December 13, 2022

China imports 12% more beef between January to September year-on-year

China imported 1.94 million tonnes of fresh and frozen beef between January to September 2022, 205,400 tonnes or 12% up compared to the same period in 2021, the UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board reported.

The top five suppliers of fresh and frozen beef to China, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, New Zealand, and Australia, accounted for 86.9% (1.69 million tonnes) of total imports. Imports from the rest of the world have increased over the last four years, led primarily by the United States.

Frozen beef accounted for slightly more than 96% of Chinese beef imports between January and September 2022, remaining relatively stable at this level over the last four years.

While pork is still the most popular meat among Chinese consumers, beef demand is expected to rise. African swine fever (ASF) pressures, combined with an increase in higher-income households among the Chinese population, have likely supported beef demand. This is especially true in retail, where ready-to-cook beef products are becoming more popular.

Overall, domestic beef demand growth has been slow. The reopening of foodservice, combined with supply chain disruption caused by COVID-19, will have aided imports. However, the foodservice sector has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, and zero-COVID-19 policies continue to have an impact on the overall economy.

While domestic beef consumption is expected to rise, production is also expected to increase in the medium term. Industry reports predict that China will import slightly less in 2023 compared to 2022, but imports will continue to grow in the long run.

-      UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board