Beijing urges top hog producers to cut output, state media says

In a bid to address a significant oversupply and tepid consumer demand in its pork industry, China has called on its leading hog producers to reduce output. The directive was issued during a high-level meeting on Tuesday, as reported by the state-run Shanghai Securities News. Key players such as Muyuan Foods and Wens Foodstuff were urged to decrease the number of breeding sows, lower slaughter volumes, and maintain hog weights at approximately 120 kg. The meeting, organized by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs’ animal husbandry bureau, underscores Beijing’s intensified efforts to curb overcapacity and stabilize market prices. Authorities also announced plans to tighten credit for expanding hog production capacity and reduce subsidies that have previously fueled growth in pig output. This move comes as hog prices have plummeted to around 13 yuan ($1.83) per kg, a sharp decline from 18.8 yuan a year ago, according to consultancy MySteel. The price drop has severely impacted industry margins, with shares of Muyuan and Wens falling by 2% and 3%, respectively, as of 0607 GMT.