TAIPEI, Taiwan (March 24, 2006) – An array of international cuisines tease...

TAIPEI, Taiwan (March 24, 2006) – An array of international cuisines teased the taste buds of guests at a U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) reception here today. Dishes varied in flavor and aroma, but had one welcome element among them: U.S. beef.

The U.S. Beef Reception is part of the many activities USMEF is conducting to welcome back U.S. beef to Taiwan. The reception, sponsored by the Texas Beef Council, was held outside in the beautiful gardens at the Agora Garden Hotel in Taipei for more than 150 guests from the food industry in Taiwan.

The versatility of U.S. beef was highlighted as it was featured in Texas-style dishes, along with Chinese hot pot, Taiwanese stir-fry and Japanese barbecue.

“We wanted to remind the industry of the variety of ways to prepare U.S. beef using different cuts and cooking methods,” said Davis Wu, USMEF Taiwan director. “The rib-eyes prepared Texas-style provided an original taste of U.S. beef, while the other regional preparations demonstrated how popular local dishes can be enhanced by U.S. beef.”

Shipments of U.S. beef started arriving in Taiwan a month ago. They were the first since June, when Taiwan banned U.S. beef after the announcement of a second case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States.

“The reception is a great way for the food industry, USDA officials, Taiwanese government officials and media to celebrate U.S. beef’s return to Taiwan,” Wu said. “It is also an opportunity for the U.S. beef industry to demonstrate its continued commitment to this market, and to thank those who have showed support and patience in re-establishing U.S. beef in Taiwan.”

Scott Sindelar, chief of agricultural affairs section of the American Institute of Taiwan, and Joel Haggard, USMEF vice president, Asia Pacific, opened the reception and welcomed guests.

Following their remarks, a cattle-shaped lantern was lit to symbolize the bright future that lies ahead for U.S. beef in Taiwan. Guests were also given candles to light and place on stage in hopes their businesses will prosper with U.S. beef.

Western casual dress and live entertainment helped guests relax and mingle during the reception as some made new business contacts and spoke to USMEF about conducting U.S. beef promotions. Lead singer Huan-Chi Hsaio performed American, Taiwanese, Chinese and Japanese songs, adding to the international flavor of the festive event.

U.S. beef is becoming widely available at retail stores. Costco’s flagship Neihu store in Taipei, one of the top single sales outlets for U.S. beef in all of Asia, has fully restocked its beef cases with a wide variety of U.S. beef including steak cuts, top blade muscle, rib finger, heel muscle and boneless short ribs. 

USMEF plans to heavily feature boneless short ribs this summer, providing assistance to traders who have made aggressive purchases in advance of the South Korean market reopening.

Concern over the supply situation of boneless short ribs has intensified as rumors have circulated about a possible delay in South Korea reopening its market to U.S. beef following the March 13 announcement of a third case of BSE in the United States.

Low prices in the Taiwanese market are creating an odd juxtaposition between boneless and bone-in short ribs. Australian grain-fed bone-in short ribs selling for approximately $11.75 per pound at Costco are positioned alongside U.S. boneless short ribs selling for $6.25 per pound.

Low prices for boneless short ribs, considered a delicacy by Asian consumers and a profit-earner for traders due to its versatility, also have been warmly welcomed by restaurants. 

"I would buy container loads of U.S. boneless short ribs if I could store them," said Moxie Huang, manager of Hutong Yakiniku Dining Bar in Taipei.

Taiwan initially banned U.S. beef in December 2003 after the United States discovered its first case of BSE. At that time, Taiwan was in the list of top 10 export markets for U.S. beef and beef variety meat with 19,225 metric tons (mt) valued at $76.5 million going to Taiwan.

Taiwan reopened to U.S. beef last April, but shut down again in late June. During that time, U.S. beef and beef variety meat to Taiwan totaled 7,764 mt valued at $4.2 million. Taiwan accepts boneless U.S. beef from cattle under 30 months of age processed at plants approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation 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, lamb, corn, sorghum and soybean checkoff programs.

– USMEF –