VIP T-Bone Luncheon Kicks Off Bone-In Beef Availability in Taiwan
VIP T-Bone Luncheon Kicks Off Bone-In Beef Availability in Taiwan
To highlight the return of U.S. bone-in beef to Taiwan, USMEF hosted a luncheon today for key officials from the government of Taiwan and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), as well as importers and U.S. packer representatives. Guests included AIT Director William Stanton, Ministry of Economic Affairs Minister Shih Yen Shiang and representatives from Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Taiwan chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce. All enjoyed 24-ounce, dry-aged T-Bone steaks at the Sherwood Hotel in Taipei as part of USMEF’s effort to build momentum for U.S. beef in preparation for next week’s Lunar New Year festivities.
In his welcoming remarks, USMEF Senior Vice President Joel Haggard expressed the U.S. beef industry's appreciation for the restored market access for bone-in products. He noted, however, that the industry faces the challenge of convincing Taiwanese consumers about the safety of all U.S. beef products in light of the decision by Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan (LY) to ban several categories of U.S. beef. In early January, import of these products was prohibited when the LY amended Taiwan's Food Sanitation Law – an action that contravenes import conditions agreed to when the Taiwan-U.S. Beef Import Protocol was finalized in October 2009.
Guests at today’s VIP luncheon in Taiwan give a “thumbs up” to U.S. bone-in beef
Despite the recent controversy, Director Stanton expressed satisfaction that the long wait for U.S. bone-in beef had finally ended. Minister Shih commented that the steaks served - having passed through rigorous import checks - were "hygienic, safe, and good tasting.”
USMEF-Taiwan Director Davis Wu said shipments of U.S. bone-in beef have begun entering Taiwan ports, but distribution and retail sales of bone-in products such as short ribs are not likely to be widespread until late March or early April.
"Five-star hotels will be the first to commercially offer U.S. bone-in beef cuts," said Wu. “USMEF will be partnering with several hotels in the early spring in efforts to highlight the terrific quality of U.S. beef and the return of many delicious bone-in cuts that have been absent from this market for more than six years.”
While U.S. beef shipments to Taiwan have encountered no major difficulties or interruptions, USMEF recommends that exporters continue to be meticulous in all areas of preparation and documentation, as shipments are undergoing a very rigorous inspection process.
Through November 2009, U.S. beef exports to Taiwan totaled 24,216 metric tons (53.4 million pounds) valued at $125.2 million. When year-end figures are available, exports to Taiwan should easily surpass the single-year value record of $127.7 million, set 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.
VIP T-Bone Luncheon Kicks Off Bone-In Beef Availability in Taiwan
To highlight the return of U.S. bone-in beef to Taiwan, USMEF hosted a luncheon today for key officials from the government of Taiwan and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), as well as importers and U.S. packer representatives. Guests included AIT Director William Stanton, Ministry of Economic Affairs Minister Shih Yen Shiang and representatives from Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Taiwan chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce. All enjoyed 24-ounce, dry-aged T-Bone steaks at the Sherwood Hotel in Taipei as part of USMEF’s effort to build momentum for U.S. beef in preparation for next week’s Lunar New Year festivities.
In his welcoming remarks, USMEF Senior Vice President Joel Haggard expressed the U.S. beef industry's appreciation for the restored market access for bone-in products. He noted, however, that the industry faces the challenge of convincing Taiwanese consumers about the safety of all U.S. beef products in light of the decision by Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan (LY) to ban several categories of U.S. beef. In early January, import of these products was prohibited when the LY amended Taiwan's Food Sanitation Law – an action that contravenes import conditions agreed to when the Taiwan-U.S. Beef Import Protocol was finalized in October 2009.
Guests at today’s VIP luncheon in Taiwan give a “thumbs up” to U.S. bone-in beef
Despite the recent controversy, Director Stanton expressed satisfaction that the long wait for U.S. bone-in beef had finally ended. Minister Shih commented that the steaks served - having passed through rigorous import checks - were "hygienic, safe, and good tasting.”
USMEF-Taiwan Director Davis Wu said shipments of U.S. bone-in beef have begun entering Taiwan ports, but distribution and retail sales of bone-in products such as short ribs are not likely to be widespread until late March or early April.
"Five-star hotels will be the first to commercially offer U.S. bone-in beef cuts," said Wu. “USMEF will be partnering with several hotels in the early spring in efforts to highlight the terrific quality of U.S. beef and the return of many delicious bone-in cuts that have been absent from this market for more than six years.”
While U.S. beef shipments to Taiwan have encountered no major difficulties or interruptions, USMEF recommends that exporters continue to be meticulous in all areas of preparation and documentation, as shipments are undergoing a very rigorous inspection process.
Through November 2009, U.S. beef exports to Taiwan totaled 24,216 metric tons (53.4 million pounds) valued at $125.2 million. When year-end figures are available, exports to Taiwan should easily surpass the single-year value record of $127.7 million, set 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.