Imports of beef into China reached 502,887 tonnes valued at USD 2.2 billion in the first nine months of 2017, up 14.7% and 15.2% respectively according to China Customs. In September alone, the import volume rose 23.5% over the previous year.
Separately, the Tianjin port in north China is said to have imported about 212,000 tonnes of beef in the nine months, with Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina and New Zealand figuring as the top four suppliers.
Imports from Argentina showed the quickest rise of 69.1%, while imports from Australia fell 16.3% during the period, noted the port.