Beef, sheep or goat fat market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for beef, sheep, and goat fat in China showed a fluctuating upward trajectory between 2018 and 2023, starting at 749 thousand tonnes and reaching 778 thousand tonnes. Growth was interrupted in 2022 when the market contracted to 758 thousand tonnes, primarily due to a sharp drop in imports and reduced foodservice demand resulting from COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The market rebounded the following year as control measures eased and consumer demand recovered, supported by rising household incomes.

Regulatory changes played a significant role in shaping the market environment. The 2020 nationwide ban on antibiotics in animal feed aimed to improve product safety and influenced production practices. Furthermore, the state's 'Five-Year Action Plan for Beef and Sheep Development' and related modernization policies provided a framework for industry upgrading and breeding improvements, which contributed to the steady rise in domestic production over the period. Concurrently, the market for edible animal fats saw development with increased industry concentration and the entry of new players.

In the later years, the market's recovery was underpinned by the post-pandemic adjustment of consumption patterns. Ongoing updates to national food safety standards for edible animal fats and stricter veterinary drug residue limits continued to reinforce product quality and consumer confidence, shaping the market structure through 2024.

Production beef, sheep or goat fat in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, China ranked as the world's fourth-largest producer of beef, sheep, or goat fat, solidifying its position among the global leaders in this sector.

Top producers of beef, sheep or goat fat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef, sheep or goat fat, 2017-2020

China's production of beef, sheep, or goat fat grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 677.3 K t, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 2.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 6.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%.

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

Exports beef, sheep or goat fat from China

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, China's exports of beef, sheep, or goat fat declined. In 2020, exports fell sharply to 0.7 K t, a 52.2% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 27.6%, translating to an annualized decline of 10.2%. The peak was in 2019 at 1.4 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 26.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan consistently led as the top destinations for China's exports of beef, sheep, or goat fat in volume terms. Israel accounted for 37.7% of exports, the UAE for 28.6%, and Jordan for 18.9%, together making up 85.2% of total 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, K $ US

After a two-year upward trend, the value of China's beef, sheep, or goat fat exports dropped. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 333 K $ US, reflecting a 37.3% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 3.4%, with a compound annual decline of 1.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 127 K $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 27.3% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan formed the primary group of destinations for China's beef, sheep, or goat fat exports in value terms. Israel held a 35.9% share, the UAE 28.0%, and Jordan 21.3%, collectively accounting for 85.2% of total export flows.

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, sheep or goat fat to China

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, China's imports of beef, sheep, or goat fat totaled 101.0 K t, showing a significant 16.7% decline from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 11%, with a compound annual decline of 3.8%. The peak volume was in 2019 at 121.2 K t, and the largest increase also occurred in 2019, with a 12.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia and New Zealand dominated China's imports of beef, sheep, or goat fat in volume terms, jointly accounting for 95.1% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among smaller markets.

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, K $ US

In 2020, China's imports of beef, sheep, or goat fat in value terms amounted to 81 946 K $ US, a 4.9% drop compared to the previous year. The lowest value was in 2018 at 76 904 K $ US, while the peak was in 2019 at 86 174 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 5.2% decrease, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a 12.1% rise.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Australia and New Zealand were the dominant sources for China's imports of beef, sheep, or goat fat in value terms, jointly representing 92.7% of total flows. The remainder was shared among smaller markets.

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

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