Combining fresh, chilled, and frozen categories, global beef import purchases reached an estimated US $69.9 billion in 2024.

From 2020’s value of $50.2 billion, the total worth of beef imports expanded by 39.1% over the past five years. On a year-over-year basis, the global bill for imported beef climbed 10.5% compared to $63.2 billion in 2023.

The five largest beef-importing nations—mainland China, the United States, South Korea, Japan, and Italy—collectively accounted for nearly 48.9% of all beef imported worldwide in 2024.

By product type, frozen beef made up 53.5% of the overall beef import value, while fresh or chilled beef contributed the remaining 46.5%.

In 2024, Asian markets represented the highest share of beef imports at $32.2 billion or 46.1% of the global total. Europe followed with a 27.4% share, and North America received 19.4% of global beef shipments.

Smaller shares went to Latin America (4.3%, excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean), Africa (2.6%), and Oceania (0.2%), with New Zealand, French Polynesia, and Australia leading in the latter.

For customs classification, fresh or chilled beef is covered under HS code 0201, while frozen beef falls under HS code 0202.

Leading Beef Importers in 2024

The following 15 countries recorded the highest beef import values (all forms included):

1.Mainland China – $13.7 billion (19.6% of global total)

2.United States – $10.8 billion (15.4%)

3.South Korea – $3.7 billion (5.3%)

4.Japan – $3.1 billion (4.5%)

5.Italy – $2.8 billion (4.1%)

6.Germany – $2.5 billion (3.6%)

7.Netherlands – $2.3 billion (3.3%)

8.France – $2.1 billion (2.9%)

9.United Kingdom – $1.8 billion (2.5%)

10.Mexico – $1.44 billion (2.1%)

11.Chile – $1.43 billion (2.1%)

12.United Arab Emirates – $1.37 billion (2%)

13.Canada – $1.32 billion (1.9%)

14.Taiwan – $1.3 billion (1.9%)

15.Spain – $1.1 billion (1.6%)

Together, these countries represented about 72.7% of the world's beef import market in 2024.

From 2020 to 2024, the fastest-growing beef import markets were: United Arab Emirates (+125.4%), Mexico (+123.1%), Spain (+94.2%), and France (+72.6%). Japan was the only major importer to record a drop (-6.2%).

Top Fresh or Chilled Beef Buyers

In 2024, global imports of fresh or chilled beef reached $32.5 billion, a 42.7% jump from 2020’s $22.8 billion and a 9.5% rise over 2023's $29.6 billion.

The 15 leading fresh or chilled beef importers were:

1.United States – $5.9 billion (18.1%)

2.Italy – $2.5 billion (7.7%)

3.Germany – $2.2 billion (6.6%)

4.Netherlands – $2 billion (6.2%)

5.Japan – $1.6 billion (4.9%)

6.France – $1.59 billion (4.9%)

7.United Kingdom – $1.32 billion (4.1%)

8.South Korea – $1.27 billion (3.9%)

9.Chile – $1.26 billion (3.9%)

10.Mexico – $1.1 billion (3.5%)

11.Spain – $903.7 million (2.8%)

12.Canada – $841.6 million (2.6%)

13.Portugal – $837 million (2.6%)

14.Mainland China – $800.3 million (2.5%)

15.Greece – $678 million (2.1%)

These 15 countries accounted for 76.3% of global fresh or chilled beef imports in 2024.

The fastest risers since 2020 were: mainland China (+96.3%), Spain (+93.9%), Mexico (+86.9%), and France (+72.8%). Japan again was the only one to show a decline (-18.7%).

Top Frozen Beef Buyers

Frozen beef imports totaled $37.4 billion in 2024—up 36.1% from 2020’s $27.5 billion and 11.4% higher than $33.6 billion in 2023.

Leading importers were:

1.Mainland China – $12.9 billion (34.5%)

2.United States – $4.9 billion (13.1%)

3.South Korea – $2.5 billion (6.6%)

4.Japan – $1.5 billion (4.1%)

5.Egypt – $911.9 million (2.4%)

6.Vietnam – $864.8 million (2.3%)

7.United Arab Emirates – $855.2 million (2.3%)

8.Taiwan – $798.7 million (2.1%)

9.Hong Kong – $725.3 million (1.9%)

10.Malaysia – $724.1 million (1.9%)

11.Israel – $653.1 million (1.7%)

12.Indonesia – $640.9 million (1.7%)

13.Saudi Arabia – $625.6 million (1.7%)

14.Philippines – $624.3 million (1.7%)

15.Canada – $474.1 million (1.3%)

Combined, they represented 79.3% of global frozen beef imports in 2024.

The most significant growth rates since 2020 were seen in: United Arab Emirates (+203%), Saudi Arabia (+117.8%), Vietnam (+103.3%), and United States (+82.6%). Declines were recorded by Hong Kong (-56.4%) and Egypt (-29.1%).

Key Beef Importing Companies

Based on Tendata trade data, the leading global players in beef trade in 2024 included:

1.Cargill – 5.83% ($291.56 M)

2.Importadora Primex – 3.9% ($195.38 M)

3.Sigma Foodservice Comercial – 2.77% ($138.63 M)

4.Zenith Foods Corp – 2.04% ($102.25 M)

5.Công Ty TNHH Ani Nutri – 1.84% ($92.25 M)

6.Sukarne – 1.66% ($82.84 M)

7.Comercializadora Mexico Americana – 1.64% ($81.86 M)

8.PT Agro Boga Utama – 1.62% ($80.83 M)

9.Supermercados Internacionales H E B – 1.34% ($66.92 M)

10.PT Indoguna Utama – 1.14% ($56.98 M)

How to find Fresh, Chilled, and Frozen Beef  Importers through Tendata Beef  Import Data?

Through Tendata, we screened the list of active buyers with purchasing records in the past year.

For the target customers, in-depth understanding of their company's import trade records, HS codes, suppliers, supply chain, import regions, etc., to assist in analyzing the purchasing power and sustainability of buyers, to determine the development value of the customer; with these trade records, we can look for the right time to enter and point of entry, and more smoothly with the customer ice-breaking communication, to lay the foundation for the final cooperation.

Image source: Tendata

Tendata also provides customer contact information. By clicking on the "Contacts" section, you can view the details of key decision makers such as purchasers and executives, including their email addresses and social accounts such as LinkedIn and Facebook. This approach helps us to quickly reach out to our customers and increase our customer development efficiency.

Image source: Tendata