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USMEF says Taiwan’s appetite for US beef remains strong

After a slow start to 2021, US beef exports to Taiwan have seen substantial growth.

Joel Haggard, senior vice president for the Asia Pacific region, with the US Meat Export Federation says demand has been robust despite another spike in COVID cases and restaurant restrictions.  “Restaurants are trying to hold on with takeaway orders, boxed meal specials, and in some cases sales of raw and cooked meat,” he says.  “On the other hand, retail sales have surged.  US exports a relatively high proportion of chilled beef for the retail trade in Taiwan.”

And, he says the demand has left Taiwan retailers scrambling to secure chilled supplies of beef.

As for the demand picture for the rest of the year? “The outlook for the US beef demand for the second half of the year is optimistic,” Haggard says.  “The epidemic curve is dropping fast, the vaccination pace is accelerating, and there should be a rush back to restaurants when they reopen.”

Beef exports to Taiwan in May were up more than 40% from year-ago volume levels and 60% higher in value.