New Zealand Beef Gains Edge Under China’s Import Rules
China Quotas Open Door for More NZ Beef
New Chinese safeguard tariffs on beef imports are expected to benefit New Zealand farmers and exporters, while constraining supply from competitors, according to reporting by Rural News Group NZ.
China has introduced 55% duties on beef imported above quota levels, while beef shipped within country quotas continues to enjoy duty-free access. New Zealand has been allocated an annual beef quota of 206,000 tonnes for 2026, rising to 214,000 tonnes in subsequent years. This is well above New Zealand’s recent export volumes, which have averaged around 150,000 tonnes, leaving significant headroom for growth.
In contrast, Australia is expected to hit its quota earlier, raising the risk of a supply shortfall that industry estimates could reach up to 200,000 tonnes. As a result, New Zealand is well positioned to fill any gap in Chinese demand, particularly for manufacturing and commodity beef.
Source: Rural News Group NZ | 13 January 2026
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