Changing consumer preferences helping producers

Despite the slight decline in sheep meat imports during the first six months, demand has been rising steadily in China, with a growing cross section of consumers seeing it as an alternative to chicken and pork.

"Sheep meat was always popular in the northern parts of China. But demand has now transcended to other regions also," said Michael Zhou, general manager of the supply chain division of Zhongmeilian Group, a platform that provides services to hotel and restaurant chains.

During the first six months, sheep meat imports fell 24 percent year-on-year to 130,800 tons, according to data provided by the Sheep Industry Association of China Animal Husbandry Association