September 23, 2003

Taiwan Beef Imports Up Despite Price Increase 

Despite high international beef prices and the effect of SARS in the second quarter, Taiwan's beef imports from all supplying countries are up sharply over year-ago levels, according to a release by the U.S. Meat Export Federation, USMEF.

A strong market was cited as a reason for an overall increase in beef consumption.

For the first six months of 2003, total beef imports reached 40,237 metric tons, an 18% increase over the pace of a year ago, USMEF said.

Record first half chilled beef shipments of 3,954 tons represented an increase of 39% over imports during the first six months of last year, the report said.