More export opportunities in Asia for Canadian beef producers
By Canadian Packaging Staff
General Canadian beef Canadian beef exports to Taiwan exports to taiwanCanada announces greater access to Taiwanese market.
Taiwan and Canada have signed an arrangement to expand market access to include Canadian bone-in beef and other specified beef products from animals under 30 months of age (UTM). The arrangement will level the playing field for Canadian beef producers and generate export opportunities to the lucrative Taiwanese market.
Taiwan lifted its ban of Canadian boneless beef from cattle under 30 months of age in 2007, and since that time the Canadian government has been working to regain bone-in beef access.
Canadian beef will be subject to identical inspection measures that have applied to U.S. beef imports, including certification, labeling, inspection, checks and information verification.
The access to Canadian bone-in beef comes along side Taiwan’s efforts to boost trade and economic cooperation in Canada for proposed talks of a Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.
Chuck MacLean, chair of Canada Beef says: “Our industry is very well positioned to take advantage of this expanded access. The federal government has been working tirelessly to provide market access and we are ready to turn this into value for Canadian beef and veal producers.”
Canada Beef maintains a strong presence in Taiwan, with its office in Taipei. Deanna Kao, manager of operations for Canada Beef’s Taiwan office, notes that marketing will focus on the value that Canadian beef can bring to Taiwan.
“The focus of our brand efforts continues to be high-end steakhouses, foodservice and hotel restaurants. With full access, we have the ability to deliver additional supplies of Canadian beef to our target market consumer and further increase brand loyalty, demand and overall value for our product,” Kao added.
Under the arrangement signed on January 3, implementation will occur no later than 30 days from the date it was signed. This arrangement will help Canadian beef exporters expand their sales into this market, while also benefiting Taiwanese consumers who will have greater access to Canada’s safe, high-quality beef.
Says Agriculture minister Gerry Ritz, “Our government welcomes Taiwan’s science-based decision to expand market access for Canadian beef. Advancing agricultural trade in growing Asian markets like Taiwan is just one way our government is helping our agriculture exporters boost their competitiveness around the world.”
Quick Facts
- Canada currently ships boneless UTM frozen, fresh and chilled beef to Taiwan. In 2012, Canadian total exports of these beef products were valued at $1.4 million, ranking Taiwan as Canada’s 18th largest beef export market.
- Since the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) outbreak in 2003, government and industry have been working hard to reopen markets and gain full access for Canadian beef, based on science and guidelines established by the World Organization for Animal Health. In June 2007, Canada regained access to Taiwan for boneless beef derived from UTM animals.
- In 2002, the year prior to the BSE ban, Canadian beef exports to Taiwan were valued at $19.8 million, ranking Taiwan as Canada’s 5th largest export market for beef.
- In 2012, Canada exported beef to over 65 markets, for a total value of $1.2 billion.
Currently, 94 percent of Taiwan’s beef is imported, giving Canadian beef a large opportunity to be competitive and optimally a leading player in the beef market.
Adds Canadian International Trade Minister Ed Fast: “Economic growth is a key priority for our government, and that’s why we are working to create new market opportunities for the Canadian cattle and beef industries. New access creates new sources of prosperity and jobs for Canadian businesses of all sizes and their workers.”
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