Queensland to promote beef to China

Queensland's agriculture minister will fly to China to promote the state's beef to the world's second-largest economy.

Bill Byrne and a delegation of 20 north Queensland leaders, including Charters Towers mayor Frank Beveridge, will meet potential importers in Guandong Province during the five-day trade mission starting on Wednesday.

"We already export $6.3 billion worth of agriculture and food products per year, but we have great potential to significantly increase this effort," Mr Beveridge said.

He said China has a rapidly growing middle class that preferred to eat fresh, high-quality produce.

Beef is Queensland's largest agricultural industry, worth $5.4 billion a year.

It is the largest beef-producing state in Australia and is the fourth-largest exporter of beef in the world.