ANALYSIS: January Chicken Exports Off to a Strong Start

Although it may not be immediately evident based solely on the data, chicken export movement kicked off the year with quite a bang. Despite a 3.4%, or 21.6 million pound, year-over-year (YoY) reduction in total outward tonnage, January’s closing tally of 608.7 million pounds, was enough to position seasonal export figures at the third highest level realized in three decades.

Much like the annual comparisons, the month-over-month (MoM) figures also brought with them a modest reduction of 3.4%, or 21.6 million pounds...

ANALYSIS: December Chicken Export Volume Reaches New Seasonal Altitude

Judging by the year-end numbers, chicken export movement concluded 2023 under a relatively robust backdrop, especially when considering the ongoing global trade complications related to HPAI. At 645.2 million pounds, total outbound tonnage during December not only surpassed the previous year by 7.4%, or 66.1 million pounds, but also hit a record seasonal high.

The cumulative data, however, tells a slightly different story of how the year played out. Between January and December, total export volume retreated by 4.2% when compared with the previous year...

Fine-dining Initiative Underway to Differentiate U.S. Pork in Taiwan

USMEF kicks off a new campaign to revitalize U.S. pork’s image with the trade and consumers

Following setbacks that slashed exports of U.S. pork to Taiwan in recent years, demand has rebounded in 2023. Taiwan’s zero-tolerance policy for ractopamine residues and persistent trade tensions kept ractopamine in the public eye, creating a difficult business climate as U.S. exports plunged in 2021 and 2022.

While these headwinds linger, the business climate for U.S. pork has improved as supplies from Europe and domestic producers have...

May Pork Exports Highest in Two Years; Beef Exports Below Record-Large, Year-Ago Totals

Led by another outstanding month in Mexico and robust demand for variety meat, exports of U.S. pork continued to gain momentum in May, according to data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. While well below the record-large volume and value posted in May 2022, beef exports improved from April and were the second largest (behind March) of 2023.

May pork exports reached 261,361 metric tons (mt), up 16% from a year ago, the ninth largest on record and the largest since May 2021...

US Official Visits Taiwan to Discuss US-Hosted APEC Meetings

A senior U.S. official charged with handling ties with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) bloc visited Taiwan this week for talks on his country's plans to host the grouping this year, the de facto U.S. embassy in Taipei said on Friday.

APEC is one of the few international organisations to which Chinese-claimed Taiwan belongs, since Beijing, which views the island as a Chinese province, and not a country, blocks its participation in most others.

Against the backdrop of military tension between Beijing and Taipei, past APEC summits have...

U.S. Beef Sustainability, Alternative Cuts Highlighted at Consumer Festival in Taiwan

U.S. beef held a featured role at the 2023 Vogue Picnic in Taipei, one of Taiwan’s largest outdoor events. The festival attracted an estimated 30,000, mostly young consumers. Sustainability, an issue of increasing importance among younger demographics in Taiwan, was a central message for the U.S. beef industry. Sustainability facts and information about U.S. production practices were shared with consumers and media at both industry booths and during presentations, cooking demonstrations, product samplings and interactive games.

Erich Kuss, chief of the Agricultural Section at the American Institute in Taiwan...