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China - Meat And Poultry - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
Report Update: May 1, 2025

China - Meat And Poultry - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

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Nov 23, 2024

Significant Decline in China's Meat and Poultry Imports, Falling to $23.6 Billion in 2023

China Meat And Poultry Imports

In 2023, overseas purchases of meat and poultry decreased by -1.8% to 6M tons, falling for the third consecutive year after three years of growth. Overall, imports, however, posted a prominent increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 71%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 8.4M tons. From 2021 to 2023, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, meat and poultry imports declined rapidly to $23.6B (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 78%. Imports peaked at $28.3B in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.China Meat And Poultry Imports By Country (Billion USD)

COUNTRYImport Value of Meat And Poultry in China (billion USD)
20132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
Brazil0.50.51.02.01.92.84.07.47.710.08.9
United States0.70.50.20.40.30.20.62.63.33.22.5
Argentina0.10.10.30.30.50.92.02.32.32.92.3
Australia1.11.01.00.71.01.52.52.22.02.42.2
New Zealand0.70.90.90.70.91.32.11.92.52.62.0
Uruguay0.30.30.50.50.70.81.10.91.61.91.2
Spain0.10.20.30.50.40.40.92.73.11.10.9
Others0.90.81.32.31.61.63.47.45.73.83.6
Total4.34.45.47.67.29.416.727.428.327.923.6

Imports by Country

In 2023, Brazil (2.3M tons) constituted the largest supplier of meat and poultry to China, with a 38% share of total imports. Moreover, meat and poultry imports from Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Argentina (558K tons), fourfold. the United States (522K tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 8.7% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Brazil stood at +27.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Argentina (+32.7% per year) and the United States (+1.1% per year).

In value terms, Brazil ($8.9B) constituted the largest supplier of meat and poultry to China, comprising 38% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($2.5B), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by Argentina, with a 9.6% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of value from Brazil amounted to +33.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+14.3% per year) and Argentina (+37.8% per year).

Imports by Type

Beef (cattle meat) (2.7M tons), pork (1.8M tons) and chicken meat (1.3M tons) were the main products of meat and poultry imports to China, with a combined 94% share of total imports.

From 2013 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the major product types, was attained by beef (cattle meat) (with a CAGR of +28.5%), while imports for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, beef (cattle meat) ($17.8B) constituted the largest type of meat and poultry supplied to China, comprising 64% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by chicken meat ($4.1B), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by pork, with a 14% share.

Import Prices by Country

In 2023, the meat and poultry price amounted to $3,912 per ton (CIF, China), waning by -14% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a perceptible expansion from 2013 to 2023: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, meat and poultry import price increased by +50.6% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 an increase of 26%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $4,551 per ton, and then shrank in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Australia ($5,650 per ton), while the price for Canada ($2,056 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+13.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the meat and poultry 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 1108 - Meat of asses
  • FCL 1089 - Meat of pigeons and other birds nes
  • FCL 947 - Buffalo meat
  • FCL 1127 - Meat of camels
  • FCL 867 - Meat of cattle
  • FCL 870 - Meat of cattle, boneless
  • FCL 1058 - Chicken meat
  • FCL 1069 - Duck meat
  • FCL 1017 - Goat meat
  • FCL 1073 - Goose meat
  • FCL 1097 - Horse meat
  • FCL 1111 - Meat of mules
  • FCL 1158 - Meat of other domestic camelids
  • FCL 1151 - Meat of other domestic rodents
  • FCL 1035 - Pig meat
  • FCL 1141 - Rabbit meat
  • FCL 977 - Meat of sheep
  • FCL 1080 - Turkey meat

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:

  1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
  2. How to load your idle production capacity
  3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
  4. How to increase your profit margins
  5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
  6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
  7. How to outsource production to other countries
  8. 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.

  1. 1. INTRODUCTION

    Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

    1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
    3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

  2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    A Quick Overview of Market Performance

    1. KEY FINDINGS
    2. MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    3. TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS

  5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

    Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

    1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
    3. COUNTRIES WITH TOP YIELDS
    4. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    5. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

  6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

    Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

    1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
    3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
    4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

  7. 7. PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)

  8. 8. IMPORTS

    The Largest Import Supplying Countries

    1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  9. 9. EXPORTS

    The Largest Destinations for Exports

    1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

  11. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2024
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012-2024
    6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012-2024
    7. Import Prices, By Country, 2012-2024
    8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012-2024
    9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012-2024
    10. Exports Prices, By Country, 2012-2024

  12. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply Vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply Vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Trade Balance, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    6. Trade Balance, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    7. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    8. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
    9. Market Value Forecast to 2035
    10. Market Size and Growth, by Product
    11. Average Per Capita Consumption, by Product
    12. Exports and Growth, by Product
    13. Export Prices and Growth, by Product
    14. Production Volume and Growth
    15. Yield and Growth
    16. Exports and Growth
    17. Export Prices and Growth
    18. Market Size and Growth
    19. Per Capita Consumption
    20. Imports and Growth
    21. Import Prices
    22. Production, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    23. Production, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    24. Producing Animals: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    25. Yield: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    26. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    27. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    28. Imports, in Physical Terms, by Country, 2024
    29. Imports, in Physical Terms, by Country, 2012-2024
    30. Imports, in Value Terms, by Country, 2012-2024
    31. Import Prices, by Country, 2012-2024
    32. Exports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    33. Exports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    34. Exports, in Physical Terms, by Country, 2024
    35. Exports, in Physical Terms, by Country, 2012-2024
    36. Exports, in Value Terms, by Country, 2012-2024
    37. Export Prices, by Country, 2012-2024

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