March 7, 2011

Scotland works on increasing meat exports to China

Scotland's meat promotion body is heading to China to explore the opportunities for opening up new markets for Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb.

Quality Meat Scotland chief executive Uel Morton said it would be taking part in a European trade mission to China in the coming months.

The trip only involves food marques bearing Europe's prestigious and highly regarded protected geographic indicator (PGI) status, which recognises food quality and regional speciality foods.

Morton said the mission would be an exciting opportunity to find out the full potential of the Chinese market for Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb, both of which carry the PGI. Scotch Beef is the biggest PGI brand in the EU in terms of volume and annual sales. It is also unique in that it covers an entire country as opposed to just a region.

Morton, however, told the north-east agricultural advisory committee meeting in Aberdeen it might take some time for Chinese markets to open to beef and lamb from Scotland as veterinary protocols and health certificates would have to be negotiated with authorities there. That is often a complex and lengthy task.

Scotch Beef can already be exported to Hong Kong. Pork is currently the only meat from the UK that can be shipped to China after veterinary agreements were signed last November. China opened up its borders to Scottish salmon imports earlier this year.

Morton said selling to the world's biggest meat market could offer huge opportunities for Scottish businesses and farmers, particularly as China becomes wealthier and its population switches from their staple chicken and pork to other more expensive meats, such as beef and lamb.