Russian pork producers are setting their sights on capturing 10% of China’s pork import market in the coming years, taking advantage of the ongoing trade tensions between the European Union (EU) and China, the world’s largest pork consumer. Until February, Russia had not exported any pork to China, but after Beijing authorized three Russian producers, they are now entering the $3.5 billion Chinese import market, which is currently dominated by EU producers holding a 51% market share.
This move reflects the strengthening economic ties between Russia and China amid increasing sanctions from Western countries. Recently, the EU imposed provisional duties of up to 37.6% on electric cars imported from China, citing unfair subsidies. In retaliation, China has initiated an anti-dumping probe targeting Danish, Dutch, and Spanish pork firms.
Yuri Kovalyov, head of Russia’s National Union of Pig Breeders, expressed that these trade tensions present an opportunity for Russian producers to demonstrate their competitiveness in the Chinese market, though he clarified that they do not intend to exploit the situation intentionally. Kovalyov aims for Russia to supply 10% of China’s pork imports within three to four years.
However, Russian exporters will face significant competition from other major pork suppliers, including Brazil, as well as the challenge of rising domestic pork production in China. Although demand for pork in China is declining, the country still consumes approximately half of the world’s pork, totaling around 53-54 million tons annually.