Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Pork Featured Articles

Better Pork magazine is published bimonthly. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


An economy where food and pigs count

Thursday, October 1, 2009

In China, food makes up one third of the consumer price index and pork is a big chunk of that. On average, the Chinese consume 110 pounds of meat per person per year and 65 per cent of that is pork. There are too many pigs in China, so inflation is likely to be kept in check. China needs 410 million pigs, including 41 million sows, to keep production in equilibrium, according to its central planning agency. There were 44.7 million live hogs and 48.3 million sows at the end of June, a huge increase from the year before, when there was a pork shortage and high prices.

In February, 2008, NBC News reported that pork prices had risen 50 per cent compared to the previous year. The rise was blamed on the growing economy, blue ear disease, high grain prices and bad winter weather. Chinese markets are generally independent of world markets, although China does import pork from Smithfield Foods in the United States.

There were concerns that raging inflation might cause poor economic times and upheaval in China. Economic and social upheavals in China go hand-in-hand. The last round was in 1989. Does anyone remember Tiananmen Square? BP
 

Current Issue

October 2025

Better Pork Magazine

Farms.com Swine News

Manitoba combine concaves featured in TIME Magazine

Thursday, October 23, 2025

A product from Winkler, Man., has found itself in TIME Magazine. Thunderstuck Ag’s Razors Edge concaves are part of TIME’s list of the 300 best inventions of 2025. “I don’t even think it’s sunk in,” Jeremy Matuszewski, president and founder of Thunderstruck Ag, told Farms.com. “I mean... Read this article online

Why Choose Hi-Hog Livestock Feeders

Thursday, October 23, 2025

Producing high-quality hay is no easy task. It requires a substantial financial and time investment, and minimizing loss is a struggle anyone utilizing hay can understand. For this reason, Hi-Hog Livestock Feeders should be utilized. BC Livestock is the premier dealer of Hi-Hog Livestock... Read this article online

The Rock Picker That’s Redefining Field Efficiency

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Highline Manufacturing recently introduced the RP 800, the next evolution in rock picking technology. Built tough and engineered for speed, visibility, and durability, the RP 800 is designed to help producers clear fields faster and more efficiently than ever before. At the heart of... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top