March 29, 2004

Taiwan Sees High Demand For Australian Beef

Beef eaters in Taiwan are turning to Australian beef following the mad cow disease case in the United States when US beef sales fell by as much as 90%.

High quality Australian beef rib eye is selling for over NT$1,000/kg (A$40.48/kg) and is currently popular with beef lovers in Taiwan.  Australian grainfed striploin is reportedly selling for NT$5,000/kg (A$202.42/kg) and is currently favoured by many chefs.

Many high-end restaurants have started to introduce high quality Australian beef to replace US beef.  Reportedly, retail outlets are also selling Australian and NZ grainfed beef in place of US beef.

Latest Australian export figures reveal that 2,306 tonnes of beef were shipped to Taiwan in February, up 31% on the 1,754 tonnes shipped in January and just above February 2003 levels.  February shipments also show an increase in the volume of chilled beef sent to Taiwan from Australia, up 95% from the 88 tonnes shipped in February 2003. 

Australian beef accounted for 44% of the Taiwan beef import market in 2003, with the US, NZ and Canada's shares comprising 23%, 30% and 3% respectively. 

However, the US dominated the chilled sector with a 46% share.  Australia's chilled share was 19%, while NZ and Canada's share was 33% and 2% respectively.