Largest takeover brings home the bacon

Demand for protein products such as meat have seen a steep rise in China since economic reform spawned a hungry middle class and rising appetite for safe, quality meat.

Pork accounts for more than half of all the meat consumed by the nation's 1.3 billion people, with domestic production up 5.4 percent last year to 53.35 million tonnes, according to a report released by the National Bureau of Statistics in February.

China's ongoing urbanization is sure to push demand even higher, as nouveau urbanites would like more meat in their diet, said Feng.

In addition to boosting domestic production, China imports meat and farm produce from overseas, offering consumers more choice.

According to Mei, the United States accounts for more than 30 percent of Chinese meat imports and this share will continue to grow, thanks to the deal.

This is only possible because Smithfield's premium pork will be marketed through Shuanghui's extensive distribution network in China.

The tie-up also exposes Shuanghui to the industry's best practice in managing supply chains, intensive hog rearing, food safety and environmental protection.

"Though Shuanghui has been an industry leader in China, it still lags behind its global peers," Feng said. "The deal will sharpen Shuanghui's ability to compete globally."

Beyond gains for the two companies, analysts welcomed the deal as the beginning of a new form of cooperation that allows Chinese companies to better conform with world-class standards and gives foreign firms a share of the booming Chinese consumer market.