China, Japan and South Korea, the relevant markets for Chilean meat
Chile has established itself as a global pork exporter, according to the ranking of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Today, the country ranks fifth as a pork exporter in the world, and in 2023, 73% of total pork exports will be destined for Asia. Thus, the recent mission to these three strategic markets for the Chilean pork and poultry production and export sector was very relevant.
Japan is the second largest export destination for Chilean pork, with 40 thousand tons exported in 2023, which represented 14% of the total volume and a value of US$157 million, equivalent to 21% of the total value. Chile is positioned as the sixth supplier of pork to Japan.
Japan's per capita pork consumption was expected to be about 20 kg per capita per year in 2023, accounting for 37% of the country's total meat consumption. Japan is the world's second-largest importer of pork, behind only China, with imports equivalent to 1.21 million tonnes in 2023.
In this country, on May 28, the Chilean delegation held a meeting with Norio Kumagai, Deputy Director General of the Department of Food Safety and Consumer Affairs, with the aim of discussing the terms of a new framework agreement for pork exports to Japan and reviewing technical issues necessary to advance a zoning agreement for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
South Korea has established itself as the third largest export destination for Chilean pork, with 35 thousand tons exported in 2023, representing 12% of the total volume and a value of US$163 million, equivalent to 22% of the total value. Chile is responsible for 4% of pork imports to South Korea, ranking fifth among the main suppliers.
Per capita consumption of pork in South Korea is 38.5 kilos per inhabitant per year, one of the highest in the world. The recovery of the HORECA sector (hotels,
restaurants and cafes) after the pandemic has boosted consumption, highlighting the importance of pork in the South Korean diet.
And in this market, on May 31, the Chilean delegation visited the facilities of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) at Incheon airport. Subsequently, they held a meeting with the Chilean ambassador to South Korea, Mathias Francke, where they discussed the importance of advancing a zoning agreement for ASF.
For its part, China has remained the main market for Chilean pork. In 2023, Chile exported 129 thousand tons of pork to China, which represented 44% of the total exported volume and a value of US$223 million, equivalent to 30% of the total value. In addition, China occupies the fourth position as a destination market for Chilean poultry meat, with 7% in volume and 9% in value.
China is the world's largest producer, consumer and importer of pork, with production reaching 57 million tonnes in 2023. Per capita pork consumption in China exceeds 42 kilos per inhabitant per year, consolidating it as an essential source of protein in the Chinese diet.
And it is in this market that the visit concluded, with a meeting between the Chilean delegation and Mr. Liu Jinlong, Deputy Director of Division 2 of Animal Quarantine of GACC, the Chinese government's Customs Agency, with the aim of advancing negotiations for the reopening of poultry meat and exploring the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for pigs, which could be signed during an upcoming visit to China by the Minister of Agriculture or another high-ranking authority from Chile.
The National Director of the SAG, José Guajardo Reyes, highlighted: “We made progress with Japan in updating animal health protocols and we proposed that China sign an agreement on pork and expand an existing one for cattle and sheep. With South Korea, we manage the opening of the market for sheep meat. We reinforce the importance of zoning agreements for safe trade and highlight the recognition of Chile for its certification model.”
Rodrigo Castañón, Business Manager of ChileCarne, added: "The mission in Asia focused on making crucial progress to lift the suspension of poultry exports to China and consolidate negotiations in Japan and South Korea. This mission made it possible to achieve significant progress, reinforcing Chile's strategic position in these markets and ensuring the growth and diversification of our meat exports".
In the coming months, collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture will be intensified to finalize the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on pigs with China, an initiative that promises not only to strengthen trade relations between Chile and China, but also to significantly expand the export offer of Chilean meat products to the Asian giant.
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