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On March 31, 2025, China’s International Trade Single Window published a notification that included an update stating that imported meat and poultry products would require a “Product Expiration Date” as a data field for customs import declarations.

On March 15 and 17, the General Administration of Customs of China renewed or extended the facility registrations by five years for approximately 14 U.S. dairy, 210 U.S. poultry, and 365 U.S. pork establishments.

Post maintains its 2025 forecast on the decline of both pork and beef production. Due to the decline in domestic beef production and growing market demand, Post forecasts beef imports to grow in 2025. Post revised downward its 2025 pork import forecast to levels similar to 2024 owing to depressed demand.

Brazil is the second largest beef producing country and the largest beef exporting country in the world. Post expects decreased slaughter in 2025, due to the forecast start of the reversion of the cattle cycle.

On December 27, the People's Republic of China (PRC) Ministry of Commerce Trade Remedy Investigation Bureau announced a safeguard investigation on global beef imports following a petition by the China Animal Agriculture Association (CAAA) and nine provincial animal agriculture associations.

The United States has become a leading supplier of beef products to China since its reentry into the market in 2017. This report reviews the development of the beef market, analyzes prospects, discusses potential opportunities, and examines in detail the distribution channels of beef products in the China market.

Brazil is the third-largest cattle producer and second-largest beef exporter in the world. Post forecasts decreased slaughter in 2025, due to the forecasted start of the reversion of the cattle cycle. Producers are likely to start retaining cattle in 2025, driving calf prices upwards.

In 2025, Post forecasts both pork and beef production to decline. Lower domestic beef production is expected to help fuel further beef imports. However, Post forecasts pork imports in 2025 to remain at similar levels to 2024. Post forecasts pork consumption to decline in 2025 because of headwinds facing the economy and higher domestic pork prices.

The 2023 U.S. Agricultural Export Yearbook provides a statistical summary of U.S. agricultural commodity exports to the world during the 2023 calendar year.

Post forecasts economic headwinds will continue to impact consumption of both pork and beef in 2024. Swine and pork production in 2024 will be marginally down 3 percent as persistently low live hog and pork prices weigh on producers.

Brazil is currently at the bottom of the cattle cycle, liquidating inventories since 2023. The oversupply of cattle for slaughter has led to a slow price recovery and longer-term impact to the replacement market.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and Food Supply of Brazil (MAPA) announced the opening of the Dominican Republic market for pork and beef products on August 9, 2023.