The Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) is extremely disappointed with the announcement today by China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) to implement trade-limiting safeguard measures on all Chinese beef imports from 1 January 2026.
AMIC Chief Executive Officer Tim Ryan said these new restrictive trade arrangements imposed on Australia are not fair, appropriate, or reflective of the long-standing, mutually beneficial trade relationship Australia has with China.
“This decision appears to reward other countries who have surged the volume of beef exported to the Chinese market in recent years,” Mr Ryan said.
“This decision will have a severe impact on trade flows to China over the duration of the measures’ enforcement, disrupt the longstanding relationships fostered under the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement, and restrict the ability for Chinese consumers to access safe and reliable Australian beef,” Mr Ryan said.
AMIC, along with Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), engaged with the MOFCOM safeguard investigation team throughout their year-long investigation process. This included providing formal evidence at in-person hearings in China and hosting Chinese investigators in Australia.
“In these representations, AMIC and MLA repeatedly stressed that Australia remains a trusted, reliable and stable source of beef into China, helping to meet Chinese consumer demand. Imports of Australian beef are not a cause of damage to the domestic beef industry in China,” Mr Ryan said.
Australian beef is high quality, safe, and sustainably produced, but accounted for just 8 per cent of China’s overall beef imports in 2024. Nearly 80 per cent of beef imported into China comes from South America.
These new restrictions, however, have the potential to reduce Australian beef exports to China by about one-third compared to the last twelve months – trade worth over A$1 billion.
AMIC will consider today’s announcement and the safeguard measures in more detail.
“We will make strong representations on our members’ behalf to the Australian and Chinese governments regarding the severe and unnecessary impact of these new measures,” Mr Ryan said.
Australia’s beef industry maintains longstanding collaborative partnerships in China – including tailored technical, research and development projects – which help improve the sustainability of China’s domestic beef industry.
About AMIC:
The Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC), is the sole Peak Industry body representing the post-farm gate meat industry, including processors, smallgoods manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors through to independent retail butchers and exporters.
Media contact:
Jemma Harper – General Manager Corporate Affairs
M: 0429 040 128
E: [email protected]
