Taiwan reopened its market to U.S. lamb earlier this year and Japanese regulators are also making progress on a possible reopening of their market to U.S. product in the near future. The markets had been closed due to scrapie concerns. American Sheep Industry Association Executive Director Peter Orwick says Taiwan has been a good customer buying both U.S. lamb and beef.

He says there’s also a good chance Japan will be re-opening the market to U.S. lamb yet this year.

Orwick says there are always more market opportunities for the highest end product but it’s taken close to 15 years to get Japan to agree to possibly lift their ban.

Orwick says the Japanese market opening is not dependent on the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement. However, if that’s approved it would help lower tariffs.