China Renews U.S. Pork and Poultry Export Approvals—But Beef Remains in Limbo
China has extended export approvals for U.S. pork and poultry plants, easing trade concerns, while leaving beef exports uncertain amid market oversupply.
A few days ago, we covered the uncertainty surrounding expired U.S. meat export registrations to China. Now, there’s finally some movement on that front: Beijing has renewed approvals for hundreds of American pork and poultry plants, providing much-needed relief to U.S. farmers and meat producers. However, the fate of beef exports remains uncertain, with China’s customs website still listing many U.S. beef facilities as “expired.”
A Welcome Decision for the Meat Industry
For weeks, industry insiders worried about the potential disruption of exports to China, the world’s largest meat importer. China requires foreign food suppliers to maintain active registrations to continue shipping products, but approvals for more than 1,000 U.S. meat facilities had lapsed. With the new renewals extending pork and poultry registrations until 2030, exporters can breathe a sigh of relief—at least for now.
Shipments from facilities with lapsed registrations were still clearing Chinese customs, but the lack of clarity had left U.S. exporters uneasy about how long that situation would last. The renewal offers much-needed stability, particularly as trade tensions continue between Washington and Beijing.
Beef Exports Left in Uncertainty
Despite this progress, U.S. beef exporters remain in limbo. China has yet to renew registrations for hundreds of beef plants, a move that aligns with its broader efforts to control beef imports amid domestic oversupply concerns. While industry representatives are hopeful that beef facilities will be next in line for renewal, the delay raises questions about Beijing’s long-term strategy for U.S. meat imports.
China’s Meat Market: A High-Stakes Battleground
China’s role as a major meat importer means that U.S. exporters are competing with other global suppliers. In 2024, Brazil led the pack, exporting over $8.3 billion worth of meat to China. The U.S., by comparison, was the second-largest meat exporter by value, with shipments totaling $2.5 billion, accounting for 9% of China’s total meat imports.
However, the past year has been a bumpy ride for American meat exporters. Bird flu outbreaks have impacted poultry shipments, and escalating trade tensions have resulted in additional tariffs on U.S. pork, beef, and dairy. China’s latest move signals that while it is willing to maintain strong trade ties in certain areas, it is also exercising caution in others.
What’s Next?
The renewal of pork and poultry registrations is a positive step, but the industry remains on edge over beef. Joe Schuele of the U.S. Meat Export Federation voiced cautious optimism, saying, “We’re pleased to see progress on the pork facilities and hoping for similar news on beef as soon as possible.”
For now, U.S. exporters must wait and see whether China will extend the same courtesy to beef producers—or if this is a sign of a shifting trade dynamic. With billions of dollars at stake, the next few months will be crucial for American meat companies looking to maintain their foothold in the Chinese market.