After several years of low prices, the price of pork rose this year to a new historical peak.

经历了数年的价格低迷后，今年猪肉价格上涨，达到一个新的历史高峰。

Reviewing the fluctuating pork prices in China, there is an obvious "hog¹ cycle". In the last 15 years, there have been five of these cycles with peaks appearing in 2001, 2004, 2008, 2011 and this year. So each cycle lasts for about three years.

回顾中国的猪肉价格波动，我们发现，存在一个明显的"猪周期"。在过去的15年，大致有5个"猪周期"。从波峰来看，分别出现在2001、2004、2008、2011年和今年。所以每个"猪周期"一般持续3年左右。

Analysts² have said the rise in pork prices this time is due to the increased environmental protection requirements in many areas and the extreme weather after this year's Spring Festival, which resulted in a short supply of pigs in the market.

分析人士指出，此次猪肉价格上涨是因为各地提高环保门槛，许多养殖户标准不达标退出市场，以及春节极端天气的影响，导致猪肉供应紧张。

However, the drastic fluctuations³ in pork prices actually exposes the problem in China's pig industry. Agricultural experts point out that small-scale household pig raising accounts for a great proportion of the pig raising industry, which easily results in strong price fluctuations every few years.

不过，猪肉价格的剧烈波动实际上暴露了中国养猪业的问题。农业专家指出，小规模的家庭养猪占养猪业的很大一部分，这很容易导致每几年就会出现价格波动。

The key to eliminate the negative impact of the pig cycle is to upgrade pig-raising industry and promote larger-scale operations.

消除"猪周期"的负面影响的关键是促进养猪业产业升级，促进规模化经营。