Beef (cattle meat) production in China
In 2024 China produced 7.0 million t of beef (cattle meat), the 3rd largest in the world (10.1% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 27%. This is the highest figure on record.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Production, 2024
- 7.0 million t
- World rank
- 3 of 189
- 10-year change
- +27%
- Record
- 7.0 million t
- 2024
Beef (cattle meat) in China, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
China compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 10.1%
- 8.8% in 2014
- kg per person
- 4.94
- world 8.55
- 10-year change
- +27%
- world +10%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 12,289,768 | 17.6% |
| 2 | Brazil | 10,237,584 | 14.7% |
| 3 | China | 7,011,810 | 10.1% |
| 4 | Argentina | 3,178,044 | 4.6% |
| 5 | Australia | 2,589,767 | 3.7% |
Map of world production of beef (cattle meat)
Share of the world total; China is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7,011,810 | +3.5% |
| 2023 | 6,774,120 | +4.8% |
| 2022 | 6,464,340 | +3.0% |
| 2021 | 6,277,590 | +3.7% |
| 2020 | 6,052,050 | +0.8% |
| 2019 | 6,005,800 | +3.6% |
| 2018 | 5,796,540 | +1.5% |
| 2017 | 5,711,580 | +2.9% |
| 2016 | 5,552,190 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 5,552,010 | +0.2% |
| 2014 | 5,541,480 | +0.4% |
| 2013 | 5,517,810 | −0.3% |
| 2012 | 5,532,750 | +0.7% |
| 2011 | 5,496,390 | −2.9% |
| 2010 | 5,661,630 | +0.5% |
| 2009 | 5,635,620 | +1.4% |
| 2008 | 5,559,120 | −1.4% |
| 2007 | 5,635,980 | +6.1% |
| 2006 | 5,312,970 | +3.9% |
| 2005 | 5,112,900 | +1.4% |
| 2004 | 5,043,600 | +3.3% |
| 2003 | 4,882,500 | +3.9% |
| 2002 | 4,697,100 | +2.6% |
| 2001 | 4,577,400 | −0.9% |
| 2000 | 4,618,080 | +1.5% |
| 1999 | 4,548,600 | +13% |
| 1998 | 4,013,000 | +11% |
| 1997 | 3,629,300 | +22% |
| 1996 | 2,976,300 | +16% |
| 1995 | 2,570,500 | +22% |
| 1994 | 2,114,500 | +8.2% |
| 1993 | 1,955,000 | +26% |
| 1992 | 1,549,450 | +18% |
| 1991 | 1,314,500 | +22% |
| 1990 | 1,078,000 | +18% |
| 1989 | 911,000 | +21% |
| 1988 | 755,400 | +17% |
| 1987 | 648,000 | +44% |
| 1986 | 450,000 | +30% |
| 1985 | 345,000 | +15% |
| 1984 | 301,000 | +16% |
| 1983 | 260,000 | +8.3% |
| 1982 | 240,000 | +2.1% |
| 1981 | 235,000 | 0.0% |
| 1980 | 235,000 | +12% |
| 1979 | 210,000 | +14% |
| 1978 | 184,000 | 0.0% |
| 1977 | 184,000 | +5.7% |
| 1976 | 174,000 | −3.9% |
| 1975 | 181,000 | +4.0% |
| 1974 | 174,000 | +6.7% |
| 1973 | 163,000 | +10% |
| 1972 | 148,000 | +7.2% |
| 1971 | 138,000 | +13% |
| 1970 | 122,000 | 0.0% |
| 1969 | 122,000 | +3.4% |
| 1968 | 118,000 | 0.0% |
| 1967 | 118,000 | +4.4% |
| 1966 | 113,000 | +8.7% |
| 1965 | 104,000 | +12% |
| 1964 | 93,000 | +12% |
| 1963 | 83,000 | +34% |
| 1962 | 62,000 | +44% |
| 1961 | 43,000 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 54 t USD 355,000
- Exporter rank
- 65 of 92
- Imports
- 489,117 t USD 1.24 bn
- Importer rank
- 1 of 169
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of beef (cattle meat) in China?
China produced 7.0 million t in 2024, 10.1% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does China rank in the world for production of beef (cattle meat)?
China ranked 3rd of 189 countries in 2024. The largest producer was United States with 17.6% of the world total.
How has the production of beef (cattle meat) in China changed?
It rose by 27% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +10% for the world. 2024 was the highest figure on record.
Does China export or import meat of cattle with the bone, fresh or chilled?
In 2024 China reported exports of 54 t (USD 355,000) and imports of 489,117 t (USD 1.24 bn), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2024 figure for China is estimated by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.