Brazil has already secured almost half of its quota for supplying beef to China in 2026.

China imported 246,300 tons of beef in March of this year, a volume higher than that recorded in the same month of 2025 and the average of the last five years, according to data released this week by the General Administration of Customs of the Asian country (GACC) and analyzed by DATAGRO Pecuária. In the first quarter of 2026, Chinese imports of the protein totaled 886,700 tons, an increase of 28.3% compared to the first three months of last year, when landings totaled 690,700 tons. Brazil supplied 57.7% of the total imported by China so far this year, equivalent to 512,000 tons. This volume represents 46.3% of the 1.1 million ton quota established by Beijing for Brazilian meatpacking plants in 2026. At the turn of the year, aiming to protect the local industry, China imposed individual beef supply quotas on its main suppliers. According to the criteria established by the Chinese government, shipments sent after the quotas have been exhausted will be subject to a 55% surcharge. Argentina, the second largest supplier to the Asian country so far this year, has already sent 140,500 tons of beef, equivalent to 27.5% of its quota. Following Argentina, Australia supplied 106,000 tons (51.7% of its quota), Uruguay sent 64,500 tons (19.9% of its quota), New Zealand 30,200 tons (14.7% of its quota), and the United States 1,300 tons (0.8% of its quota).

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.