China officially allowed US beef imports from Tuesday this week after the two sides settled the conditions for exports last week. Under the new rule, boneless and bone-in beef from cattle under 30 months of age will be eligible for imports. Beef destined for China must also be from cattle that can be traced to its birth farm, according to the rule. Chinese importers are racing to bring in American beef to meet increasing demand for premium meat in the $2.6 billion beef import market.
Cofco's imports, the first to have landed in China, will be sold on Cofco's e-commerce platform Womai.com, according to CNR. Arrivals of US beef could erode sales of Australian beef in China's lucrative premium meat market.