China has begun 2026 with new restrictions on beef imports, protecting its domestic cattle industry while shifting market risk towards producers in Brazil, Australia and other major exporting countries.
In Kenya, one of the driest short-rains seasons on record has left crops failing and livestock entering the dry season in deteriorating condition.
US row-crop farmers finally have firm figures for federal bridge payments, while Argentina’s wheat growers are bringing in a record harvest — and facing the challenge of storing and selling it.
Meanwhile, Polish farmers have taken tractors onto roads across the country in an attempt to influence the proposed EU–Mercosur trade agreement before it takes effect.
Plus, the Global Market Report looks at China’s new beef quotas and the implications for cattle prices and trade around the world.
Presented by Simon Morris.
This week's stories:
Asia – China puts new limits on global beef imports
China has introduced country-specific quotas for beef imports from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Shipments exceeding a country’s annual allocation face an additional 55% tariff. Brazil and Australia enter 2026 particularly exposed, raising questions about processor demand, cattle prices and where displaced beef might be sold.
Africa – Kenya’s failed rains hit crops and livestock
Kenya’s October-to-December short rains delivered only 30–60% of normal rainfall across many areas. Crops in marginal farming counties have withered or failed to germinate, while deteriorating pasture, water supplies and livestock condition are putting pastoral businesses under increasing pressure.
North America – US farmers get firm bridge-payment rates
USDA has published payment rates for its Farmer Bridge Assistance programme. Corn growers qualify for $44.36 an acre and soybean growers $30.88. The money provides farmers and lenders with firmer numbers for spring cash-flow planning, but growers warn that emergency assistance does not solve the underlying problem of weak crop markets.
South America – Argentina brings in a record wheat crop
Argentine wheat growers are finishing an exceptional harvest, with the country’s main grain exchanges forecasting production of between 27.1 million and 27.7 million tonnes. Attention is now turning from yield to margins as farmers decide how much grain to sell, store or hedge while the huge crop puts pressure on logistics and prices.
Europe – Polish farmers mobilise against EU-Mercosur deal
Farmers demonstrated at more than 160 locations across Poland as opposition to the proposed EU–Mercosur trade agreement intensified. Cattle, poultry, sugar and arable producers fear greater competition from South American imports and are pressing for stronger safeguards before the agreement advances.
Global Market Report — China’s beef quotas
China’s new beef regime does not immediately impose a 55% tariff on every shipment. The additional duty applies once individual countries exhaust their annual allocations. That makes the speed at which Brazil, Australia and other exporters use their quotas a key market indicator.
Contributors
Simon Morris — presenter
Ananya Rao — Asia correspondent
Samuel Njoroge — Africa correspondent
Daniel Mercer — North America correspondent
María Fernández — South America correspondent
Lukas Fischer — Europe correspondent
Useful links
China: new beef import safeguards
Australia: reaction to China’s beef quotas (ABC Rural)
Kenya: short-rains failure and food security (Fews Net)
Kenya: farmers adapt to drought and heat (The Star)
United States: Farmer Bridge Assistance payments (USDA Farm Service Agency)
Argentina: record wheat harvest (Reuters)
Poland: farmers protest against EU–Mercosur agreement (Polish Radio)
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