ANALYSIS: Australian Beef Races Through 80% of China Safeguard Quota at Historic Pace

Imports of beef originating from Australia have reached 80% of the annual safeguard quota for 2026 as of Saturday, May 14, according to the latest announcement from China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) over the weekend. 

The safeguard announcement comes just two days ahead of China’s largest food trade show of the year, SIAL Shanghai. 

This milestone translates to around 164,000 metric tons (MT) and confirms that the rush by exporters has intensified as the window for viable trade rapidly closes...

ANALYSIS: China’s Apr 2026 Meat Imports Edge Up 1% MOM to 507,326 MT

China’s total meat imports (including offal meats) for the first four months of 2026 reached 2,094,632 metric tons (MT), according to data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). 

In April 2026 alone, import volumes edged up slightly to 507,326 MT, with an additional 4,506 MT hitting Chinese shores compared to March. However, wider indicators continued to show contraction. April volumes decreased by 5,574 MT compared to the same month last year. 

Overall cumulative import volumes for the year fell by 64,283 MT. This ongoing...

ANALYSIS: Australia’s Mar 2026 Fever Pitch Beef Rush as China Safeguard Gap Narrows

Australia is on track to ship its largest monthly volume of beef to China on record this March, as exporters race against the clock to beat a looming safeguard quota.

According to the latest data from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), cumulative monthly beef and veal exports to "Other Asia", a category dominated by China, reached 33,115 metric tons (MT) by March 23.

Based on the current pace of shipments, Expana’s in-house estimations put the final March figure at 45,533 MT...

ANALYSIS: New Zealand’s Aug 2025 Beef Exports Retreat to 29,805 mt on Low Output

New Zealand’s beef exports in August 2025 fell for the third straight month, coming in at 29,805 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from Stats NZ.

Falling to the lowest level since October 2024, outbound shipments were 19.5% lower, or 7,218 mt compared to July 2025 across all key destinations including the United States (US), China, Japan and Korea, while shipments to Canada increased...

ANALYSIS: China’s August 2025 Beef Imports Rise to 7-Month Highs at 256,726 mt

China’s total beef imports climbed for the third consecutive month, up by just 2.6% month-on-month (M-O-M) to 256,726 metric tons (mt) in August, according to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

Rising to the highest level since January 2025, in-bound shipments increased by 6,435 mt, driven mainly by gains from key suppliers such as Australia, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia and Uruguay. Argentina and New Zealand were the exception, partially offsetting the overall increase...

ANALYSIS: China’s Meat Imports Fall to Fresh Lows at 504,608 mt in Aug 2025

China imported 504,608 metric tons (mt) of meat, including variety meats in August 2025, slumping 5.4% (28,634 mt) from a month earlier, according to preliminary data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

Inbound tonnage dropped to its lowest level since Expana began tracking in January 2020. The decline reflected higher domestic output, persistent inventory pressure, broader macroeconomic headwinds, and ongoing trade tensions.

A wave of meat plant license suspensions linked to disease concerns and renewal lapses amid...

ANALYSIS: China’s May 2025 Beef Imports Slips 7.1% MOM to 194,529 mt

China’s total beef imports fell for the second consecutive month, dropping 7.1% month-on-month (MOM) to 194,529 mt in May 2025, according to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

Shipments declined by 14,832 mt, led by lower volumes from most major suppliers. Brazil was the exception, partially offsetting the overall drop.

On a year-on-year (YOY) basis, imports fell 17.0% (-39,920 mt), pressured by weak consumption, a bearish macroeconomic outlook, and higher domestic production. Sweltering summer weather...