DENVER – As 2010 comes to a close, the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) said it was pleased to hear about the progress made during the recent session of the US-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) on several significant trade issues. USMEF is particularly pleased with the announcement that technical discussions on re-opening the Chinese market to US beef will resume early in 2011.

When China’s market closed to US beef in 2003, that country was just beginning to show its potential as a major destination for US beef, USMEF lamented. China's economy has grown tremendously since that time and so have the opportunities for high-quality beef products.


“If the US regains access to the Chinese market early next year, we estimate that 2011 beef exports will be in the range of $200 million,” USMEF said in a statement. “This would rank China among the top 10 global markets for US beef, with tremendous potential for future growth.

USMEF is appreciative of the efforts put forth by all US agencies on this matter, and we look forward to working closely with the US government and other beef industry groups to secure the prompt resumption of exports to this critical market.” USMEF concluded.