According to the National Bureau of Statistics in Beijing livestock and poultry production increased by only 1.8% year on year totaling 83.73 million tons in 2013 , showing a significant slowdown from 2012’s 5.4% increase year on year to 82 million tons. In 2013 pork accounted for the majority of production at 54.93 million tons with pig slaughter increasing 2.5% to 715,570,000 head and the national herd size decreasing by 0.4%. Data from Guizhou province shows overall meat production increasing 4.6% in 2013 year on year to 1.9 million tons. Beef production grew fastest at 8.7% to total 141,000 tons and pork production increased 4.9% year on year to 1.637 million tons. Poultry production increased only 0.5% year on year and sheep production fell by 0.7% from 2012. Weaker pork prices and safety issues surrounding avian flu outbreaks are believed to be the drivers behind the strong increase in beef production. Despite the slowdown, overall meat production appears to be on target to attain the Chinese government’s Five Year Plan goal of 85 million tons by 2015.
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