Chinese meat market in 2022

What to expect in the Chinese meat market this year

The Chinese meat market is reshaping very fast and for this year it is expected to put more accent for beef and cattle imports, while pig and live pig imports are expected to drop significantly, a recent USDA analysis revealed.

Regarding the beef market, China is expected to increase imports by 3%, reaching a total volume of 3.1 million tons for this year, almost equal to the volume of pork imports. In 2022 China's cattle production is expected to increase to 52.5 million head but live cattle imports may also reach 375,000 head, mainly from South America

Beef production for 2022 is estimated at 7.15 million tons, up 2% from 2021 on higher cattle production. The import of beef for 2022 is estimated to rise to 3.1 million tons. The rate of increase is expected to be slower than in 2021 due to a less optimistic economic outlook and COVID-19 restrictions, but still 3% increase over 2021.

In 2022, Brazil is expected to remain the largest beef supplier following China’s removal of restrictions on beef products in December 2021. Importers of Australian beef products are facing additional facility suspensions and difficulties clearing product.