Chinese meat imports fell 8% year-on-year in May

China imported 510,000 tons of meat and offal in May for US$ 1.79 billion, according to data from the GACC reported by OIG+X. The volume was 7.9% lower than in the same month last year, while the average import value declined by a smaller margin, 6.6%, implying a moderate increase in the average import price. Year-on-year, imports of beef and offal as well as poultry meat declined, while pork and sheepmeat imports increased.

In the case of beef products, imports included 194,529 tons of meat and 3,083 tons of offal for US$ 990 million for meat alone and US$ 1.004 billion for the combined total. The volume was 17% lower than in May 2024. In the first five months of the year, China imported 1.1 million tons of beef and offal for US$ 5.615 billion, representing a year-on-year drop of 11.7% in volume and 5.9% in value. The imported volume has been lower year-on-year in every month so far this year.

Sheepmeat imports are on the rise. China received 35,000 tons in May and 184,000 tons year-to-date, with annual increases of 14.2% and 5.2%, respectively. The value of these imports grew by 34.9% monthly and 25.6% year-to-date, indicating a significant increase in the average import value of sheepmeat compared to last year.