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U.S. beef exports to China still small, but increasing

The president of the U.S Meat Export Federation, Dan Halstrom, says exports of U.S. beef to China are slowly increasing each month.

“So far the volumes have been smaller. We only have 11-hundred tons exported after three months, through September,” Halstrom says. “But we knew it was going to be slow to start because of the requirements on the cattle—hormone-free and there’s a traceability requirement. So we knew it would be slow, but the good news is, each month, the volumes are increasing slowly.”

Halstrom says the reception that U.S. beef has received in China has been “fantastic”.

“They love the quality. They’re extremely enthusiastic about it. And they’ve been willing to pay a premium,” he says. “So I think it’s going to take time, but we’re excited about the prospects for growth going forward.”

China resumed imports of U.S. beef in late June.

Brownfield’s Meghan Grebner contributed to this story.

AUDIO: Dan Halstrom