The first shipment of Nebraska boxed beef headed to China this week. That market had been closed for 13 years, but following the setting and meeting of various protocols, U.S. beef is now clear for export. Nebraska Cattlemen Association President Troy Stowater says it’s an exciting development for his industry as the Chinese market should eventually prove to be a very lucrative one.

He says the opening of the Chinese market comes at a good time for the U.S. cattle industry.

China is requiring U.S. beef imports be less than 30 months of age, free of implants and beta agonists and traceable to U.S., Canadian or Mexican origin. Stowater says the U.S. has met other countries protocols for exports and these specifications will be met by U.S. beef processors.

The Chinese market for U.S. beef is an estimated at $2.6 billion.