The surge in imports has raised the risk of trade measures from Beijing, which could affect key suppliers: Brazil, Argentina, Australia and the United States.

Chinese customs authorities on Monday suspended beef imports from seven facilities in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Mongolia amid record imports last year that led to oversupply and huge losses on farms.

In a notice on its website, the customs office reported that it had suspended the import declaration of two Argentine exporters - Frigorífico Regional General Las Heras SA and Frio Dock SA - and three Brazilian meat packing plants: one from Frisa Frigorífico Rio Doce S/A, in Nanuque (MG), another from Bon-Mart Frigorífico Ltda, in Presidente Prudente (SP) and a third from JBS S/A, in Mozarlândia (GO).

Also affected were Frigorífico Sirsil SA of Uruguay and a supplier from Mongolia. Authorities did not provide a reason for the suspensions.

In a statement, Abiec (Brazilian association of meat exporters) said that non-compliances were identified in relation to Chinese requirements for the registration of foreign establishments. "The companies involved have already been notified and are taking corrective measures to comply with the requirements of the Chinese health authority," the entity indicated, adding that it is in dialogue with the competent authorities to resolve the issue quickly.

Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay are among China's largest beef suppliers.

China's Commerce Ministry launched an investigation into surging beef imports late last year as the world's largest beef importer and consumer faced an oversupplied market that pushed domestic beef prices to multi-year lows.

In 2024, China imported a record 2.87 million metric tons of beef, according to customs data.

The surge in imports has raised the risk of trade measures from Beijing, which could affect key suppliers: Brazil, Argentina, Australia and the United States.

The sector is awaiting the official results of the investigation, which are expected to be released later this year.