March 7, 2013

After a series of food quality and safety requirements met Taiwanese inspection standards, Honduran beef can now penetrate the Taiwanese market.

The government expects the opening to create 375 jobs at two certified meat processing plants in Catacamas Olancho. Opportunities are also believed to be available for the 200 livestock producers that supply the plants.

"Today we are placing the stamp to the first container that goes to Taiwan with a quantity of 48,000 pounds of beef to that market," said Minister of SAG Jacobo Regalado.

"We are pleased that the health authorities in Taiwan have certified Meat Processing Plant C and D located in Catacamas Olancho, which shows that we are working in coordination with producers and processors dedicated to this area."

Heribato Amador Salinas, chief executive officer at the National Agricultural Service explained that new export destinations will hopefully encourage domestic production to rise.

Salinas added that in 2012 Honduras exported 20 million pounds, equivalent to HNL3.8 billion (US$188 million) to the US, Mexican, Guatemalan, El Salvador and Bolovian markets.