TOPIC

African swine fever

A huge outbreak in mainland China of African swine fever, a disease that is not harmful to humans, but deadly to pigs, has resulted in more than 100 million pigs either dying from the disease, or being culled since August 2018. African swine fever has caused a shortage of pork, which is China’s most popular meat, driving up consumer prices to record levels. The US-China trade war has partially limited China’s ability to import extra pork, with China having imposed tariffs on shipments from the US.

last updated:

2 October, 2024

Italy

Swine fever sweeps Italy’s north, threatens production of prized prosciutto

Italy has killed nearly 120,000 pigs since January 2022 when swine fever appeared in the country.

2 Oct 2024 - 7:35PM

Diplomacy

China spends big on beef from Latin America-Caribbean as copper drops

5 Aug 2024 - 8:41PMvideocam

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Can Hong Kong live with African swine fever? Expert says pig culls not the answer

6 Jan 2024 - 9:53PM

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Discovery of African swine fever at Hong Kong farm prompts plan to cull 2,800 pigs

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department say operation will take place next week, after four pigs at farm in Lau Fau Shan test positive for virus.

23 Dec 2023 - 6:26PM

Hong Kong authorities are conducting inspections at another two pig farms, both within 3km of the original outbreak site. Photo: Reuters

War and conflict

Outside In | Israel-Gaza war is just one example of how conflict is the biggest driver of world hunger

Almost all of the world’s worst food crises are the products of or worsened by war – from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sudan and Somalia, to Syria, Yemen and now, Gaza.

10 Nov 2023 - 8:30PMvideocam

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong culls 5,600 pigs at farm after finding African swine fever virus

Agriculture department says 22 pigs tested positive for virus at farm in Lau Fau Shan, Yuen Long, over the two days prior.

10 Nov 2023 - 11:05AM

Animal welfare in Hong Kong

Hong Kong authorities to slaughter 32 pigs over African swine fever outbreak

Samples reveal 16 pigs at the farm are carrying the virus.

7 Nov 2023 - 9:53PM

Hong Kong authorities to slaughter 32 pigs over African swine fever outbreak. Photo: SCMP

Science

Promising results in Chinese vaccine trial for African swine fever

Chinese scientists reveal fatalities were reduced to zero after testing of potential vaccine.

22 Oct 2023 - 4:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

100 pigs at Hong Kong farm culled over 32 cases of African swine fever

Authorities say infections will not affect local pork supply or operations of slaughterhouses.

13 Feb 2023 - 10:44AM

Vietnam

Vietnam partners with US to develop first African swine fever vaccine

The deadly hog virus swept across China from 2018, slashing herds in the world’s largest producer and consumer of pork, boosting imports and sending meat costs soaring.

2 Jun 2022 - 3:26PM

Vietnam has developed an African swine fever vaccine for pigs in partnership with the United States, and is aiming to become the first global commercial exporter, an official said. Photo: Reuters

China trade

US exports more soybeans to China as war and drought limit other sources

Food security is a paramount concern for the world’s most populous nation, and its dependence on imported soybeans likely means ‘another good year for farmers in the US heartland’.

25 Apr 2022 - 5:30PM

China is the world’s top importer of soybeans, taking in about 97 million metric tonnes in 2021. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong stock market

WH Group posts 7.2 per cent jump in 2021 profit, but outlook clouded by war

WH Group warned that the Ukraine-Russia war will push costs up and affect profitability, after reporting a 7.2 per cent jump in annual profit on higher sales.

28 Mar 2022 - 8:38PMvideocam

China food security

China’s pork self-sufficiency push to raise demand for global grain stocks

China’s self-sufficiency targets have been flagged since 2020 as part of Beijing’s food security goals, with a push to be almost entirely self-sufficient in pork production set to bolster purchases of soybeans and feed grains.

23 Dec 2021 - 1:26PM

China trade

US pork producers ‘concerned’ as China raises import tariffs amid supply glut

China lowered its tariffs on frozen pork in 2020 in the aftermath of a devastating outbreak of African swine fever, but rates for most favoured nations will return to 12 per cent on January 1.

16 Dec 2021 - 1:48PM

Imports surged to a record and remained at high levels through the first half of the year, even as the hog herd recovered and prices fell below production cost by the third quarter. Photo: Reuters

China food security

Explainer | Panic buying in China, but is there a food security concern?

China needs to feed 1.4 billion people with a mixture of domestic supply and imports, but recent problems like African swine fever, the coronavirus and natural disasters can impact availability.

12 Nov 2021 - 11:32AMvideocam

China needs to feed its 1.4 billion people, around one fifth of the world’s population. Photo: Reuters

China pork crisis

China’s new pig farmers determined to ‘hold on’ despite heavy losses

Surging output and Covid-linked demand interruptions have driven down pork prices by 70 per cent this year, but many new farmers are determined to ride out the boom-bust cycle.

2 Nov 2021 - 3:58PMvideocam

Wild boar