Overview
- The Ministry of Commerce cited the case’s complexity in prolonging the investigation, which covers imports from all countries rather than targeting a specific supplier.
- This is the second extension since the probe began on December 27, 2024, after a prior deadline had been pushed to November 26, 2025.
- Any eventual restrictions could hit major suppliers, with Argentina particularly exposed because roughly 70% of its beef exports go to China.
- Industry observers described the two‑month extension as unusual and noted a crowded political and holiday calendar as a possible factor in the timing.
- China’s market backdrop includes record 2024 beef imports of 2.87 million tonnes and a 2.8% year‑on‑year rise to 2.41 million tonnes in January–October 2025, alongside recent support measures for domestic cattle producers.