Pork chains internationalizing in a context that promotes self-sufficiency

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the dependence of France as well as the whole European Union (EU) on external resources in certain strategic sectors. Agri-food resilience, however, is welcomed during this crisis, facilitated by the strong agricultural self-sufficiency. The unpredictable health context (COVID-19, African swine fever (ASF)), slowdown in international trade, revival of trade and diplomatic tensions (Brexit, USA-China), denunciation of living conditions of slaughterhouse workers, and societal expectations of animal production and food raised in France and other European countries are all warning signs of greater control over the agri-food sector and probably of stronger localization of its activities. Analysis of international trade in pork products, however, shows growth in volumes traded between surplus-production areas (European Union, Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement-CUSMA, Brazil) and deficit areas (Eastern Asia, including China), but also internationalization of value chains in the densest production areas (EU, CUSMA). This development is based on exploiting comparative advantages, generating economic efficiency by decreasing production costs, adapting products to demand and searching for a necessary balance of using all parts of the pork carcass and by-products. In terms of supply security, the recent experience of ASF in Asia shows that connecting to international markets is part of a risk-management strategy. Foreign investment made by companies in the sector shows an original path in this regard. But these internationalisation strategies could come up against growing societal expectations.