The aim of the meeting was to update the group on recent progress made regarding its target list of countries, in a project which is being jointly worked on by the public and private sector.
The meeting, which also involved officials from SENASA and The Institute for the Promotion of Argentina Beef (IPCVA), covered access to the US, Canada, Mexico, the EU, Russia, China, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines – which account for 57% of global demand for bovine meat.
Minster for agriculture Carlos Casamiquela, who led the meeting, highlighted the results of the country’s recent trade mission to China. "The results of the official visit to China were very positive," said Casamiquela, with bovine meat "very much on the agenda of the president".
Extending sanitary protocols was also high on the agenda during the trip to China earlier this month, according to the IPCVA.
Mario Ravettino, vice-president of IPCVA, took part in the second Strategic Economic Dialogue meeting, representing the Argentine beef value chain. More than 40 Chinese officials were present at the meeting, led by the minister for national development and reform commission of China, Xu Shaoshi.
Casamiquela also took part, and spoke about the opening of agricultural markets and export diversification. Argentina currently only exports frozen beef to the country, but is keen to expand this to chilled products.
During the working group meeting, Casamiquela also highlighted the achievements made in 2014, such as the increase in exports to Russia and the opening of market access to Vietnam.
The progress of the working group in countries where access is in the negotiation stages was analysed, with various actions also agreed to promote meat in its newly acquired markets.