Joint statement on investigation regarding bovine meat imports announced by China

The Brazilian Government has received communication from the Chinese Ministry of Trade regarding the initiation of an investigation for the application of safeguard measures over the import of bovine meat by that country.

The investigation, which opened today (December 27), encompasses all countries exporting bovine meat to China. It will last eight months and analyze the period between 2019 and the first semester of 2024. Initially, there is no provision for the adoption of any preliminary measures, and the current 12% “ad valorem” tariff applied by China to bovine meat imports remains valid. 

China is the main destination of Brazilian bovine meat exports and has been consolidated as Brazil’s largest partner for animal protein exports. In 2024, Brazilian bovine meat exports to that country totaled over one million tons, representing a 12,7% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

During the coming months and following the course and legal timeline of the investigation, the Brazilian Government will seek to demonstrate, together with the exporting sector, that Brazilian bovine meat exported to China does not generate any type of harm to the Chinese industry; on the contrary, it represents an important complementarity factor to local Chinese production. 

The Brazilian Government reaffirms its commitment to defending the interests of Brazilian agribusiness, respecting the sovereign decisions of our main trade partner, and continuously seeking constructive dialog as a means to find mutually beneficial solutions.

Press information
imprensa@agro.gov.br