HONG KONG China will increase hog production information and introduce support policies to ensure stable pork supply in the fourth quarter, especially during major holidays, the agriculture ministry said on Monday.
In order to guide the production, it is necessary to increase the frequency of information release such as the key indicators of breeding sows and live pigs, the ministry said in a statement released after a meeting with six authorities including the National Development and Reform Commission NDRC and ministry of commerce.
It added that long-term support, such as loans, environmental and land-use policies, are needed to stabilize breeding expectations.
In the last three months, China's meat prices have rallied by around 40 per cent, boosting the price of the nation's favourite meat at a time of slowing economic growth.
China's state planners said that the country's supply of hogs was sufficient and would increase towards the end of the year, guaranteeing pork prices would stay in a reasonable range.
The meeting also called for coordinated measures from production to import, and efforts in the prevention and control of African swine fever.