Beef and buffalo meat market in China

Earlier Report Observations

Consumer demand for beef in China rose steadily from 2018 onward, fueled by a growing health consciousness that shifted preferences away from pork and toward beef, coupled with increasing disposable incomes. This demand pull was met with state support, including the launch of the Five-Year Action Plan for Beef and Mutton Production Development in 2020, which encouraged investment and expansion of large-scale cattle farming operations.

Domestic production grew but could not keep pace, leading to a sharp rise in beef imports starting in 2018 to bridge the supply gap. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused temporary supply chain disruptions, stockpiling, and price spikes, but as logistics recovered by 2021, imports surged further, gaining a competitive price advantage from 2022 that made imported beef more accessible.

The market diversified with new segments like steak and children's steak emerging in 2022, while digitalization and online sales channels opened additional growth avenues. However, from 2023, macroeconomic headwinds and falling prices triggered industry consolidation, with some large players exiting, even as government support policies and underlying consumer demand for beef remained intact.

Production beef and buffalo meat in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, China ranked as the world's third-largest producer of beef and buffalo meat.

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

China's beef and buffalo meat production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 6 725 thousand tonnes, marking a 0.8% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Beef and buffalo meat production in China expanded in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 52 698 million US dollars, up 4.8% from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.0%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 47 502 million US dollars, which saw the sharpest decline of 12.6%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the largest increase at 5.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports beef and buffalo meat from China

Exports in kind, K t

China's beef and buffalo meat exports dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 0.1 thousand tonnes, a steep 55.7% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports plummeted by 89.5%, with a compound annual decline of 52.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong, North Korea, and Italy were the leading destinations for China's beef and buffalo meat exports by volume. Hong Kong accounted for 45.6% of exports, North Korea for 30.3%, and Italy for 4.6%, together making up 80.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from China in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of China's beef and buffalo meat exports declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were worth 1 million US dollars, down 53.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 90.4%, equating to an annualized decrease of 54.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, Hong Kong, North Korea, and Palestine were the top buyers of beef and buffalo meat from China by value. Hong Kong represented 53.0% of export value, North Korea 26.3%, and Palestine 5.2%, collectively forming 84.5% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from China in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef and buffalo meat to China

Imports in kind, K t

China's beef and buffalo meat imports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 2 118 thousand tonnes, a dramatic 27.6% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 204.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 45.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay consistently served as the main sources for China's beef and buffalo meat imports by volume. Brazil contributed 32.1% of imports, Argentina 20.4%, and Uruguay 16.9%, together accounting for 69.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to China in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

China's beef and buffalo meat imports increased in value for the third year running. In 2020, imports were valued at 10 178 million US dollars, up 23.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value soared by 232.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 49.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over 2017-2020, Brazil, Argentina, and Australia were the primary suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to China by value. Brazil accounted for 33.0% of import value, Argentina for 19.1%, and Australia for 18.7%, together comprising 70.8% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to China in value, 2017-2020