After a 15 year absence, the Chinese government is to re-open its market to Irish beef, a decision which Bord Bia has warmly welcomed. The decision marks an important next step in increasing securing new market opportunities for Irish exporters.
Increasing prosperity in China has led to an increased demand for imported beef which is expected to rise to 750,000 tonnes by 2023. This figure only accounts for approximately 3% of China’s total meat consumption.
Chief Executive of Bord Bia Aidan Cotter commented, “The decision by the Chinese authorities represents a major boost for the reputation of Irish beef in the region. International markets, outside the European Union, were the star performers in Irish food and drink exports achieving their fifth year of continuous growth in 2014.
He added, “Almost one-third (€850 million) went to Asia, of which almost two-thirds were accounted for by China (61%) where exports increased by almost 40% to reach €520 million.”
Ireland has built a solid trading relationship with China which has seen the value of Irish food and drink exports increase tenfold over the past decade. It is our sixth largest export market overall, and our second most important for dairy and pig meat.
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Hannah Popham.
