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Phase One trade deal has helped US beef exports

US beef exports to China have seen a big boost since the signing of the Phase One trade deal.

Joel Haggard is senior vice president for the Asia Pacific with the US Meat Export Federation.  “China moved its import conditions for US product closer to what we would call international norms,” he says.  “The accepted tolerances for growth promotants allowed all US beef plants access to the markets, and they recognized USDA’s traceability capabilities.”

He says there are other factors, including limited supplies of pork and rising prices resulting from the country’s African swine fever outbreak have improved demand for competing proteins and the tight cattle supply in  Australia, which is limiting competition in the export market.

But, Haggard says, some US beef exporters are still proceeding with caution.  “There remain US beef processors who are still sitting out,” he says.  “They see high risk and uncertainty.  But we are seeing more who see the opportunities in China.  Our message has been we are here to help.  Our two offices in China are certainly entertaining many inquiries about US beef availability.  So the interest level is high.”

For the first half of the year, US Beef exports to China have skyrocketed 80 percent from the previous year in both volume and value.  And according to the latest Export Sales report from the USDA, China made its largest weekly purchase of beef on record since 1999.