How much beef does China produce?

China's beef production

FAOSTAT Crops and livestock products (QCL), 2024. World total is the sum of reporting countries.

Share of world output over time

Average annual share by decade: 1960s 0.3%, 1970s 0.4%, 1980s 0.9%, 1990s 4.9%, 2000s 9%, 2010s 9.1%, 2020s 9.8%. See the concentration-over-time report.

China as a buyer of beef

China imported $11.8 billion of frozen beef (HS 0202) in 2024, 32% of world imports, ranked #1. Of its $11.8 billion of beef imports in 2024, 51% came from Brazil and 15% from Argentina, among 34 suppliers. Largest sources: Brazil (51%), Argentina (15%), United States (9.9%), Australia (9.4%), Uruguay (5.2%).

Import dependency · Supplier shifts

How much beef China uses

China's domestic supply of beef was 11.2 million tonnes in 2023, 15% of the world's. Food supply was 7.9 kg per person a year, 71st highest of 142 countries with a million or more people. It produced 67% of what it used (self-sufficiency) and imported 33%. FAO's item is "Bovine meat". Consumption · Self-sufficiency.

The beef price China sells into

The benchmark price, Australia/New Zealand, CIF US ports, was $6.86/kg in September 2026, down 1% over twelve months. Its five-year volatility is 12% a year, calmer in 35% of its earlier five-year windows. A single country's export price can differ from the benchmark: see trade price against benchmark. Monthly averages lag the market and are not investment advice. Beef price history.