U.S. beef has reached an 80% share of Taiwan’s chilled beef import market

With foodservice restrictions finally easing in Taiwan, importers, distributors, and end-users are now facing a new challenge — rising U.S. beef prices.

With funding from the Beef Checkoff Program, USMEF recently gathered beef importers, restaurant operators, retailers and social media influencers at a New Product Show and Gratitude Luncheon to thank them for their loyalty to U.S. beef through the pandemic, to talk about rising prices and to offer new ideas for selling high-quality U.S. beef to their customers.

The sirloin tip was prepared in popular street food dishes to demonstrate its potential as a high-value, alternative U.S. beef cut in 2022 (see photo).

Getting the “right cut in the right market at the right time” has long been a hallmark of USMEF’s international market development efforts and nowhere is this tenet more fitting than in Taiwan, where USMEF strategically features a new, high-value alternative cut every year.

“At the luncheon we informed the audience that we will feature the sirloin tip in 2022,” said Davis Wu, USMEF Taiwan director. “We explained and illustrated how this cut can serve as a less expensive alternative in Taiwanese noodle dishes. We don’t want our customers to shift to other proteins.”

Interest was very high with more than 180 in attendance, including American Institute in Taiwan officials, U.S. suppliers, importers, retailers, restaurant operators and media.

USMEF collaborated with the head chef of the Regent Taipei to introduce usage of the sirloin tip in popular street foods. USMEF also provided case displays and promoted usage of vacuum skin packaging as a way to improve presentation and distinguish high-quality U.S. beef.

“We have been gaining market share and we do not want rising prices to slow our momentum,” says Wu. “Taiwanese industry recognizes the potential of U.S. beef with consumers and is very receptive to new ideas.”

Source: USMEF