USMEF Audio: Despite Recent Setback, Taiwan Beef Market Remains Active, Promising...

Jan. 14, 2010 - While negative news reports regarding U.S. beef continue to surface in Taiwan, the business outlook in the market is actually very positive. Joel Haggard, who serves as U.S. Meat Export Federation senior vice president for the Asia Pacific region, says overall interest and demand has remained strong and consumer reaction has not been as negative as some in the industry had feared.

Audio Clip #1:  :25        Out take: (…public hubbub about U.S. beef.)

Haggard says the negative publicity surrounding Taiwan’s ban on imports of U.S. ground beef and offal has led to a temporary slump in beef sales, but he expects a quick rebound as news coverage of the issue subsides.

Audio Clip #2:  :11        Out take: (…will return quickly.)

Haggard also discussed the outlook for bone-in cuts of U.S. beef, which are now allowed in Taiwan (from cattle under 30 months of age) for the first time since 2003. The first shipments of bone-in products are expected to arrive in Taiwan on Jan. 15, and Haggard sees this as a promising development for the Taiwan market.

Audio Clip #3:  :36        Out take: (…category of beef items.)

# # #

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.

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.