Rude New Year shock to beef producers

China has delivered a rude New Year's shock to Australia's beef producers, with the announcement of new quotas on beef imports.

China's Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday announced a strict new quota of beef imports for the year ahead, with Australia's share being 205,000 tonnes, which is below the 2016,000 tonnes shipped to China in previous years.

The new limits are reportedly aimed at shielding China's domestic cattle industry.

The decision is a blow to the beef industry which in November was celebrating the lifting of the 10 per cent tariff on beef exports to the United States.

Agriculture Minister and Tasmanian Federal MP Julie Collins said that she held "serious concerns" with the announcement.

"The Albanese government is working closely with the Australian beef industry to determine the full implications of this measure", she said.

It is unclear at this stage what, if any, impact the new quotas will have on Tasmanian beef exports and prices.