BEIJING: Since the Chinese ushered in the Year of the Pig in 2019, they have had to forego their passion for pork, after the African swine flu was first detected in hog herds in the countryIn the immediate aftermath, China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs took proactive measures to curb the spread of the disease, which has been fatal for pigs, but has so far been harmless to humans.As of end-April, swine flu cases have been reported in most provinces in China.
Some experts have even estimated that China’s pork output is likely to fall by 20 to 30 per cent in 2019, with 40 per cent of herds culled.It’s common for the Chinese government to understate matters when they fear full transparency may spark public panic. Beneath the quiet culling of so many pigs, Chinese farmers were issued warnings not to cover up African swine fever. Incentives of 1,200 yuan were given to farmers for each pig culled so that incidents would be reported and the disease contained.China’s response to the swine flu may have been muted, but many Chinese have already altered their diets in a dramatic fashion.
Additionally, many schools nationwide have stopped serving pork, while many large companies and state-owned enterprises that offer subsidised meals for employees have stopped cooking pork at their cafeterias.More have switched to beef, lamb and chicken for protein. Many restaurants have made adjustments to cut out pork dishes from their menus.A PRIME MARKET FOR MEAT EXPORTERS
“It’s a good opportunity for Indian companies, considering that China is the biggest consumer of pork meat in the world,” Arindon Hazarika, head of sales and marketing at Aroha Foods, told the Economic Times. “They are currently short by 3 to 5 per cent of their domestic demand.”
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