MLA says China meat imports surging
Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) have reported that total China beef imports were up 43% for the year to June, with South American beef suppliers continuing to grow their presence in China.
The value of the market there in China continues to grow even with the tightening of the Australian beef supply, according to MLA. Import demand has grown since 2019, sparked by the pork shortage resulting from the African Swine Fever (ASF), it said; some 40% of China’s pig herd has been destroyed by ASF and it could take the industry years to recover.
MLA pointed out that the June import volumes reflect high demand for protein as total meat imports reached 873,000 tonnes shipped weight for the month. Although that doesn’t quite meet the record of 902,000 tonnes reached in March, MLA said the March numbers were likely impacted by port disruptions in the preceding two months — so the June numbers suggest demand is still growing.
