USMEF Conducts Cutting Workshops in Taiwan Hypermarkets

USMEF Conducts Cutting Workshops in Taiwan Hypermarkets

USMEF cutting workshops improve retail staff’s knowledge and skills, provide an excellent opportunity to deliver information on the quality and consistency of U.S. beef and offer constructive advice on presentation and merchandising. The staff then conveys that information to consumers, addresses questions about product quality or safety and generates higher sales of U.S. beef.

These efforts have an added significance in Taiwan, where expanded access for U.S. beef has become a volatile and controversial issue. With support from the Beef Checkoff Program, USMEF recently partnered with the A-Mart hypermarket chain in a series of 14 cutting workshops at outlets throughout Taiwan.

USMEF conducts one of 14 cutting workshops at an A-Mart in Taiwan

USMEF invited Chou Chun-Liang, the former training supervisor of a well-known, Japanese-style retail chain, to share his meat-cutting expertise. Chou explained the attributes of each U.S. beef cut and offered tips for merchandising as well as one-on-one instruction in meat handling methods and procedures.

“Mr. Chou provided clear, advanced and much-needed information about U.S. beef for our meat department staff,” said Bobby Lai, meat purchaser for A-Mart. “The beef cutting techniques and knowledge he shared will definitely encourage U.S. beef sales and assist us in our beef promotions.”

Lai acknowledged that A-Mart’s sales of U.S. beef were hit by the controversy over U.S. beef access, but have shown signs of rebounding as the negative media coverage subsides. He added that A-Mart continues to conduct its regular promotions for U.S. beef.

After struggling in the early part of the year, beef plus beef variety meat exports to Taiwan have been on the rise – reaching $98.5 million in value through the first three quarters of 2009. This is just one percent off the record pace established in 2008.

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The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.

For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.

USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law.

USMEF Conducts Cutting Workshops in Taiwan Hypermarkets

USMEF cutting workshops improve retail staff’s knowledge and skills, provide an excellent opportunity to deliver information on the quality and consistency of U.S. beef and offer constructive advice on presentation and merchandising. The staff then conveys that information to consumers, addresses questions about product quality or safety and generates higher sales of U.S. beef.

These efforts have an added significance in Taiwan, where expanded access for U.S. beef has become a volatile and controversial issue. With support from the Beef Checkoff Program, USMEF recently partnered with the A-Mart hypermarket chain in a series of 14 cutting workshops at outlets throughout Taiwan.

USMEF conducts one of 14 cutting workshops at an A-Mart in Taiwan

USMEF invited Chou Chun-Liang, the former training supervisor of a well-known, Japanese-style retail chain, to share his meat-cutting expertise. Chou explained the attributes of each U.S. beef cut and offered tips for merchandising as well as one-on-one instruction in meat handling methods and procedures.

“Mr. Chou provided clear, advanced and much-needed information about U.S. beef for our meat department staff,” said Bobby Lai, meat purchaser for A-Mart. “The beef cutting techniques and knowledge he shared will definitely encourage U.S. beef sales and assist us in our beef promotions.”

Lai acknowledged that A-Mart’s sales of U.S. beef were hit by the controversy over U.S. beef access, but have shown signs of rebounding as the negative media coverage subsides. He added that A-Mart continues to conduct its regular promotions for U.S. beef.

After struggling in the early part of the year, beef plus beef variety meat exports to Taiwan have been on the rise – reaching $98.5 million in value through the first three quarters of 2009. This is just one percent off the record pace established in 2008.

# # #

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.

For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.

USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law.