Pork is the predominant source of meat protein consumed in China. Indeed, China consumes more pork per capita than the United States. Most analysts project this demand for pork will grow by six to seven percent a year over the next several years. Increasing our exports of pork means more utilization of the corn we produce. This improves the price prospects for corn because of the higher domestic use and reduces the pressure on the federal budget.
China holds great promise for Iowa farmers.
With 1.2 billion people, this consumer market is the largest in the world. We cannot afford to let this market slip away from our hands. Using food as a weapon does not work. We must engage the Chinese to move them toward democracy and to push them toward playing by world trade rules. If we do not, farmers like myself will be left out of this growing market.