U.S. Beef And Pork Attract Buyers At Taipei International Food Show
US - Impossible to miss, a giant illuminated cow and sacks of corn stood tall at the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) booth at the 2006 Taipei International Food Show.
27 June 2006
3 minute read
USMEF was one of more than 600 regional and international exhibitors at the show, and drew the attention of thousands of visitors by giving out samples and educational materials about U.S. meat while demonstrating the flavor advantage of corn-fed beef.
Buyers from supermarkets, hotels and restaurant chains gathered at the USMEF booth to sample rib eye steaks and boneless short ribs prepared by Chef Chen Chun-Shen of the Grand Formosa Regent Hotel. The hotel recently held a successful 37-day U.S. beef promotion that sold out of more than 3,000 servings of roast beef in the first 28 days.
Seven U.S. packers exhibited U.S. beef, pork and processed pork products, providing cooked meat samples for visitors to taste.
“Chinese sausage, which is what Taiwanese consumers are used to eating, is usually sweet and dry, requiring a lot of seasoning, unlike U.S. sausage, which is juicy and fresh,“ said USMEF Taiwan Director Davis Wu.
The show was open to consumers on the last two days, and USMEF attracted their attention by holding a U.S. beef and sausage auction. The beef and sausage was provided by participating U.S. packers and was well received by bidding consumers, who recognized its high quality.
Attending the show generated positive awareness about the high quality, safety and taste of U.S. red meat products.
Shipments of U.S. beef started arriving in Taiwan in late February. They were the first since June 2005, when Taiwan banned U.S. beef after the announcement of a second case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the United States.
U.S. beef and beef variety meat exports to Taiwan through the first four months of this year are at 5,836 metric tons (mt) in volume and $2.89 million in value while U.S. pork and pork variety meat exports increased to 2,153 mt valued at $312,700, a 25 percent increase over the same period last year.
The U.S. Meat Export Federation is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, lamb, corn, sorghum and soybean checkoff programs.
Source: US Meat Export Federation - 27th June 2006
