China will impose an added 55% tariff on beef imports that exceed quota levels from key suppliers in a move to protect its domestic cattle industry. China's new annual quota levels are lower than import levels for the first 11 months of 2025 for top supplier Brazil, and Australia. Beef imports to China fell 0.3% in the first 11 months of 2025 to 2.59m tons. Chinese beef imports will decline in 2026 as a result of the measures, said Hongzhi Xu, senior analyst at Beijing Orient Agribusiness Consultants. China made its announcement following two extensions of its beef import probe, which officials say does not target any particular country.

Source: Irish Examiner January 01, 2026 12:48 UTC