Wedoany.com Report-Jul. 29, The market share of China’s domestically developed Huaxi cattle breed has surpassed 20%, according to a report by Xinhua News Agency, citing data from the 6th National Breeding Bull Auction held in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The event highlighted advancements in China’s beef cattle breeding industry and fostered collaboration among key stakeholders.

A worker feeds cattle at a breeding base in Du'an Yao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Zhang Junmin, director of the Institute of Animal Science at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, stated: “After 43 years of unremitting efforts, the institute has developed China’s first internationally competitive new beef cattle breed called Huaxi cattle, breaking the country’s reliance on imported core breeding stock.” The Huaxi breed, known for rapid growth, high-quality meat, and adaptability, matches global standards, with mature bulls reaching up to 900 kilograms.

The auction, designed to showcase industry progress and future trends, drew participation from major beef cattle breeding farms, bull stations, and cooperatives. Of the 73 high-quality breeding bulls offered, 62 were sold, generating approximately 16.72 million yuan ($2.33 million). Huaxi cattle accounted for 49 of the sales, contributing 13.68 million yuan to the total revenue.

China’s beef consumption has grown steadily alongside its economic development, with beef production reaching 7.79 million tons in 2024, representing 8.1% of total meat output. Nearly 50% of beef cattle production now comes from scaled farms with an annual output exceeding 50 head, reflecting significant industry growth.

Zhang emphasized: “All sectors of the industry should fully leverage their strengths and advantages, strengthen collaborative innovation, improve institutional mechanisms for breeding, promotion, and application, stabilize production capacity, enhance support for breeding stock, and promote full-chain upgrading, to effectively advance the high-quality development of the beef cattle industry.”

The Huaxi cattle breed, developed over four decades, is supported by an advanced breeding database and a network of farms and bull stations across 12 provincial-level regions, with approximately 23,400 Huaxi cattle bred as of March 2025. This infrastructure supports the breed’s expansion and its role in reducing reliance on imported breeding stock.

The auction’s success underscores the growing prominence of the Huaxi breed and China’s advancements in beef cattle breeding, contributing to sustainable agricultural development and meeting rising domestic demand for high-quality beef.