As China's demand for imported meat continues to grow, New Zealand's exports of meat to China have soared. The latest 12 months of statistics showed that New Zealand's beef exports to China had risen by 79% by the end of June this year. The export amount to China accounts for 38% of New Zealand's beef exports. The figure surpasses that to the United States (34%). The export value to China and the US account for 36% and 32% respectively of its total beef exports, according to the Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA). 

Apart from beef, New Zealand's mutton exports to China accounted for more than half of New Zealand's total mutton exports in the last 12 months (by the end of June this year). In spite of the fact that the overall volume of New Zealand's mutton exports remained unchanged, the value was even higher, up 6% compared to the previous year. China is once again leading the meat trade in New Zealand, said Tim Ritchie, CEO of MIA. New Zealand beef exports to China rose to more than 25,000 tons in June alone, outpacing its annual exports volume to Taiwan, Japan or South Korea. China remains New Zealand's largest market by value for red meat and related products, with exports to China reaching US $319 million in June alone, followed by the US and UK. Chinese demand for New Zealand red meat has continued to grow since the outbreak of African swine fever a year ago, thereby changing the global pattern of meat supply and demand. 

"China is likely to reduce its pork production by 25% to 30% as a result of the outbreak of African swine fever, "said Mr. Ritchie, “But pork still plays a very important role in China. As the world's largest pork market, China accounts for nearly 50% of global pork consumption. In the face of the shortage of pork supply, China has also produced a huge consumer demand for other alternatives in addition to imported pork. As a result, China's meat imports from New Zealand are expected to continue to climb."