American Sheep Industry Association leaders say the opening of the Taiwan market to American lamb products will provide long term export growth. ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick says opening that market provides an opportunity for high quality cuts of American lamb that will command a premium in Taiwan.

He says lamb had been shut out of Taiwan for more than a decade due to BSE issues in cattle that effected lamb.

Orwick says the Taiwan opening takes on even more significance given the recent sluggish pace of exports.

Last year, Taiwan imported nearly 18,000 metric tons of lamb and sheep meat products valued at more than $ 74 million.