China - Beef (Cattle Meat) - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
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View PricingChina's Beef Imports Drop Significantly to $14.1 Billion in 2023
China Beef Imports
In 2023, the amount of beef (cattle meat) imported into China reached 2.7M tons, leveling off at the previous year's figure. In general, imports recorded a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 60% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2023 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.
In value terms, beef imports reduced rapidly to $14.1B (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. Overall, imports saw significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 80%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $17.8B in 2022, and then declined significantly in the following year.
| COUNTRY | Import Value of Beef in China (billion USD) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
| Brazil | N/A | N/A | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 7.5 | 6.0 |
| Argentina | N/A | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 2.2 |
| Australia | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| United States | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 1.5 |
| Uruguay | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.1 |
| New Zealand | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.0 |
| Bolivia | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.3 |
| Others | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.5 |
| Total | 1.3 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 3.1 | 4.8 | 8.2 | 10.2 | 12.5 | 17.8 | 14.1 |
Imports by Country
In 2023, Brazil (1.2M tons) constituted the largest beef supplier to China, with a 43% share of total imports. Moreover, beef imports from Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Argentina (527K tons), twofold. Uruguay (275K tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 10% share.
From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Brazil amounted to +46.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Argentina (+49.9% per year) and Uruguay (+14.6% per year).
In value terms, Brazil ($6B) constituted the largest supplier of beef (cattle meat) to China, comprising 42% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Argentina ($2.2B), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Australia, with an 11% share.
From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Brazil amounted to +46.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Argentina (+48.1% per year) and Australia (+7.6% per year).
Imports by Type
In 2023, frozen boneless cuts of bovine meat (2.2M tons) constituted the largest type of beef (cattle meat) supplied to China, with a 82% share of total imports. Moreover, frozen boneless cuts of bovine meat exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, frozen bone-in cuts (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses) of bovine meat (431K tons), fivefold. Fresh or chilled boneless cuts of bovine meat (62K tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 2.3% share.
From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of the volume of frozen boneless cuts of bovine meat imports stood at +26.3%. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: frozen bone-in cuts (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses) of bovine meat (+22.2% per year) and fresh or chilled boneless cuts of bovine meat (+29.7% per year).
In value terms, frozen boneless cuts of bovine meat ($12B) constituted the largest type of beef (cattle meat) supplied to China, comprising 85% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by frozen bone-in cuts (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses) of bovine meat ($1.3B), with a 9.5% share of total imports. It was followed by fresh or chilled boneless cuts of bovine meat, with a 5% share.
Import Prices by Country
In 2023, the beef price stood at $5,180 per ton (CIF, China), with a decrease of -21.6% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 an increase of 23% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $6,603 per ton, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($9,415 per ton), while the price for Uruguay ($3,996 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Australia (+4.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the beef market in China. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.
Product coverage:
- FCL 947 - Buffalo meat
- FCL 867 - Meat of cattle
Country coverage:
Data coverage:
- Market volume and value
- Per Capita consumption
- Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
- Trade (exports and imports) in China
- Export and import prices
- Market trends, drivers and restraints
- Key market players and their profiles
Reasons to buy this report:
- Take advantage of the latest data
- Find deeper insights into current market developments
- Discover vital success factors affecting the market
This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.
In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:
- How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
- How to load your idle production capacity
- How to boost your sales on overseas markets
- How to increase your profit margins
- How to make your supply chain more sustainable
- How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
- How to outsource production to other countries
- How to prepare your business for global expansion
While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.
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1. INTRODUCTION
Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
- REPORT DESCRIPTION
- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND AI PLATFORM
- DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
- GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
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2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A Quick Overview of Market Performance
- KEY FINDINGS
- MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
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3. MARKET OVERVIEW
Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects
- MARKET SIZE
- MARKET STRUCTURE
- TRADE BALANCE
- PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION
- MARKET FORECAST TO 2030
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4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT
Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
- BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
- MOST CONSUMED PRODUCT
- MOST TRADED PRODUCT
- MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCT FOR EXPORT
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5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES
Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
- TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
- COUNTRIES WITH TOP YIELDS
- TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
- LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
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6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS
Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Exports
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
- TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
- UNSATURATED MARKETS
- TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
- MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS
7. PRODUCTION
The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
- PRODUCTION, PRODUCING ANIMALS AND YIELD
8. IMPORTS
The Largest Import Supplying Countries
- IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
- IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
- IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
9. EXPORTS
The Largest Destinations for Exports
- EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
- EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
- EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
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10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS
The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO -
LIST OF TABLES
- Key Findings In 2024
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Market Value, 2012–2024
- Per Capita Consumption In 2012-2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024
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LIST OF FIGURES
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Market Value, 2012–2024
- Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
- Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
- Trade Balance, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
- Trade Balance, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
- Per Capita Consumption, 2012-2024
- Market Volume Forecast to 2030
- Market Value Forecast to 2030
- Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
- Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
- Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
- Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
- Production Volume And Growth
- Yield And Growth
- Exports And Growth
- Export Prices And Growth
- Market Size And Growth
- Per Capita Consumption
- Imports And Growth
- Import Prices
- Production, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
- Producing Animals Slaughtered, 2012–2024
- Yield, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024
