18/05/2012Posted : May 18, 2012
UK agrees deal to export pork to China

British pork will soon be on menus in China following a £50 million deal reached by Agriculture Minister Jim Paice.

He announced the landmark agreement with the Chinese Government while on a mission to China to boost trade for British food and farming businesses.

Much of the exported pork will be offal, trotters, ears and other parts of the "fifth quarter" which British diners generally do not eat, but the Chinese do.

Chinese consumption of meat is increasing rapidly, yet domestic supply cannot meet the demand. The British pig industry estimates that trade in British pork with China will soon be worth more than £50 million a year.

Mr Paice said: "China is the most lucrative grocery market in the world and, from fashion to food, its rapidly expanding middle class has an appetite for western goods. In particular they are eating more meat, and our top quality producers have got huge opportunities to meet that demand and help our economic recovery."

The industry is also developing its trade in genetic material for breeding programmes, as British pigs are far more fertile and productive.

British Pig Executive (BPEX) chairman Stewart Houston said: "This is a wonderful achievement and something we have been working towards for several years in close co-operation with DEFRA and the British embassy in Beijing."

The first consignment of British pork is ready to be dispatched by Tulip, the UK's biggest producer.

• DEFRA is looking to use the experience of developing this trade deal to open up markets for other British products and services. This will be vital in the future work of the food exports action plan.