county, he has been hesitant in replenishing his stock for fear of another outbreak.