China reduces its sow herd to under 40 million

The number of breeding sows in China has fallen below 40 million, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, reflecting the pressures facing the country’s pork sector due to oversupply, depressed prices and shifts in meat consumption. In October, the herd dropped below that threshold after registering 40.35 million in September.

The decline comes amid a forced adjustment in the sector, as authorities ask major pork companies to scale back production to stop the fall in prices and protect profitability. Part of the breeding herd is being slaughtered to ease overpopulation pressure and reduce feed costs.

The Ministry also urged companies to apply a “dynamic adjustment” to their herds, with stricter management of the number of females and more balanced supply planning to avoid future market fluctuations.

The goal is to stabilize production and contain the cycles of oversupply that have characterized the industry in recent years. Authorities pledged to maintain technical support for the sector, with a focus on efficiency, product quality and proper sow management. Small farms will receive assistance to improve reproductive planning in line with their real capacity.