When Will Beef Access To China Improve?

One of the biggest questions for the livestock industry, especially here in the west, is how much longer will U.S. beef be locked out of the China market.

U.S. Meat Export Federation Chair, Jay Theiler recently met with USDA and Office of U.S. Trade Representative officials in Washington D.C.  He said they understand why access to China is key for the U.S. beef industry.

Why Is China So Important For American Producers?

“The China market is important, not just for the actual market itself, but the fact that being a bidder in the market helps with the whole value of the carcass that those cuts that go overseas in those other Asian markets," Theiler said.  "I can tell you from being back with folks in D.C. at USTR that are engaged in these negotiations to help us with market access, the are completely dedicated. They understand the beef market. They understand our challenges. I can honestly say, even if the markets don't open automatically overnight, they are working on it day in and day out.”

USMEF Vice President for Economic Analysis Erin Borror added at this point, there's no breakthrough to talk about between the two countries.

China Adds Value To Our Products

“We still need to get that market back, including in this time in the cattle cycle, and the need to be able to export, even with relatively low supplies," Borror said.  "We've got to have that market to be able to be able to add value back to the whole industry. And we also touched on the affordability component and trying to sort of re-message the need for access to also benefit the American consumer.”

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