Chinese beef imports fell 11% year-on-year in the first two months of the year

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%.