In our pig Focus this week, Michael McKeon of Teagasc gives a fascinating insight into developments taking place in the pig industry in China. With the support of government, a mass relocation is taking place, moving the pig herd from the heavily polluted southeast of the country into the bread basket in the northeast. It is a trend we have seen play out in all the major pigmeat producing regions of the world, where the cost and nutrient benefits of co-locating the arable and pig sectors has been recognised.

It is, however, in stark contrast to the Irish sector. While demand from China is set to grow, there is no doubt that the US is going to be a major competitor in the market with access to cheap grain and favourable exchange rates.