June 5, 2006

Canadian beef makes re-entry into Thailand

Thailand has allowed imports of Canadian beef and beef products from cattle under 30 months of age, the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced Saturday (Jun 3).

Although Thailand is a small market, it creates momentum as each new market opens up, said Darcy Davis, chairman of the Alberta Beef Producers, adding that the news proves that the organization is making steady progress.

Thailand's decision has given hope that larger Asian markets would soon follow in its wake, said Davis.

Canadian beef was banned by various countries in 2003 due to the first case of mad cow disease there.

Thai officials made their decision after a series of visits and technical information exchanges supplied by the Canadian government.

Davis said although the Thai market for Canadian beef is small, there is much potential for growth.

The really attractive markets would be South Korea and Taiwan, Davis said, though they make up small portions of the export market as well.

The fact that these markets prefer the portions that North Americans are not interested in makes it an attractive market, he added.

Other countries that have lifted the ban on Canadian beef include the United States, Japan, Mexico, Hong Kong, Russia and the Philippines.