China lifts ban on Canadian beef exports
Reopened market seen as strategic despite limited volumes
22 January 2026
1 minute read
By: Canadian beef will be exported to China following the relaxation of an import ban that had been in place since 2021, Reuters reported, citing the agriculture minister. Analysts cautioned it will likely be in small amounts.
The reopening of what could be a vital market for Canadian beef follows the visit of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who reached an agreement with China's leadership to lower tariffs and do more business on a number of agricultural commodities, including canola.
"We know that there's a large company that's shipping its first load of beef to China next week," said Canadian Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald on Tuesday. Earlier on social media he said "China has lifted market access for Canadian beef."
China's customs agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The move is not expected to have an immediate major impact on Canadian beef exports or prices because North America has a shortage of domestic beef and prices are historically high.
Sylvain Charlebois, a food market expert known as The Food Professor, said: "China reopening or expanding access for Canadian beef won't move food prices in Canada in any meaningful way.
"The volumes involved are relatively small, and Canada simply doesn't have the scale to divert large amounts of beef away from the domestic market without disrupting other exports first."
However, China is an important market for certain cuts of beef, so the reopening is important for Canadian farmers and beef exporters.
Beef market analyst Jerry Klassen said: "It's very important for Canadian beef farmers to have access to as many markets as possible. The Chinese market is very important because it has potential for significant growth."
Klassen and the Canadian Cattle Association said the details on the reopening were not yet available, so the full implications would only be understood once they were. However the association celebrated the resumption of trade.
China was Canada's fourth largest beef market in 2021, before being suspended in December of that year.
China can be a vital export market for Canada when North America has a beef surplus and domestic prices are low.
