China imported around 240 thousand tons of beef in March for US$ 1.385 billion, according to GACC data released by OIG+X. Volume increased 13.2% compared to March 2025, while in value the rise reached 28.5% due to higher average import prices.
In the first quarter, China’s beef imports increased 27.5% year-on-year in volume to around 870 thousand tons, while the value rose 39.6% to US$ 4.869 billion.
Among total protein imports, beef showed the strongest growth compared to a year ago, as a direct consequence of the safeguard imposed by the Chinese government to protect domestic production from imported competition. Given how quotas were implemented, importers are accelerating purchases before they are exhausted, particularly in the case of product sourced from Brazil and Australia.
Total meat imports fell 3.5% in the quarter to 1.59 million tons, with declines in pork, poultry, and sheep meat imports, and increases in beef and seafood.
