While Japan and South Korea are the main markets for U.S. beef in Asia, don’t discount the importance of other countries, like Taiwan.

Beef Magazine
Date: May 10, 2018
By: U.S. Meat Export Federation  

Despite having a population of just 23 million, Taiwan consistently ranks as one of the leading destinations for U.S. beef. In 2017, Taiwan was the U.S. beef industry’s sixth-largest value market, with exports reaching a record $409.7 million.

It is an especially strong market for chilled (never frozen) beef cuts, with Taiwan’s imports of chilled U.S. beef reaching $238 million last year on a volume of 26,054 metric tons (mt). The U.S. captured 72% of Taiwan’s chilled beef market in 2017 – the highest share of any Asian destination – and market share continues to increase this year.

Taiwan’s imports of U.S. beef are off to a blistering start in 2018, with first quarter volume running 20% ahead of last year’s pace at 13,018 mt and value increasing 26% to $126.4 million. Chilled imports fared even better – up 25% in volume (5,712 mt) and 31% in value ($74 million). The U.S. is the largest overall supplier of beef to Taiwan with 45% market share. U.S. beef increasingly dominates chilled imports, with chilled share reaching 74% in the first quarter of 2018.    [FULL  STORY]