December 15, 2015

US pork exporters wooing back Taiwan

US pork exports to Taiwan in the 10 months through October rose almost 40% from last year to 18,091 metric tonnes and 10% in terms of value to $35.5 million.

The increases may be hefty, but still, they are significantly lower than in 2009, when exports peaked at 42,689 metric tonnes valued at $66.6 million.

In comparison, imports from the European Union during the 10-month period increased by 49% to 47,961 metric tonnes, from Canada by 84% to 36,757 metric tonnes.

With import demand remaining strong, the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is trying to regain the US' former market share.

Push for acceptance

In a push to regain US pork acceptance in Taiwan, the USMEF recently conducted a seminar in Taichung city in central Taiwan. Davis Wu, Taiwan director for the USMEF, said the seminar was meant to address the needs and concerns of key Taiwanese pork processors and to regain their loyalty and confidence in US pork.

Wu added that Taiwanese importers continued to take a conservative approach with US pork, even as the country's processing sector's demand for pork raw materials grows.

US pork exports continue to face hurdles including Taiwan's zero-tolerance policy on ractopamine residues. Ractopamine is a feed additive that promotes leanness in meat of food animals.

Taiwan lifted its ban on ractopamine in beef products in 2012, but the US has urged the island nation to establish a maximum residue level for ractopamine in pork products.

"Because ractopamine is a confusing issue for Taiwan's pork processors, they want more information to convey to their customers to regain their loyalty and confidence in US pork", Wu said.