Beef exports to China have paused as exporters expect the 55% tariff to be triggered.
China imposed a stringent 205,000-tonne annual quota on Australian imported beef beginning January 1,2026. Once the quota is exceeded, a 55% out of quota tariff will kick in for the remainder of the year. The quota is set at two-thirds of the trade volume in the last year and is designed to protect the Chinese beef industry.
As of June 1, 2026, Australian beef exports hit 90% of the 205,000-tonne China quota. Exports quickly gained pace as exporters scrambled to get products to China with the finish line approaching. It took 51 days for the quota to be filled from 50% to 80%.
Products in transit will fill the remaining quota, so tariff-free exports have effectively ended. Exporters are now hesitant to ship to China, fearing arrival after the tariff applies.
The tariff will also have an effect on wholesale beef pricing in Australia as stocks begin to accumulate. Specific cuts such as tenderloins, porterhouses, and rib eyes have prices dropping by 15-20% due to limited access to the Chinese market.
