Even While Enjoying 'Premium Fruit,' "Eating Beef Is a Luxury"... Food Price Divide Deepens at Chinese Tables

Food Price Polarization Deepens in China
Improved Logistics Make Premium Imported Fruit More Accessible
Beef Prices Continue to Soar

Food prices in China are becoming increasingly polarized: cherry and blueberry prices have plunged, while beef prices have surged. Improved logistics have made premium imported fruit more affordable, but declining cattle inventories and the effects of import restrictions have kept beef prices on a steep upward trajectory.

Sales of Premium Imported Fruit Surge as Prices Fall

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On November 10, Chinese economic media outlet Jinzhongjie reported that "cherries are priced lower than at the same time last year, allowing consumers to enjoy them to their heart's content." China is the largest importer of Chilean cherries, accounting for about 90% of Chile's annual exports. Recent improvements to efficient cross-border logistics systems and streamlined customs clearance procedures have made it possible to enjoy fresh cherries at lower prices.

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Blueberries are following a similar trend. According to an agricultural products trading center in Shanghai, 1.5 kg of blueberries that cost more than 200 yuan (about 40,000 won) last year now cost just over 100 yuan (about 20,000 won). A similar trend is being seen in online stores. Once considered a premium fruit, blueberries are selling in sharply higher volumes as prices fall.

Beef Prices Surge 27% From a Year Earlier...Chicken and Pork Prices Fall

Meanwhile, Sina Finance reported on the same day that beef prices were rising sharply amid supply shortages. Until just two years ago, beef was relatively inexpensive at an average of 40 to 50 yuan (8,000 to 10,000 won) per person, and people could enjoy it in a variety of dishes, including hot pot and barbecue. Prices began rising last year and had surged about 27% year over year as of November.

Local agricultural wholesale data show that the wholesale price of beef rose steadily from 58.03 yuan per kg in the first quarter of last year to 61.52 yuan in April, 63.20 yuan in May and 63.78 yuan in June. It then passed the 70-yuan mark, reaching 70.25 yuan in the first quarter of this year, and recently climbed to 73.53 yuan. The price per head of cattle also rose by about 6,000 yuan (approximately 1.2 million won).

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The sharp price increases are being driven by a decline in cattle inventories and tighter barriers to imports. Available data show that China's cattle inventory fell from 100.47 million head at the end of 2024 to 99.92 million at the end of the second quarter of last year, then dropped further to 96.08 million in the fourth quarter. That represents a decline of about 4 million head in a year. In addition, a beef import quota system took effect this year, raising tariffs and import costs. Rising costs for feed such as corn, labor and land have also increased cost pressures across the livestock industry.

In a research report, Changjiang Securities forecast that "as beef supplies continue to decline, supply shortages will worsen further from 2027 to 2028," adding that "the livestock industry will enter a profit-generating cycle that will last for more than two years."

Meanwhile, pork and chicken, the main meats that shape food prices for Chinese households, have continued to fall in price amid oversupply. As of November 12, the average price of pork at agricultural wholesale markets nationwide was 14.77 yuan per kg, its lowest level in 10 years. Chicken prices have also followed a similar downward trend, in stark contrast to beef.

China's Ministry of Commerce said late last year that a surge in beef imports had seriously harmed the domestic industry and announced safeguard measures on beef imports. The measures will remain in effect for three years, through December 31, 2028, and will be gradually eased during that period. Imports exceeding the quota will be subject to an additional tariff of 55%. At the time, the Ministry emphasized that the measures were "intended to help the domestic industry overcome the difficulties it faces" and "are not intended to restrict normal trade."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.