China Imposes Extra 55% Tariff on Brazilian Beef Imports From October 1

China will levy an additional 55% tariff on beef imports from Brazil starting October 1, 2026, on top of the existing applicable rate, the Commerce Ministry said on September 30, 2026. Beijing had signaled the move in January, targeting beef volumes exceeding quota levels from key suppliers to shield its domestic cattle industry. Brazil, China's largest beef supplier, received a 1.1 million metric ton quota for the year. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said last week that Uruguay authorized Brazil to use surplus volumes from its China quota, but Beijing has not agreed to the arrangement for 2026 or 2027, industry insiders said. Beijing previously rejected Brazil's lobbying to reallocate unused quotas from other countries. Industry group Abiec expects Brazil's total beef exports to fall 10% year-on-year in 2026 amid Chinese restrictions and a European Union curb. Attention now turns to whether China renews its beef quota system for 2027 by year-end.