Reducing the number of cattle in China will not stop

Reducing the number of cattle in China will not stop, and in view of this, the situation is quite complicated beef producers in China, the demand for beef is growing, prices have already reached a fairly high level, and livestock in the country is simply not enough to meet the needs of the domestic market.

This, in the short term, can only lead to one thing - many Chinese consumers will not be able to regularly buy beef on a regular basis.

Demand for beef and veal in China showed the greatest growth in 2013. Consumption increased by 5%, which led to increased sales of fresh meat on the market by 3%. According to Euromonitor, in the period from 2008 to 2013. growth in demand for beef and veal in the Chinese market reached a record 30%, which is twice more than the pork sector, and 9% higher than in the poultry market.

Popularity beef in China is fueled by several factors. First of all, the Chinese middle class tends to buy more prestigious form of meat, in this case, beef, which is considered a higher quality product than pork consumption which, incidentally, is still superior to beef consumption eight times. Beef also love because this kind of meat in China is considered "healthier" because contains less fat. Furthermore, the constant Figuring pork and poultry in scandals related to the quality and safety of products, and numerous reports of pigs and poultry diseases also affect the popularity of beef.

However the consumption of beef were not the only indicator that rose. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of China, beef prices have doubled in the period from 2008 to 2013. And expect prices to fall is not necessary, given the fact that the number of cattle in China has been steadily declining.

According to official sources, the number of livestock in China fell from 83 million head in 2008 to 75 million head in 2013, while domestic production of beef and veal in the same period increased from 6 to 7 million tons. This trend is hardly a sign of stability of production, and today China is very much relies on imports.

can say that China is now in a transitional period, when it comes to livestock and agricultural sector as a whole. Previously, small family farms kept only a small number of cattle. According to statistics, about 95% of Chinese herdsmen contain no more than 10 head of cattle. In recent years, a growing number of rural people move to cities in search of work, and it does not contribute to the expansion of cattle in the country.

Given all these trends, the only way for China's transition to large-scale livestock production, ie creation of large agricultural holdings. Problem is the lack of agricultural land and water resources. Also, to complicate the situation and the lack of fodder.

Source: Meatinfo