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African Swine Fever expected to boost global pork demand

The USDA expects global demand for pork to shift in the next year from the impacts of African Swine Fever.

Acting World Ag Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski says ASF has taken its toll on hog herds in Africa, Asia and Europe.

“We actually increased our pork export estimate for 2019 by 50 million pounds, but for 2020 we increased our pork export demand by 235 million pounds.”

He says that would lead to a year over year increase in pork exports of about 720 million pounds.

Jekanowski says the numbers reflect strong demand from countries like Mexico and potentially China, but even if China does not buy US pork, he expects to back-fill countries that do supply China.