Platts proposes to expand protein coverage in China, amend time stamp for Australia beef June 1

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, proposes to launch weekly price assessments for front forequarter eight cuts beef CFR China and head-on, shell-on shrimp CFR China, effective June 1.

China is the world's largest beef importer, importing 3.8 million metric tons in 2025. About 27% of the country's total beef imports consist of front forequarter eight cuts, which is also considered the benchmark for frozen beef in the Chinese market.

China is also the world's largest importer of frozen shrimp, having imported 901,563 mt in 2025. According to data from the General Administration of Customs of China, 97% of China's frozen shrimp imports are shell-on shrimp, including both HOSO and headless, shell-on, while HOSO is considered the benchmark for frozen shrimp.

The proposed assessments would enhance Platts protein coverage in Asia-Pacific, while complementing its existing "field-to-fork" coverage of agriculture markets, and improve transparency in the global animal proteins market.

The specifications of the new price assessments and time stamp amendment would be as follows:

1. Platts FFQ 8 Beef CFR China

Quality: Front forequarter, eight-cut, deboned, boxed and frozen. The front forequarter is defined as the natural proportion plus/minus 10% of the following cuts: chuck ribs, chuck roll, chuck tender, neck, oyster blade, shoulder blade, brisket and shin.

Quantity: Assessment reflects one 40-foot refrigerated container load of 25-27 mt net weight.

Basis and location: CFR Shanghai port, terminal handling charges excluded

Timing: Assessment reflects product to be shipped 30-60 days from date of publication.

Payment terms: Cash against documents

Frequency: Weekly, every Friday

Unit of Measurement: US dollars per mt

2. Platts HOSO Shrimp CFR China

Quality: Farm-raised L. Vannamei shrimp, head-on, shell-on, block frozen, 31-40 count/kilogram.

Quantity: Assessment reflects product packed in boxes of 1.4-1.8 kg in a minimum of one 40-foot refrigerated container of 18-23 mt net weight.

Basis and Location: CFR Tianjin port, terminal handling charges excluded

Timing: Assessment reflects product to be shipped 15-30 days from the date of publication.

Payment terms: Cash against documents

Frequency: Weekly, every Friday

Unit of Measurement: US dollars per mt

3. Platts 90CL FCA Australia

To maintain alignment with the new price assessments, Platts also proposes changing the market on close for the FCA Australia 90CL beef daily price assessmentfrom Singapore 4:30 pm to Penang, Malaysia, 4:30 pm, with no immediate impact other than updating the publishing calendar.

The assessments would be based on bids, offers, trades and market activity reported to Platts until market close on Friday at 4:30 pm Penang, Malaysia time, and would reflect the prevailing market value at the time of close.

All assessments will follow the Platts Penang publishing calendar. The Platts holiday calendar is available at https://www.spglobal.com/energy/en/pricing-benchmarks/our-methodology/holiday.

Please submit any feedback, comments or questions about this proposal to Platts_AgricultureandFood@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com by April 16, 2026.

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.