Porcine Potential
China has more than 400 million pigs, over half the world’s herd; the country also has a serious outbreak of African swine fever that’s been spreading since emerging in 2018.
While it doesn’t harm human beings, the disease can be 100 percent lethal for pigs.
This week brought news of more infections, with an outbreak confirmed Jan. 1 at a farm that had about 73,000 hogs.
There’s concern the outbreak will get a stronger grip within Asia’s top economy, and may jump to neighboring states, imperiling producers across the region.
Should that happen, China may go overseas to supplement supplies, benefiting the U.S. even as the trade war drags on. That may also benefit chicken demand and prices.
Source: Bloomberg