China drops meat growth target and bets on AI as pork demand peaks

China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) has issued a National Livestock and Veterinary Industry Development Plan that sets 15 quantitative targets but no growth target for total meat production. Officials said pork consumption has largely reached its peak while pig production capacity has improved rapidly, AgNavigator reports.

"No incremental target has been set for total meat production," a MARA official told reporters, explaining that the decision reflects "a new supply-and-demand landscape". The aim, officials said, is to move the pig industry from quantity-driven growth to "high-quality development". By 2030 the plan wants a more stable and secure supply of the main livestock and poultry products.

Technology sits at the centre of the plan. One of its five key tasks is to strengthen technological capability across the sector, including "accelerating the application of artificial intelligence and the development of smart livestock farming". AI tools are already used around the world for disease detection, animal health monitoring, feeding, breeding management and automation, and China's Muyuan Group, the world's largest pork producer, relies on AI to manage welfare and resources across its herds.

The shift comes at a time of record output. China's combined production of meat, eggs and milk passed 175 million tonnes in 2025, above 170 million tonnes for a third year running, and meat production alone exceeded 100 million tonnes for the first time. According to MARA, 76.9% of production now comes from scale farms, science and technology account for 70% of the sector's growth, and more than 80% of livestock manure is put to use.

Over the next five years policy will focus on productivity and value: stabilising supply, promoting better breeds, expanding forage, improving processing and distribution and building livestock brands. The plan also wants large enterprises to do more to bring smaller farmers along, with fairer profit sharing and stronger small and medium-sized farms.

Disease prevention gets more weight too. The plan targets higher food safety standards and lower veterinary antibiotic use per unit of livestock output, and promotes greener farming practices.

Photo: Dingar / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)

Source: AgNavigator