U.S. beef exports to China plummeted to near-zero levels in March after Beijing allowed export registrations for American meat facilities to expire, compounding pressures from retaliatory tariffs and a Chinese oversupply crisis. Weekly sales fell from 2,000+ metric tons in February to just 54 tons by March 20, per USDA data, as buyers and exporters froze deals over clearance uncertainties.
Key Drivers:
Registration Lapse: China let certifications for U.S. beef plants expire on March 16, halting shipments from hundreds of facilities. Pork and poultry registrations were renewed, signaling targeted trade pressure.
Tariff War: Retaliatory duties on U.S. beef (part of broader trade tensions) made American products less competitive in China’s oversupplied market.
Domestic Glut: China’s 2023 probe into beef imports aims to shield local producers from crashing prices, with a hearing set for next week.
Industry Impact:
Packers Squeezed: Tyson Foods and rivals face losses as China—a top buyer of U.S. beef—halts purchases amid record-high U.S. cattle prices.
Export Uncertainty: The U.S. Meat Export Federation warns traders are avoiding deals for post-March 16 beef, fearing customs rejections. “Nobody wants to risk product,” said spokesperson Joe Schuele.
Broader Context:
U.S.-China relations remain strained, with agricultural trade a recurring battleground. China’s beef imports surged 20% in 2023, but a domestic oversupply and economic slowdown now dampen demand.