CHINA is on the cusp of becoming Australia's largest beef export market as consumers shift away from pork in the wake of African Swine Fever.
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Rabobank's China based animal protein analyst Chenjun Pan travelled to Charters Towers last week, where she spoke about the opportunities for Australian graziers.
Ms Pan said the Chinese pig herd had halved over the past year to 200 million pigs, and the demand for other meats including beef had increased significantly.
"China's demand for beef is expected to continue to grow, with the country expected to source 30 per cent of their beef from overseas markets by 2025," Ms Pan said.
Rabobank's Australian-based animal proteins analyst Angus Gidley-Baird said Australia's beef exports to China had increased by 65 per cent in the year to July.
Mr Gidley-Baird told the 30 graziers in attendance at the Charters Towers Golf Club that while China offered great opportunity for the Australian beef sector over the next 12 to 24 months, Australia's competitiveness into the Chinese market would fall once the season broke and cattle prices increased.
