In an effort to combat soaring domestic pork prices fomented by a dire pork shortage, China has opted to import the precious staple in bulk from the U.S. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in just the first seven months of this year, China imported 200 million pounds of pork from the U.S., a 500% increase from the same period last year! This action could possibly mark the start of a future in which more and more foreign pork is brought into China, whose domestic supply has taken a severe hit over the years. The country's substantial population, farmers' reluctance to raise pigs due to dirty working conditions, and rampant hog epidemics have all taken their toll on the pig population, causing pork prices to rise by over 60% this year. When you factor in a populace that essentially runs on pork with a consumption rate of 100,000 tons(!!) of pork per day, China's need to "bring home the bacon" becomes alarmingly apparent. more ›

Oenophiles, beware. The cost of your favourite tipple may go up very soon. A report by AP has uncovered that several wine importer executives are being detained while Shanghai customs officials conduct an "audit" of wine importers, including Don St Pierre Jr, of Shanghai-based ASC Fine Wines. more ›