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U.S. beef to help fill Chinese protein deficit in 2020

The vice president of industry relations at IMI Global says the protein loss in China from African Swine Fever has created opportunities for non-hormone treated cattle to fill that deficit.

Nevil Speer tells Brownfield increased demand for beef in China will likely last for several years. Though, he’s uncertain if the increased demand will allow for greater production from U.S. farmers.

“What we say on the beef side is that it’s really easy to fit that market today,” Speer said. “There is very distinct premiums for NHTC cattle.”

Speer said China’s meat protein deficit for 2020 is projected at around 22 million metric tons.