USMEF Board Of Directors Meeting & International Buyers Conference, May 2...

U.S. Beef Exports To Taiwan Climb In January

The U.S. exported 92 percent more beef (including variety meat) to Taiwan by volume this January than during January 2002, according to recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics. In January 2003, the U.S. exported 2,101 metric tons (mt) of U.S. beef (including variety meat) to Taiwan, compared to 1,093 mt in January 2002; U.S. beef exports to Taiwan by value increased 65 percent – soaring to a value of US $6.54 million, compared with US $3.96 million in January 2002.

Taiwan is the fifth largest market for U.S. beef exports by volume for this January, according to USDA. It ranks behind Japan, Mexico, Korea and Canada. Taiwan ranks eighth for all U.S. beef (including variety meat) exports by volume, and is on pace to overtake the Middle East region for the seventh-place ranking.

Chilled top blade, tenderloin and chuck flap remain profitable cuts preferred by Taiwanese retailers despite climbing prices, according to USMEF-Taiwan. As reported in the February 17th Export Newsline, a USDA Foreign Agricultural Services (FAS) report predicted increasing purchases of high quality U.S. beef by upscale Taiwanese restaurants would increase total U.S. beef exports in 2003. The USDA statistics for this January seem to confirm this prediction. Taiwan’s improving economy, which grew 3.1 percent in 2002, and high local pork prices are encouraging consumers to purchase more beef, according to FAS.