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American Barbecue ‘Socials’ in Taiwan Generate Strong Interest in U.S. Beef

Published: Jan 26, 2017

Recognizing an opportunity to increase sales of U.S. beef in Taiwan by attracting a younger generation of consumers, USMEF held a series of events in 2016 showcasing American-style barbecue. The campaign, which began with U.S. beef seminars focused on new cuts and culminated with “Live Your Passion, Let’s Go Party for U.S. Beef BBQ” social events at the end of the year, was funded by the Beef Checkoff Program, the Texas Beef Council and the Beef Promotion and Research Council of Texas.

Aiming to attract a young generation of consumers in Taiwan, USMEF held a series of U.S. beef events at barbecue restaurants

More than 100 restaurants and food stands in Taiwan participated in the promotion, many of them recruited by USMEF during the spring seminars.

“To say that barbecue has become a big part of the Taiwanese culture would be an understatement – barbecue restaurants from all over the world have established themselves here,” explained Alex Sun, USMEF marketing manager in Taiwan. “The barbecue culture in Taiwan is very different from other kinds of food culture in that it’s a channel for the young generation. Taiwan’s younger consumers worship celebrities and stars, especially from Japan and Korea, and the barbecue cultures from these two countries are gaining traction in the Taiwanese foodservice market. This trend has attracted American barbecue establishments, which are becoming a popular choice for young Taiwanese people.”

‘Live Your Passion, Let’s Go Party for U.S. Beef BBQ’ was the theme of the U.S. beef promotion

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Help Spread the Word

Social media played a big role in the year-long promotion. An event website and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/?????????-1728455004074873/?fref=ts) were established to share information and to attract attention. Consumers who went to participating restaurants uploaded their photos on the Facebook page to enter a drawing for prizes.

Taiwanese food bloggers were invited to interview people at the restaurants and a media luncheon brought together many different barbecue restaurant chains – an unprecedented undertaking in the Taiwanese foodservice market, Sun noted.

USMEF invited Fabio, a celebrity icon in Taiwan, to participate in a special program titled “Fabio Comes to My Home” to promote U.S. beef barbecue.

A video starring Fabio was produced and posted on Facebook and YouTube to attract foodservice operators and pique consumers’ curiosity about U.S. beef. The video shows Fabio choosing U.S. beef at a retail meat case and later preparing a meal for a Taiwanese family. That video can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n_eO3CumBU

Social media played a big role in the U.S. beef barbecue social events held in Taiwan

‘Let’s Go Party for U.S. Beef BBQ’

A series of social events took place at barbecue restaurants that featured hosts and dancers interacting with consumers through educational games to help consumers understand the attributes of U.S. beef. Afterward, participants were encouraged to share photos and comments on their blogs, Instagram accounts and Facebook pages.

In addition, USMEF’s inclusion of food stands from night markets in Taiwan helped pull a younger crowd into the promotion.

Kevin Woolf, an expert on American-style barbecue, demonstrated the use of U.S. beef top sirloin cap for Taiwan’s barbecue restaurants

“It was the first time USMEF worked with the stands to promote U.S. beef,” said Davis Wu, USMEF director in Taiwan. “Through the cooperation of local operators, food stands serving U.S. beef barbecue were able to communicate with these young consumers face-to-face.”

New Cut Seminars Preceded Barbecue Promotions

USMEF reached out to Taiwan’s barbecue restaurants months before the consumer events to introduce them to the advantages of using U.S. beef and recruit them to participate in the promotions.

“We wanted to provide them with the opportunity to learn more about U.S. beef,” said Wu. “We had several demonstrations featuring Kevin Woolf, an American barbecue expert. USMEF has been highlighting U.S. top sirloin cap, and we asked Woolf to prepare this cut at the seminar and present it in an American-style barbecue.”

Discussions during the seminars carried over to the barbecue promotional events, as some foodservice operators and importers inquired about cuts like brisket and top sirloin cap, showing that USMEF’s barbecue promotions successfully created attention for alternative cuts that are a good fit for barbecue.

“Our strategy was to work with restaurants and retailers throughout the campaign to make sure that consumers, whether they choose to dine out or prepare meals at home, always make U.S. beef a top option,” said Wu.

2016 was an outstanding year for U.S. beef exports to Taiwan. Through November, exports were up 22 percent year-over-year in volume to 39,299 metric tons. Export value was up 10 percent to $319.5 million – already setting a new full-year record.