China is expected to become the world's leading consumer of pork on a per capita basis, surpassing the European Union by 2022, according to Focus on China - OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2013-2022 report.
From 2001 to 2012, China's agricultural trade (imports and exports) increased from $ 27.9 billion to $155.7 billion. Import dependence doubled from 6.2 percent to 12.9 percent with China's net trade deficit in agriculture and food standing at $31 billion in 2012.
It is projected that China's consumption growth will slightly outpace its production growth by some 0.3 percent similar to the trend of the previous decade. As a result, a further but modest opening of China's agricultural sector is anticipated although these prospects vary by commodity.
The government has instituted a policy to prevent any further exit of land from agriculture while the 12th Five-Year Plan sets specific targets for area and production of wheat, rice, coarse grain, soybeans and tubers. This Outlook affirms indicates that these targets should be met or exceeded in the next decade
China's imports of oilseeds are expected to rise by 40 percent over the 2013-22 period, accounting for 59% of global trade. Sugar imports should stay above the tariff rate quota level over the projection period.
China should maintain its leading role in global fisheries as its aquaculture as production continues to increase at half the rate of the previous decade. China is expected to account for 63 percent of global aquaculture production in 2022 and remain one of the world's leading fish exporters.
