Australia has already filled its annual beef quota for China, and Brazil is close behind, potentially pushing two of the world’s largest exporters out of the Chinese market for the rest of 2026, according to a report from Argentina’s Rosario exchange.
Impact on Trade
This development has raised uncertainty over beef trade and prices in the second half of the year, particularly as other suppliers such as Argentina, Uruguay, and New Zealand still have more room left under their quotas.
The report said Australia and Brazil shipped aggressively early in the year, betting China might loosen the rules or expand quotas later on. Others moved more slowly, hoping tighter supply later in the year would lift prices.
China’s beef imports in the first five months of 2026 were stronger than expected, and prices were also higher, despite the quota system introduced to slow import growth and protect domestic producers.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
