Canadian beef tallow returns to China

Market access means success for Canadian producers

The Alberta government joins the beef industry in applauding a recent announcement that China will provide immediate access for Canadian beef tallow to its market. For the first time in nearly a decade, Canadian beef tallow exports to China have resumed.

Since the BSE crisis in 2003, Canada has worked to regain access into China. With its booming population, the lucrative Chinese market offers tremendous opportunities for Canada’s agriculture industry. The Canadian government’s persistence paid off, as China recently announced they will immediately allow access for Canadian beef tallow for industrial use.

“This is great news for Canada’s beef producers, processors and the beef industry,” said Evan Berger, Minister of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “Alberta is the largest cattle-producing province in the country and nearly three-quarters of all Canadian beef is processed right here in our province. We’re hopeful that this is just the first step towards regaining full market access to China, Alberta’s largest agricultural export market outside of the United States.”

After Canada gained incremental market access to Hong Kong in 2009, Canadian officials continued their efforts to export Canadian beef products into China. It was a long haul for Canada, as key federal and provincial government representatives engaged industry to meet China’s meat import requirements, while taking part in extensive trade negotiations with Chinese officials.

“Opening new markets and gaining international market access doesn’t simply happen,” says Gordon Cove, President and CEO of ALMA. “It starts with a plan and continues with the on-going efforts of many committed professionals. Congratulations to the federal government and Market Access Secretariat for their hard work to regain access to the Chinese market.”

Before the BSE crisis in 2003, Canada’s exports of beef tallow to China totaled $31 million. With China’s growing population and Canada’s ability to provide a reliable and consistent supply of high quality animal products, Canada must continue to work hard to reach, and exceed, pre-BSE levels. As China presently imports more than $400 million in beef tallow from other countries, this most recent success is very beneficial to Canadian producers.

The Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) supports beneficial market access and the need to meet consumer and key market demands - such as cattle identification - to allow Canada’s meat and livestock to become more profitable, sustainable and internationally competitive. For more information about ALMA, go to www.alma.alberta.ca.