China drops ban on Canadian beef for the first time since 2021

This story was first published on RealAgriculture.com on Jan 19, 2026.

China is re-opening its border to Canadian beef for the first time since 2021, according to Canada’s agriculture minister and the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA).

“China has restored market access for Canadian beef, lifting the suspension that had been in place since December 2021,” Minister Heath MacDonald said, who accompanied Prime Minister Mark Carney to Beijing last week, in a Jan. 19 post on social media.

“In addition, we have signed a pet food safety and sanitation requirements protocol to accelerate resumption of Canadian pet food exports to China.”

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CCA says it is working with government officials and industry to learn more details, including potential safeguard measures.

China halted beef imports in 2021 following an atypical case of BSE in a cow in Alberta.

“We are pleased to see renewed access into China, one of the largest export markets for beef. Every market matters to Canadian beef farmers and ranchers; it supports our industry’s resilience and growth,” CCA president Tyler Fulton said in a Jan. 19 statement.

“Canadian beef continues to be sought after because it is among the highest quality beef in the world and we appreciate the advocacy of both Prime Minister Carney and our Minister of Agriculture, Heath MacDonald.”

The news of beef trade resuming comes three days after Prime Minister Carney met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where the Chinese government agreed to ease tariffs on Canadian canola products, peas and seafood in exchange for Canada loosening restrictions on Chinese electric vehicle imports. There was no mention of renewed beef market access by Carney or Canadian officials following the trip.

“We remain committed to expanding market access for Canadian beef and securing the best trade deals for Canadian beef farmers and ranchers. We look forward to continuing to work with the Government of Canada in pursuing new markets and removing non-tariff and tariff barriers to Canadian beef,” Fulton said.