China and Denmark are expanding their cooperation in pig farming, moving beyond trade into joint research, technology development and sustainable practices.
Denmark is one of China’s main suppliers of breeding stock, accounting for more than 40 percent of imports in 2022. In 2023, Danish pork exports to China reached 210,000 tonnes, according to the Danish Agriculture & Food Council.
The partnership now includes areas such as production management, quality control and market development. Faster transport via the China-Europe freight train has strengthened Danish pork’s position in China, while Danish byproducts like whey protein are increasingly used by Chinese feed processors.
Sustainability is a key focus. Denmark’s crop-livestock integration model, which recycles nearly all livestock waste, aligns with China’s rural revitalisation goals. Both sides acknowledge challenges such as adapting breeding stock to local conditions and rising feed costs, but view them as opportunities for innovation.
