Below are the 15 countries that imported the highest dollar value worth of fresh, chilled or frozen beef during 2017.

1. United States: US$5 billion (11.5% of total beef imports)
2. Japan: $3.12 billion (7.2%)
3. China: $3.07 billion (7%)
4. South Korea: $2.3 billion (5.2%)
5. Germany: $2.21 billion (5.1%)
6. Netherlands: $2.18 billion (4.98%)
7. Italy: $2.17 billion (4.96%)
8. Hong Kong: $1.99 billion (4.56%)
9. Vietnam: $1.98 billion (4.54%)
10. United Kingdom: $1.4 billion (3.2%)
11. France: $1.3 billion (3.1%)
12. Russia: $1.2 billion (2.83%)
13. Egypt: $1.04 billion (2.37%)
14. Chile: $1.02 billion (2.33%)
15. Taiwan: $857.4 million (1.96%)

By value, the listed 15 countries purchased 70.7% of all beef imports in 2017 regardless if fresh, chilled or frozen. Within parenthesis is the percentage of overall beef shipments.

Among the above countries, the fastest-growing beef importers since 2013 were: Vietnam (up 3,286%), China (up 141.3%), South Korea (up 62.2%) and United States (up 41.5%).

Those countries that posted declines in their imported beef purchases were led by: Russia (down -57%), France (down -29%), Italy (down -18.4%) and United Kingdom (down -7.3%).

Below are the 15 countries that imported the highest dollar value worth of fresh or chilled beef during 2017. Purchases for all fresh or chilled beef importers increased in value by 6.5% since 2013 and rose 7.4% from 2016 to 2017.

1. United States: US$2.8 billion (12.7% of imported fresh/chilled beef)
2. Japan: $1.93 billion (8.7%)
3. Germany: $1.9 billion (8.6%)
4. Italy: $1.88 billion (8.5%)
5. Netherlands: $1.86 billion (8.4%)
6. United Kingdom: $1.14 billion (5.1%)
7. France: $1.05 billion (4.8%)
8. Chile: $905.3 million (4.1%)
9. Mexico: $739.4 million (3.4%)
10. South Korea: $719.9 million (3.3%)
11. Spain: $630.6 million (2.9%)
12. Canada: $595.2 million (2.7%)
13. Denmark: $484.1 million (2.2%)
14. Portugal: $466.2 million (2.11%)
15. Greece: $456.6 million (2.07%)

By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 79.6% of fresh or chilled beef imports in 2017.

Among the above countries, the fastest-growing fresh or chilled beef importers since 2013 were: South Korea (up 118.3%), United States (up 75.5%), Japan (up 32.6%) and Netherlands (up 14.8%).

Those countries that posted declines in their imported fresh or chilled beef purchases were led by: Canada (down -36.2%), France (down -30.9%), Italy (down -19.9%) and Mexico (down -14.5%).

Below are the 15 countries that imported the highest dollar value worth of frozen beef during 2017. Purchases for all frozen beef importers increased in value by 15.1% since 2013 and appreciated 19% from 2016 to 2017.

1. China: US$3 billion (13.8% of imported frozen beef)
2. United States: $2.2 billion (10.3%)
3. Vietnam: $2 billion (9.1%)
4. Hong Kong: $1.8 billion (8.5%)
5. South Korea: $1.5 billion (7.1%)
6. Japan: $1.2 billion (5.5%)
7. Egypt: $1 billion (4.8%)
8. Russia: $891.9 million (4.1%)
9. Iran: $610.2 million (2.8%)
10. Taiwan: $540.2 million (2.5%)
11. Malaysia: $500.5 million (2.3%)
12. Israel: $452 million (2.1%)
13. Indonesia: $403.3 million (1.9%)
14. Philippines: $387.6 million (1.8%)
15. Germany: $318.3 million (1.5%)

By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 78.2% of frozen beef imports in 2017.

Among the above countries, the fastest-growing frozen beef importers since 2013 were: Vietnam (up 3,694%), China (up 148.7%), Indonesia (up 112.9%) and Philippines (up 64.6%).

Three countries posted declines in their imported frozen beef purchases namely Russia (down -63.6%), Japan (down -6.4%) and Israel (down -5.3%).

Beef Import/Export Companies

According to global trading platform Alibaba, the following companies participate in the international trade of beef or beef-related products. Shown within parenthesis is the home-country location for each business.

• AA Seafoods (Pakistan)
• Afro Asia for Import and Export (Sudan)
• Al-Zoya Overseas Private Limited (India)
• Carmelita Export-Import Limited (Ireland)
• Manka Import and Export Pty Ltd (South Africa)
• MBI Import and Export Pty Ltd (Belgium)
• NCC Import Export Company Limited (Vietnam)
• PFTAGG Export Company Pty Ltd (Australia)
• RAB Import Export (United States)
• Shanghai Hansen Global Supply (China)