USMEF Statement on U.S.-China Beef Trade Developments

Published: May 15, 2026

China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) has granted a five-year registration extension to 425 overdue U.S. beef establishments in China’s Food Import Food Establishment (CIFER) system. Additionally, 77 new U.S. beef establishment registrations have been added to the CIFER system with an effective date of May 15, 2026, and registrations are valid for five years. There are 38 beef establishments which remain suspended. Of the suspended facilities, 25 were also expired and are now renewed, but remain ineligible for export.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is awaiting more details from the U.S. government on these developments but offers the following comment, which can be attributed to USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom:

USMEF greatly appreciates U.S. beef access being prioritized at the summit meeting between President Trump and President Xi. Renewal of U.S. beef establishment registrations is a critical step forward for U.S. beef exports to China. We await more details and a further readout from USTR’s engagements with China, and note with appreciation Ambassador Greer’s optimism for U.S. agricultural trade with China.

China’s renewal of U.S. beef establishments is excellent news for the U.S. beef industry and for the customers in China who are anxious to resume purchases. This major positive development also comes ahead of China’s huge SIAL food show, opening this weekend in Shanghai.

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