Abstract
In China, the demand for beef has rapidly expanded in recent years due to increasing income according to the economic growth, the prevalence of Western lifestyle and the diversification of eating habits. However, the increase in beef production is involved in the emerging issues in terms of the food crisis since a large amount of cereals are necessary for beef cattle production. This study analyzed the present conditions of meat production in modern China based on statistics, especially focusing on beef. As a result, it was found that there was a high correlation of r=0.996 between GDP and beef production. Furthermore, this study also analyzed tastes for meat and tendencies of meat consumption in modern China by questionnaire. As a result of the questionnaire conducted in Beijing, Wuhan and Chifeng, tastes for meat and tendencies of meat consumption were different in these three cities, reflecting the local life, climate, culture and history. In addition, it was found that foreign food culture was prevailing the most in Beijing, the capital of China. It should be noted that the demand for beef in China will increase since most of the respondents showed willingness to increase beef consumption while beef, which is relatively expensive, was still not recognized as daily food. As for Shimofuri beef, which is well-known as high quality marbled one in Japan, the respondents who were "willing to eat Shimofuri beef" were a little more than those who were "not willing to eat Shimofuri beef" in these three cities. It is necessary that beef production systems suitable for China should be established since the increase in beef consumption in highly populated China would have a great influence on the world market of cereals.
