November 25, 2004

Taiwan to Allow US Beef Imports Next Year

Taiwan will resume US beef imports next year, according to the US Meat Export Federation office in Taipei.

Imports will be resumed in four stages.

The first quarter will see the resumption of boneless beef imports, the import of beef on the bone will be allowed during the second quarter, while the import of other cuts will be resumed during the third and fourth quarters.

This decision will mean that rising beef prices will begin to fall.

According to the US Meat Export Federation office in Taipei, prices of beef from Australia and New Zealand have increased by 30 percent to 40 percent compared with last year. Resumed imports of US beef will cause prices to fall, with US beef prices lower than pre-ban levels.

Following the outbreak of mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), in the US, New Zealand beef now makes up about 54 percent of Taiwan's beef imports. Australia accounts for about 45 percent, with Canada supplying the remainder.

The Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia reportedly have already allowed the resumption of US beef imports.