The Huaxi cattle breed has achieved a significant milestone in the Chinese beef market, claiming over 20 percent of market share, as reported by the Xinhua News Agency. This accomplishment is a testament to 43 years of dedicated breeding efforts aimed at bolstering China's agricultural sector.

The report emerged from the 6th National Breeding Bull Auction held in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, where the progress of local beef cattle breeding was showcased. The Huaxi breed's rise reflects the country's ongoing commitment to developing competitive agricultural practices.

Zhang Junmin, director of the Institute of Animal Science at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, highlighted that the development of Huaxi cattle has allowed China to reduce its dependence on imported breeding stock, signifying a crucial advancement in the domestic cattle breeding industry.

The auction served as a platform for various stakeholders, including core breeding farms and cooperatives, to demonstrate their achievements. Out of 73 high-quality breeding bulls presented, 62 were sold, yielding an impressive auction total of approximately 16.72 million yuan, or about 2.33 million dollars. Notably, 49 Huaxi cattle bulls accounted for around 13.68 million yuan of this revenue.

As China's economy continues its upward trajectory, beef consumption has also seen a steady increase, underscoring the significant progress within the beef cattle sector. Reports indicate that China's beef production reached 7.79 million tons in 2024, representing 8.1 percent of total meat production.

Furthermore, the industry is witnessing a shift toward larger-scale farming, with nearly half of beef cattle produced in scaled farms exceeding an annual output of 50 head. This transformation indicates a growing trend in the optimization of beef cattle production.

At the auction, Zhang called for a collaborative approach among industry players to harness their strengths, improve breeding mechanisms, and ensure stable production capacity. He emphasized the need for enhanced support for breeding stock and a comprehensive upgrading of the beef cattle supply chain.

The Huaxi breed, which has been fine-tuned over four decades, is celebrated for its rapid growth, high-quality meat, and adaptability. Performance metrics of this breed are now comparable to international standards, with mature bulls potentially weighing up to 900 kilograms.

Currently, there are approximately 23,400 Huaxi cattle bred across 12 provincial-level regions in China. This effort is backed by a sophisticated breeding database and a network of breeding farms and bull stations, as reported by Xinhua in March.

In summary, the impressive growth of Huaxi cattle in the Chinese beef market not only reflects the dedication within the domestic agricultural sector but also paves the way for continued advancements and innovations to meet evolving consumer demands.