ANALYSIS: China's Meat Output Rises 4.3% YOY Through Q3 2026 as Beef Production Declines

China's total meat production rose 4.3% year-on-year (YOY) in the first nine months of 2026, supported by higher pork and poultry output, while beef and mutton production contracted.

According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on October 19, combined output of pork, beef, mutton and poultry reached 76.27 million metric tons (MT) during January-September.

Poultry recorded the strongest growth, with production rising 9.3% YOY, followed by pork at 3.2%. In contrast, beef output declined 0.7% YOY, while mutton production fell 3.7%...

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...