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While China's imports appear to be stable at high volumes - at low prices - in the United States, the world's second largest importer, the price of cattle and meat is rising again, reaching historic records.

Core Tip: According to data from the Bolivian National Statistics Institute (INE), from January to November last year, the export value of beef and its by-products was about US$220 million, higher than the full-year export value in 2023 (US$200 million). Against this background, the full-year export growth is expected to be more than 10%. In addition, China is the main export destination.

China has been undergoing a process of enormous social transformation. For years, its economy has been growing at high rates, there is a strong migration from the countryside to the cities, and improvements in the quality of life of a large part of its population are recorded, which implies modifications in its diet. That is why its demand for beef increases, which has made it the largest buyer in the world. Although it began an investigation at the WTO for alleged damage to its producers from this import, this year will not be the exception. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects that it would buy 3.9 million tons, which means an increase of 30% compared to 2020. The Uruguayan analyst Rafael Tardáguila also indicated that “the stocks of imported meat are at low levels. Out of an index of 100 reached in May, they are currently at 75. We have to see how they stand after the celebrations for the Lunar New Year for those who are supplying themselves from the countries of Oceania, mainly