Taiwan, the world’s fifth largest, will become the sole growth market for US cattle imports in Asia in 2026

In an environment where global beef supply is tightening and prices remain high, the United States Meat Export Federation (USMEF) reported that Taiwan is the only market in Asia to show growth in US beef imports this year. Total imports increased by 9% over the previous year, and refrigerated beef imports also increased by 7%, and it remains the fifth largest export market for US beef in the world. The China Office of the US Meat Export Association held the 3rd “2026 Ben Ben Hui” at the Regent Hotel in Taipei yesterday (30th). With the theme of “Reaching for the Top”, it lauded 102 industry partners and demonstrated the resilience of Taiwan’s market demand and supply chain.

Jihae Yang, vice president of Asia-Pacific region of the US Meat Export Association, pointed out in his speech that the global beef industry is facing many challenges such as tight supply, rising prices and market competition. Taiwan may still maintain import growth, and the consequences are difficult. This not only reflects the stability of market demand, but also highlights the efforts of Taiwan’s importing, processing, distribution and catering industry to continue expanding the market despite cost pressure.

The development of Taiwan’s US beef market depends on the entire industrial chain from origin export, import distribution, processing and cutting to retail and catering services. There are 102 award-winning units participating in this year’s “Ben Ben Hui”, including 2 exporters, 30 importers, 19 processing plants and channels, 30 chain restaurants and hotels, 21 independent restaurants and 4 third-party units. Acclaimed companies span the upstream and downstream of the supply chain, fully demonstrating the diverse applications of American beef in the Taiwan market.

The award not only recognizes the results of long-term hard work by industry players, but also highlights the important role of industry partners in promoting the market. Faced with fluctuations in raw material supply and cost, importers, distribution channels and catering operators must balance purchasing strategies, product applications and consumer demand. How to improve supply efficiency and respond flexibly to market changes through cross-link cooperation has become an important issue in continuing to expand the US beef market and maintaining industrial competitiveness.

Guests attending the conference included Cathy Yao, Director of the Agricultural Trade Office of the American Institute in Taiwan, Steve Burgoon, Deputy Leader of the Agriculture Group, and James W. Withrow, Regional Director of the USDA Animal and Plant Inspection and Quarantine Service (APHIS). They gathered with Yang Zhihui, vice president of the Asia-Pacific region of the US Meat Export Association, and Taiwanese industry partners. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the American Meat Export Association’s US headquarters. The association said that in the future, it will continue to cooperate with Taiwan’s import, distribution and catering partners to expand product application and consumer contact opportunities for American meat products, and deepen the long-term development of the Taiwan market.