For many years
Japan has been an important importer of Canadian Beef. Prior to
2003 (when the border was closed due to BSE) Canada exported
approximately 25,000 tonnes of beef to Japan.
As of December 2005 access to the Japanese market has been regained.
Trade is limited to exports of beef from cattle under 21 months
of age. The return of beef from North America should
reduce retail prices for beef in Japan which have increased
considerably in the last couple of years. As of December 2009,
Canada increased exports to Japan by 82.6% with a total exported
volume of 10,267 tonnes.
Prior to BSE, South
Korea imported approximately 15,000 tonnes of Canadian Beef.
At present beef
imports (from all countries) in South Korea are increasing with
2005 levels at approximately 198,000 tonnes. This level
represents an over 20% increase relative to 2004.
Canadian Beef Exports
in 2009 are estimated to approach 11,000 metric tonnes, a
substantial increase relative to previous years.
China's GDP growth
and the strong economic data indicates future
household expenditures are likely to increase, a positive
indicator for purchases of products such as beef.
Prior to the
closure of the border in 2003, a wide variety of Canadian beef
products were sold to Taiwan.
The exported volume
of Canadian beef increased by 81.6% in 2009 versus 2008, even
though Taiwan is open for boneless beef from cattle under 30
months of age. The total volume exported in 2009 totaled 23,807
tonnes