Canadian beef returning to Chinese market after 2021 ban lifted

China has lifted its ban on Canadian beef exports that began in December 2021, and Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald said a Canadian company is expected to ship a first load next week.

China has lifted its ban on Canadian beef exports that began in December 2021. Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald announced the change after a recent trip to Beijing. Industry officials said a Canadian company is expected to ship a first load next week. The original ban followed an atypical case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy on an Alberta farm. Current details: - Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald announced the ban's removal and said a Canadian company is expected to ship a first load of beef to China next week. - China blocked beef shipments from Canadian processing plants in December 2021 after an atypical BSE case on an Alberta farm; South Korea and the Philippines lifted bans soon after, but China maintained its restriction until now. - China was Canada's fourth-largest beef export market in 2021, and industry voices say improved bilateral ties helped pave the way for the change. - China applies a 55% tariff on beef imports that exceed set quotas; the general quota for other countries is around 156,000 tonnes in 2026, and Canada was not assigned a country-specific quota so it will compete under that general quota. - Industry representatives said producers and processors have strengthened sales relationships with markets such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Mexico and the U.S.; last year Canada exported $7 million worth of beef and cattle, with $6 million going to the U.S. Summary: The lifting of the ban allows Canadian beef to compete again for exports to China, though shipments will face quota limits and potential tariffs above quota levels. Industry representatives say processors are preparing to meet China’s requirements and a first shipment is expected in the coming weeks. Quota safeguards are set to increase annually for the next three years, and how quickly trade volumes return will depend on quota allocation and regulatory clearances.