China Meat Imports 2026: Beef Surges While Pork, Lamb and Poultry Decline

Beef Imports: Volume Growth Despite Monthly Decline

Import Volume and Structure

In February 2026, China imported 261,000 tons of beef, a month-on-month decrease of 105,000 tons (−28.7%), but a year-on-year increase of 69,000 tons (+36.2%). Import value reached $1.43 billion, down 30.8% MoM and up 43.3% YoY.

For January–February 2026, total beef imports were 628,000 tons, an increase of 159,000 tons (+34% YoY). Import value totaled $3.5 billion, up 44.5% YoY.

From a structural perspective, frozen boneless beef accounted for over 80% of total imports and continued to gain share. In contrast, chilled boneless beef imports declined nearly 12% YoY, despite the overall increase in total volume.

Import Prices

The average import price in February was $5,475 per ton, down 3% MoM and up 5.2% YoY.

Key Suppliers

China imported beef from 15 countries in the first two months. The top five suppliers were Brazil, Argentina, Australia, Uruguay, and New Zealand.

Imports from Brazil reached 372,000 tons, increasing 75.8% YoY, accounting for 59.3% of total imports.

Pork Imports: Sharp Decline in Volume and Value

Import Volume and Structure

China imported 52,000 tons of pork in February 2026, a month-on-month decrease of 15,000 tons (−22.8%) and a year-on-year decrease of 31,000 tons (−37.6%). Import value was $101 million, down 25.4% MoM and 41.5% YoY.

For January–February, imports totaled 119,600 tons, a decrease of 65,000 tons (−35% YoY). Import value reached $238 million, down 37.9% YoY.

Structurally, pork leg imports declined 24% YoY, while other frozen pork and pork fat imports dropped 37% and 90%, respectively. The share of pork leg increased to 27.3%.

Import Prices

The average import price in February was $1,952 per ton, down 3.3% MoM and 6.2% YoY, marking the lowest level for the same period since 2020.

Key Suppliers

China imported pork from 16 countries, with Spain, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Chile, and Canada ranking as the top five suppliers.

Imports from Brazil declined nearly 63% YoY, reducing its share to 11.9%. Imports from the United Kingdom and Russia increased 2.2% and 140% YoY, raising their shares to 9.5% and 4.9%, respectively. The United Kingdom ranked as the third-largest supplier.

Pork By-Products: Weak Demand and Low Price Levels

Import Volume and Structure

In February 2026, China imported 72,000 tons of pork by-products, a month-on-month decrease of 32,000 tons (−30.9%) and a year-on-year decrease of 7,000 tons (−8.8%). Import value was $141 million, down 29% MoM and 18.6% YoY. This marked the second-lowest February import level since 2020, only higher than February 2020.

For January–February, imports totaled 175,000 tons, a decrease of 6,000 tons (−3.4% YoY), with import value at $340 million, down 13.3% YoY.

Import Prices

The average import price in February was $1,970 per ton, up 2.7% MoM but down 10.8% YoY, the lowest level for the same period since 2020.

Key Suppliers

China imported pork by-products from 15 countries, led by Spain, the United States, Denmark, Canada, and the Netherlands.

Spain exported 41,000 tons, up 14% YoY, accounting for 23.4%. Denmark exported 22,000 tons, up 30.6% YoY, with its share rising to 12.7%, ranking third.

Lamb Imports: Broad-Based Decline with Diverging Product Trends

Import Volume and Structure

In February 2026, China imported 17,834 tons of lamb, a month-on-month decrease of 13,447 tons (−43%) and a year-on-year decrease of 14,107 tons (−44.2%). Import value reached $82.51 million, down 40.5% MoM and 34.7% YoY.

For January–February 2026, total lamb imports were 49,115 tons, a decrease of 20,280 tons (−29.2% YoY), with import value at $221 million, down 18.4% YoY.

Frozen bone-in mutton remained the dominant product, accounting for 80.3% of total imports. Its import volume declined 26.5% YoY, though its share increased slightly.

Detailed Product Breakdown

Imports of chilled mutton, goat meat, and lamb showed significant divergence:

• Chilled mutton (fresh/chilled sheep meat) recorded rapid growth from a low base. In 2025, imports increased 230% YoY to 2,527 tons. This trend continued into 2026, with imports reaching 636 tons in the first two months, up 307% YoY.

• Goat meat imports declined sharply. In 2025, imports showed a high-to-low trend throughout the year, falling to 194 tons in December. The downward trend continued in 2026, with imports at 134 tons in January and 23 tons in February, totaling 157 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 88.8%.

• Lamb imports contracted significantly, with zero imports recorded in January–February 2026, compared to 610 tons in the same period of the previous year.

Import Prices

The average import price reached $4,627 per ton in February 2026, up 4.4% MoM and 17% YoY, marking the highest level since 2023.

Key Suppliers

China's lamb imports mainly came from New Zealand, Australia, Uruguay, Madagascar, and Chile.

Imports from South America have shown a sustained contraction trend. In 2025, China's lamb imports from Uruguay, Chile, and Argentina all declined by more than 50% year-on-year. This downward trajectory continued into 2026:

• China imported no lamb from Argentina in the first two months of 2026

• Imports from Uruguay and Chile decreased by 35% and 62% YoY, respectively

Poultry Imports: Month-on-Month Rebound with Weak Yearly Performance

Import Volume and Structure

China imported 38,200 tons of poultry meat in February 2026, a month-on-month increase of 12,600 tons (+49.4%), but a year-on-year decrease of 38,300 tons (−50.1%). Import value was $116 million, up 43% MoM and down 49.3% YoY.

The rebound was supported by the resumption of poultry imports from Brazil, and imports are expected to gradually recover from low levels.

For January–February, total imports were 63,745 tons, a decrease of 86,000 tons (−57.5% YoY). Import value reached $198 million, down 56.5% YoY.

Chicken by-products dominated the structure, accounting for 95.2% of imports:

• Frozen chicken feet: 29,766 tons (46.7%)

• Frozen chicken wings: 26,307 tons (41.3%)

• Other by-products: 4,634 tons (7.3%)

Import Prices

• Frozen chicken feet: $3,250/ton (−2.7% MoM, −12.2% YoY)

• Frozen chicken wings: $3,350/ton (−2.4% MoM, +4.9% YoY)

• Frozen bone-in chicken cuts: $1,319/ton (+4% MoM, −3.1% YoY)

Key Suppliers

China imported poultry from 9 countries, with Brazil, Russia, and Thailand as the top three suppliers, accounting for 51.3%, 26.7%, and 13.7%, respectively—nearly 92% combined.

Brazil's share changed significantly over time:

• 59% in 2024

• 48% in 2025 due to import restrictions

• Nearly 62% in February 2026 after the ban was lifted in November 2025

Conclusion

China's meat import data for early 2026 highlights clear divergence:

• Beef imports expanded significantly, led by frozen products and strong supply from Brazil

• Pork and pork by-products declined sharply, with weakening demand and falling prices

• Lamb imports contracted across all categories, despite rising prices

• Poultry imports showed short-term recovery, supported by Brazil's return

These dynamics underscore ongoing structural adjustments in China's protein import market, with notable shifts in product mix, supplier concentration, and pricing trends.