March 28, 2013

In February 2013, China's beef imports surged 450% on-year, to 9,433 tonnes swt, with chilled imports climbing from 27 tonnes in February 2012 to 471 tonnes swt in February 2013.

Total chilled beef imports for the first two months of 2013 reached 1,064 tonnes swt, 23% higher than the total chilled beef imports during 2012 (862 tonnes swt).

Chinese boneless beef retail prices during February rose another 5% from the previous month and 38% higher than February 2012, to CNY58.65 (US$9.44), according to the Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China.

Likewise, bone-in sheep meat retail prices were up 4% on the previous month and 23% on February last year, averaging at CNY61.97 (US$10). Chicken carcase retail prices rose 6% on-year to CNY18.79 (US$3), while boneless pork remained steady on last month and 4% below the same month last year, at CNY26.42 (US$4.25).