BEIJING - China's pork demand and supply will become more balanced in the fourth quarter, as pig production continues to recover, according to an agricultural official.

In August, China's pig population rose for a seventh straight month, up 31.3 percent year-on-year. Sow inventory increased for 11 consecutive months, up 37 percent from a year earlier, said the official with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Some 2,030 new pig farms started operation across the country last month, bringing the total number to 11,123 so far this year, data from the ministry showed.

Due to improved supply, pork prices have stabilized since August.

As supply continues to increase, average pork prices are expected to fall in the fourth quarter compared with the same period last year, the official said.