After the Spring Festival in 2026, prices of domestic and imported frozen pig heads continued to decline. The price gap between the two widened in 6 and, after reaching a new high in 8, gradually narrowed. Prices of both domestic and imported products fell, mainly because inventories of pig heads were high and sales declined. Supply of domestic and imported frozen pig heads may remain ample in 11, while there is no clear positive boost from the demand side. Prices are therefore expected to continue declining month on month.
Prices of imported and domestic pig heads both fell; the gap between them edged down from a high level
After the Spring Festival in 2026, prices of domestic and imported frozen pig heads continued to decline. The price gap between the two widened in 6 and, after reaching a new high in 8, gradually narrowed. According to data monitored by 卓创资讯, in 2026, the monthly average price of domestic frozen pig heads was 9187.85 yuan/ton in 10, down 10.05% month on month and 20.92% year on year. The monthly average price of imported frozen pig heads was 7453.45 yuan/ton, down 6.19% month on month and 30.36% year on year. The price gap between the two narrowed from 2268.52 yuan/ton in 9 to 1734.40 yuan/ton in 10, a decrease of 534.12 yuan/ton. Prices of both domestic and imported products fell, mainly because inventories of pig heads were high and sales declined. (Note: Price gap = price of domestic frozen pig heads - price of imported frozen pig heads.)
Chart 1 2025-2026 Price Trend of Domestic and Imported Frozen Pig Heads
Data source: Zhuochuang Information
Frozen pig head inventories are relatively high, with slow destocking
According to data monitored by Zhuochuang Information, as of the end of 10 in 2026, domestic frozen pig head inventories stood at 14778.16 tons, down 0.94% month on month and up 111.50% year on year; imported pig head inventories stood at 7303.00 tons, up 52.15% month on month and up 92.18% year on year. Domestic hog slaughter volume declined month on month in 10. Domestic slaughtering enterprises were highly willing to release inventory, but sales of frozen products were average and inventory turnover was slow due to competition from low-priced fresh products. As a result, domestic frozen pig head inventories declined only slightly. For imports, the price spread between domestic and imported products narrowed, making imported products more difficult to sell. Downstream buyers were also less willing to purchase, leaving imports difficult to sell, while pig head inventories had remained high in the earlier period and destocking was relatively slow.
Figure 2 Inventory trend of imported and domestically produced frozen pig heads in 2025-2026
Source: SunSirs
Frozen pig heads are difficult to sell, with both sales volume and sales declining
According to data monitored by Zhuochuang Information, domestic frozen pig head sales declined month over month in 2026/10, with sales of 2199.51 tons during the month, down 8.48% month over month and up 14.78% year over year. Imported frozen product sales also declined month over month, with sales of 22147.00 tons during the month, down 10.34% month over month and down 14.63% year over year. For domestic product, slaughter volumes at slaughtering companies fell in 10, leading to a drop in pig head output. As the weather turned cooler, consumption of braised pig heads declined and end users showed little willingness to stock up. In addition, domestic live pig supplies were ample, with large volumes of fresh pig heads available at relatively low prices. The price gap between fresh and frozen products narrowed, and braised food manufacturers prioritized purchasing fresh product, squeezing demand for frozen pig heads. For imported product, the cost advantage of pig heads weakened, and some supplies offered insufficient value for money. Downstream buyers mainly purchased as needed and reduced bulk stockpiling.
Sales trend chart for domestic and imported frozen pig heads, 3 2025-2026
Source: Zhuochuang Information
Frozen pig head prices may continue to decline in 11
Domestic frozen pig heads: On the supply side, slaughter volumes at slaughtering enterprises may continue to increase in 11 month. Although pig heads are mainly sold fresh and the proportion put into storage is low, fresh pig heads are difficult to sell, forcing them into storage; therefore, the supply of frozen pig heads may increase. On the demand side, downstream buyers are generally active in sourcing in 11 month, with no clear positive support. Prices are expected to continue falling or remain between 8500-9000 yuan/ton.
Imported pig heads: As domestic frozen pig head prices continue to fall, the price advantage of imported frozen products has declined noticeably. Downstream food manufacturers may therefore be less inclined to purchase imported pig heads. In addition, processors stocked up heavily in the second quarter, so actual trading volume for frozen pig heads may be limited. Imported pig head prices may also remain weak, with purchases mostly made as needed. Prices may stay between 7000-7400 yuan/ton.