Canadian beef returning to China for the first time in years

Jan 21, 2026

Canadian beef is allowed to enter China once again, according to a news release from the Canadian Cattle Association and a social media post from Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald.

China closed its border to beef from Canada in 2021 after an atypical case of BSE was found in a cow in Alberta.

On social media site X, MacDonald said in addition to restoring access for beef, "we have signed a pet food safety and sanitation requirements protocol to accelerate resumption of Canadian pet food exports to China."

"These outcomes support Canada's efforts to grow the economy, create jobs, and help Canadian producers and processors access new and expanding markets." MacDonald added in a reply to his initial post.

The news came days after Prime Minister Mark Carney made a deal with China to reduce tariffs on canola seed, meal, peas, and seafood in exchange for allowing a quota of 49 thousand Chinese electric vehicles into Canada at a reduced tariff rate of 6.1 per cent, as well as work to reduce tariffs on certain Chinese steel and aluminum products.

In a news release, the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) said they will "continue to work with government officials and industry stakeholders to learn more details, including potential safeguard measures."

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