Taiwan Lifts Ban on Canadian Beef

CANADA - Just over a week after Mexico lifted its remaining import restrictions on Canadian beef, Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare lifted its temporary ban on Canadian beef. The announcement came Friday, July 8, reports Sarah Mikesell.
calendar icon 11 July 2016
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The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) said they welcome news that Canadian beef will once again be flowing to Taiwan. 

CCA President Dan Darling said the resumption of trade in Taiwan, along with the full restoration of trade with Mexico last week, is great news for beef producers.

“When the border is open, Taiwan is usually one of our top 10 export markets for Canadian beef,” he said. “All of these market expansions are important; every gain in market access supports competition for Canadian beef.”

The decision by Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare will allow importation of boneless and bone-in beef and other specified meat products from Canadian cattle under 30 months of age (UTM). Taiwan had imposed a temporary suspension of Canadian beef imports in February 2015, following Canada’s last case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) earlier that month.

Currently, 95 per cent of Taiwan’s beef is imported, giving Canadian beef a large opportunity to be competitive and work towards becoming a leading player in the beef market. In 2014, Canada exported 1,776 tonnes of Canadian beef worth $13 million to Taiwan, makin git Canada's seventh largest export market.

According to the CCA, once trade resumes, Canadian beef exporters anticipate shipments could reach the $10 million per year range in the short term, and as much as $15 million annually within five years.

Rob Meijer, President of Canada Beef, said during the market disruption, Canada Beef kept a strong office presence in Taipei, maintaining relationships with key partners and supporting market development initiatives in emerging markets such as Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines.

“The focus of our brand efforts continues to be high-end steakhouses, foodservice and hotel restaurants. With regained access, we have the ability to deliver supplies of Canadian beef to our target customers and further increase brand loyalty, demand and overall value for our product,” added Meijer.

 

Sarah Mikesell, Senior Editor

Sarah Mikesell, Senior Editor

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