China imported 470,000 metric tons (shipped weight) of beef in the first two months of 2025, according to Customs data released by OIG+X. This volume contracted by 11% compared to the same period in 2024. However, a rise in the average import value meant that the total value drop was just 2.4%, to US$1.742 billion.
China’s beef imports reached 280,000 tons in January, worth US$1.024 billion, and dropped to 190,000 tons in February, worth US$718 million. January’s volume was down 8.2% year-on-year, while February’s volume fell 15.3% to the lowest since October 2023.
Overall, China imported 1.1 million tons of meat and offal in January and Februar —worth US$2.937 billion— including 470,000 tons of beef, 380,000 tons of pork, 69,000 tons of sheep meat, and 71,000 tons of poultry. The total volume decreased by 0.2% year-on-year, while total value rose by 3.6%.
