May 23, 2012

China signs US$78.8 million deal on British pork

In order to put British pork on the menu in China, a deal worth GBP50 million (US$78.8 million) to UK pig producers has been signed.

Farming Minister Jim Paice announced the deal during a trade mission to China to boost exports of British food. The majority of the pig meat sent to China will be parts of the fifth quarter: offal, trotters, ears and other parts not generally eaten in the UK.

"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," Paice said.

"The process has been a long one but I know it will prove to be extremely worthwhile. Pork is the most popular meat in China and some of the cuts which are less popular here command a premium over there."

Britain's biggest pork producer Tulip is preparing to export the first consignment to China. Andrew Saunders, Tulip's director of Agriculture said, "The news of the clearance to supply British pig meat into China is the culmination of many months' hard work by the team at Defra, Bpex and the National Pig Association who have played a vital role in securing this export business opportunity by working in conjunction with the pig meat processing industry and UK pig farmers."

"The commitment by China to use British pig meat is a true testament to the quality and standards in place across the UK pig industry and provides us with an exciting opportunity to enter a developing market."