China Pig Farmers Sell Hogs at Deep Discounts Amid Swine Fever Fears

Chinese pig farmers report suspected African swine fever outbreaks, forced hog sales, falling prices, and mounting financial losses across several provinces.

China Pig Farmers Struggle Amid Suspected Disease Outbreaks

Pig farmers across several regions of China are reportedly facing mounting financial pressure as suspected African swine fever outbreaks fuel concerns about animal deaths, falling livestock prices, and difficulties selling hogs.

According to accounts shared with NTD Television, producers in eastern, southern, and southwestern China are selling pigs at significant discounts to limit potential losses. Some farmers say they are accepting prices far below their production costs, while others are struggling to find buyers even after lowering their asking prices.

Reports from provinces including Jiangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Hunan have raised concerns about the potential spread of the disease. However, the extent of the reported outbreaks has not been independently established.

The situation adds another challenge for China's pig farming industry, where producers are already contending with declining hog prices and uncertain market conditions.

Farmers Resort to Selling Pigs Below Production Costs

Farmers interviewed by NTD say fears of African swine fever are prompting producers to sell their animals earlier than planned, sometimes at substantial losses.

A pig farm owner surnamed Wang in Henan Province said on Oct. 20 that farmers were struggling to recover their costs. According to Wang, producers raising pigs weighing more than 400 pounds needed approximately 7.5 yuan per pound, equivalent to about $1.12, to break even.

However, he said some farmers were willing to accept between 3 and 4 yuan per pound, or roughly $0.45 to $0.60, simply to find buyers.

Such steep discounts illustrate the pressure facing livestock producers who fear that delaying sales could expose them to additional losses if disease spreads or animals die.

A farm manager surnamed Zhang, also in Henan, alleged that a publicly listed livestock company was experiencing an outbreak and selling hogs rapidly, including animals weighing less than usual.

Zhang claimed that some pigs weighed between 90 and 105 kilograms, or approximately 198 to 231 pounds. He also alleged that laboratory testing had produced positive results, although he did not identify the company.

These allegations could not be independently verified by NTD. The report also noted that interviewed farmers used pseudonyms because they feared possible retaliation.

Reported Outbreaks Raise Concerns Across Multiple Provinces

Farmers have described suspected swine fever cases in several parts of China, with some claiming that symptoms appeared rapidly within their local communities.

A farm owner surnamed Li in Hubei Province told NTD that suspected cases had emerged across his county within approximately one week. He also claimed that some areas in neighboring Jiangxi Province had experienced infection rates of 80 to 90 percent.

These figures remain unverified and should not be interpreted as confirmed regional infection rates.

Other farmers have expressed concern that the disease may be affecting both smaller farms and larger commercial operations. According to their accounts, some producers are selling off their livestock to reduce exposure to further financial losses.

The reported situation highlights the challenges involved in controlling animal diseases when livestock, farm workers, transport vehicles, and equipment move between different locations.

Farmers have also raised concerns about seasonal weather conditions, including cooler temperatures and increased rainfall, potentially complicating efforts to manage disease risks.

However, the precise role of weather conditions in the reported cases has not been established.

African Swine Fever Poses a Serious Threat to Pig Production

African swine fever, commonly known as ASF, is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boar. It can cause severe illness and high mortality among infected animals.

The disease does not infect humans, and it is not considered a human health threat through the consumption of pork. Nevertheless, outbreaks can have serious economic consequences for farmers, meat producers, and the wider livestock supply chain.

When ASF is suspected or confirmed, veterinary authorities may introduce measures such as movement restrictions, testing, enhanced biosecurity, and the removal of infected animals, depending on local regulations and circumstances.

For farmers, the financial impact can extend beyond the loss of livestock. Producers may face lower selling prices, interrupted operations, additional cleaning and biosecurity expenses, and costs associated with the lawful disposal of animal carcasses.

In the accounts provided to NTD, some Chinese farmers said they were struggling with precisely these pressures.

Mounting Financial Losses Hit Livestock Producers

The financial toll appears substantial for some of the farmers interviewed.

A pig farmer surnamed Yang in Yunnan Province told NTD that he was losing more than 600 yuan, or approximately $90, on each pig he sold. He estimated that his total losses for the year had approached $30,000.

Another farmer, Zhang Shujuan, from Gao'an in Jiangxi Province, told The Epoch Times in early October that the local situation had deteriorated.

She said nearby farmers had begun selling pigs about a month earlier than planned, even though many animals had not reached their intended market weight. At that time, buyers were still available.

By early October, however, she said selling livestock had become more difficult amid growing fears about swine fever.

According to her account, prices for pigs described as sick could fall to between 1 and 2 yuan per pound, while healthy pigs might sell for no more than 6 yuan per pound.

These prices reflect the farmer's account and are not independently established national market averages.

Farmers who cannot sell their animals may face additional expenses when carcasses must be disposed of in accordance with applicable requirements. This creates another potential financial burden for producers already operating at a loss.

Official Hog Price Data Show Continued Declines

Official Chinese agricultural data indicate that live hog prices continued to decline during October.

According to figures attributed to China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the national average live hog price reached 10.89 yuan per kilogram, approximately $1.63, during the week of Oct. 12 to Oct. 18.

That represented a 1.6 percent decline from the preceding week.

During Oct. 5 to Oct. 11, the average stood at 11.07 yuan per kilogram, approximately $1.66, following a 0.5 percent weekly decline.

The ministry attributed the latest decrease to increased numbers of pigs entering the market and relatively ample supply.

The reported official data do not establish that suspected African swine fever outbreaks caused the nationwide price decline. Nevertheless, farmers' accounts suggest that disease concerns may be adding pressure to producers already dealing with weak prices.

The ministry's website had not published an ASF announcement identified in the original report.

What the Situation Could Mean for China's Pork Industry

The combination of suspected animal disease, early livestock sales, and falling hog prices could create additional uncertainty for China's pork production sector.

If disease outbreaks are confirmed and become widespread, producers could face further disruption, including animal losses, increased biosecurity spending, and restrictions on livestock movement.

At the same time, widespread early selling can increase the short-term supply of pigs entering the market, potentially placing additional pressure on prices. The eventual effect on pork prices for consumers would depend on several factors, including the scale of any confirmed outbreaks, processing capacity, supply conditions, and demand.

For now, the reported experiences of Chinese farmers point to a difficult operating environment. Producers are attempting to balance the risks of holding livestock against the immediate financial losses associated with selling animals at heavily discounted prices.

Independent confirmation of the suspected outbreaks, infection rates, and alleged commercial farm losses would be needed to establish the full scale of the situation.

Conclusion

China's pig farming sector is facing renewed uncertainty as farmers report suspected African swine fever outbreaks alongside falling hog prices and mounting financial losses.

Some producers say they are selling animals early and accepting steep discounts to limit their exposure, while others report difficulties finding buyers and covering carcass disposal costs.

Although official figures confirm that average live hog prices declined during October, the available information does not independently establish that ASF caused the national price drop or confirm the scale of the alleged outbreaks.

Further verified information from veterinary authorities and agricultural regulators will be important in determining how widespread the reported disease activity is and what it could mean for China's livestock industry.