# China tries to stabilise pig population as pork prices plunge

> China's agriculture ministry unveiled rules to tightly control herd size after pork prices fell amid broader deflation. The notice says herd guidelines should be used to prevent large fluctuations in pig production and prices. The revised target cuts the reproductive sow number to 39 million from 41 million.

- Date: 2024-03-04 · published 2024-03-04T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: policy · region China · magnitude medium
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/31188-china-tries-to-stabilise-pig-population-as-pork-prices-plunge
- Commodities: [Lean Hogs](https://feedsoft.ai/c/HOGS.md), [Soybean Meal](https://feedsoft.ai/c/SBM.md)

## Why it matters

Tighter herd controls aim to lift hog prices over time, which could eventually support feed demand, but the near-term effect on feed buying is limited.

## Read by commodity

- SBM: neutral
- HOGS: bullish ▲

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| HOGS | 2021-09-23 | [China lowers 2021-2025 sow herd target, seeks to stabilise pork prices \| Reuters](https://feedsoft.ai/events/45062-china-lowers-2021-2025-sow-herd-target-seeks-to-stabilise-pork-prices-reuters.md) | +4.7% | -7.8% |
| HOGS | 2026-04-01 | [China orders sow culls to curb pork glut, stabilize inflation gauge - CHOSUNBIZ](https://feedsoft.ai/events/19722-china-orders-sow-culls-to-curb-pork-glut-stabilize-inflation-gauge-chosunbiz.md) | -0.1% | +2.8% |
| HOGS | 2023-05-05 | [China to replenish pork reserves to stabilize market - Chinadaily.com.cn](https://feedsoft.ai/events/35938-china-to-replenish-pork-reserves-to-stabilize-market-chinadaily-com-cn.md) | +0.0% | +9.1% |
| HOGS | 2017-09-29 | [Chinese pig prices rise as Beijing shutters polluting farms](https://feedsoft.ai/events/68941-chinese-pig-prices-rise-as-beijing-shutters-polluting-farms.md) | +5.3% | +16.7% |
| HOGS | 2021-06-30 | [Now With Too Many Pigs, China Moves to Prop Up Pork Prices - Caixin Global](https://feedsoft.ai/events/46557-now-with-too-many-pigs-china-moves-to-prop-up-pork-prices-caixin-global.md) | +0.4% | -0.5% |
| SBM | 2019-12-01 | [China must recover pig production, stabilise pork supply - vice premier](https://feedsoft.ai/events/55590-china-must-recover-pig-production-stabilise-pork-supply-vice-premier.md) | +2.2% | +2.3% |
| SBM | 2022-12-28 | [NDRC in coordination with Chinese farmers to stabilise supply - European Pork \| European Pork, the Smart Choice](https://feedsoft.ai/events/38236-ndrc-in-coordination-with-chinese-farmers-to-stabilise-supply-european-pork.md) | +6.1% | +2.7% |
| SBM | 2025-10-21 | [China’s pork output jumps 7% as herd glut grows
						 \| The Pig Site](https://feedsoft.ai/events/8803-china-s-pork-output-jumps-7-as-herd-glut-grows-the-pig-site.md) | +6.6% | +16.2% |

## Sources

- ft.com: https://www.ft.com/content/c2535517-956e-40fb-b2c2-37afb8a746ba?accessToken=zwAGEueqgZuwkdPCU1UXlW5A-9OywjevuKdGug.MEUCIQDPndW991sjsROcPFGPgs4lYLNr3bwLQ4U3MPnJCmc4DgIgPnv_P5mrUdUz2e7JLK97zL_5NCflwmg_gqciExyaYMs&sharetype=gift&syn-25a6b1a6=1&token=315adfd8-a850-44f4-9b12-49fc73ed180a

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.