China extends probe on imported beef in respite for global suppliers
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Trade measures to reduce beef imports could hit major suppliers such as Argentina, Australia and Brazil, after China has already restricted imports from the US.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
BEIJING/CHICAGO – China has extended for three months an investigation period for beef imports, its Commerce Ministry said on Aug 6, giving global suppliers a breather from the prospect of trade curbs as the domestic industry battles a supply glut.
The inquiry, launched in December 2024, came as slowing demand squeezes the world’s largest market for imports and consumption, but does not target a particular country.
Trade measures to reduce imports could hit major suppliers such as Argentina, Australia and Brazil, after China has already restricted imports from the US.
The investigation will now run until Nov 26, the ministry said, citing “the large volume of investigative work and the complexity of the case”.
It also pledged to ensure a “healthy and stable” global trade environment by communicating with all parties.
“It’s definitely a relief to beef exporters,” said Ms Even Rogers Pay, an agriculture analyst at Trivium China.
“The extension buys Beijing a few months to see whether the domestic industry can regain profitability without safeguards, and hopefully to make progress on other issues with major beef exporters.”
Although trade measures such as quota curbs were still not completely off the table, it was more likely something could be worked out quietly rather than being imposed, she added.
The authorities have ramped up support for the industry, including financial measures. In July, an Agriculture Ministry official said beef cattle farming had been “generally profitable” for three consecutive months.
China imported a record 2.87 million tonnes of beef in 2024, but imports of 1.3 million tonnes for the first half of 2025 were down 9.5 per cent on the year.
China has restricted imports of American meat by not renewing registrations that permitted shipments from hundreds of US beef facilities after they expired in March, according to the US Meat Export Federation – an industry group.
“The vast majority of our plants aren’t eligible to ship to China presently,” federation spokesman Joe Schuele said.
“While the safeguard investigation is important, it’s not at the top of our minds. The most urgent situation is to get our plants registered for China.”
Without exports to China, the federation estimated the US beef industry’s lost opportunities at about US$4 billion (S$5.1 billion) annually.
“Consistent and transparent plant approvals, without expiration, were among the most important components of the 2020 Phase One Agreement with China,” federation president Dan Halstrom said, referring to the trade pact signed during US President Donald Trump’s first term.
“It’s time for China to return to those commitments.” REUTERS
