Gap between domestic beef supply and demand in China widens

CHINA plays a vital role in the global MEAT industry, given the large volumes of meat consumption in the domestic market. Since 2012, the structure of beef supply and demand in China has gradually become unbalanced: underproduction compared to the basic balance, the gap between demand and supply is constantly widening year on year.

Due to the growing demand for beef, Chinese beef imports are now interested in supplies from South American countries, and not just from Australia and New Zealand.

China's annual beef production has generally shown growth, especially since 2014. In 2007, the output of beef was 6.26 million tons, which for the first time exceeded 6 million tons. But beef consumption that year was 7.99 million tons.

In 2021, beef production grew only slightly, to 7 million tons, but consumption quickly increased to 9.3 million tons, and the gap between demand and supply for beef products in China is expected to continue widening.