Below are the 15 countries that imported the highest dollar value worth of beef during 2018, regardless of whether fresh, chilled or frozen.

1. United States: US$5.3 billion (10.9% of total beef imports)
2. China: $4.8 billion (9.9%)
3. Japan: $3.5 billion (7.2%)
4. South Korea: $2.7 billion (5.6%)
5. Italy: $2.29 billion (4.7%)
6. Netherlands: $2.26 billion (4.7%)
7. Hong Kong: $2.26 billion (4.7%)
8. Germany: $2.2 billion (4.5%)
9. Vietnam: $2 billion (4.2%)
10. United Kingdom: $1.53 billion (3.2%)
11. France: $1.47 billion (3%)
12. Russia: $1.3 billion (2.6%)
13. Egypt: $1.2 billion (2.4%)
14. Chile: $1.1 billion (2.2%)
15. Taiwan: $974.9 million (2%)

The listed 15 countries shipped 71.8% of all beef imported in 2018.

Among the above countries, the fastest-growing beef importers since 2014 were: Vietnam (up 2,084%), China (up 272.1%), South Korea (up 60.9%) and Taiwan (up 41.4%).

Those countries that posted declines in their imported beef purchases were led by: Russia (down -54%), France (down -16%), Italy (down -13.2%) and United Kingdom (down -5.4%).

Below are the 15 countries that imported the highest dollar value worth of fresh or chilled beef during 2018. Purchases for all fresh or chilled beef importers totaled $23.8 billion, increasing in cost by 7.1% since 2014 and rose 6.9% from 2017 to 2018.

1. United States: US$3.1 billion (12.9% of imported fresh or chilled beef)
2. Japan: $2.1 billion (8.9%)
3. Italy: $2 billion (8.2%)
4. Netherlands: $1.93 billion (8.1%)
5. Germany: $1.91 billion (8%)
6. United Kingdom: $1.2 billion (5%)
7. France: $1.1 billion (4.7%)
8. Chile: $965.2 million (4.1%)
9. South Korea: $865.4 million (3.6%)
10. Mexico: $802.4 million (3.4%)
11. Spain: $641.7 million (2.7%)
12. Portugal: $561.5 million (2.4%)
13. Canada: $560.1 million (2.4%)
14. Greece: $500.5 million (2.1%)
15. Denmark: $495.8 million (2.1%)

By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 78.4% of fresh or chilled beef imported in 2018.

Among the above countries, the fastest-growing fresh or chilled beef importers since 2014 were: South Korea (up 115.4%), Japan (up 31.8%), United States (up 27%) and Portugal (up 18.6%).

Those countries that posted declines in their imported fresh or chilled beef purchases were led by: Canada (down -27.6%), France (down -20.7%), Italy (down -16.8%) and Denmark (down -14.1%).

Below are the 15 countries that imported the highest dollar value worth of frozen beef during 2018. Purchases for all frozen beef importers totaled $24.7 billion, increasing in cost by 16% since 2014 and accelerated 23.7% from 2017 to 2018.

1. China: US$4.7 billion (18.9% of total imported frozen beef)
2. United States: $2.2 billion (9%)
3. Hong Kong: $2.1 billion (8.5%)
4. Vietnam: $2 billion (8.1%)
5. South Korea: $1.8 billion (7.4%)
6. Japan: $1.4 billion (5.5%)
7. Egypt: $1.2 billion (4.7%)
8. Russia: $892.8 million (3.6%)
9. Taiwan: $579.4 million (2.3%)
10. Indonesia: $565.1 million (2.3%)
11. Malaysia: $498.2 million (2%)
12. Philippines: $436.4 million (1.8%)
13. Israel: $396.8 million (1.6%)
14. United Kingdom: $353.6 million (1.4%)
15. Iran: $348.6 million (1.4%)

By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 78.6% of frozen beef imported in 2018.

Among the above countries, the fastest-growing frozen beef importers since 2013 were: Vietnam (up 2,272%), China (up 267.4%), Indonesia (up 77.4%) and South Korea (up 43.6%).

Four countries posted declines in their imported frozen beef purchases namely: Russia (down -60.3%), United States (down -26.6%), Egypt (down -3.8%) and Israel (down -0.1%).

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)