July 6, 2012

China to import US$78 million British pork annually

The government said Thursday (July 5) that Chinese diners will be squeezing into GBP50 million (US$77.6 million) of British pork a year.

Pig farmers stand to cash in on the Chinese appetite for cuts consisting of offal and tripe, agriculture minister Jim Paice said.

Paice, who recently visited China, said "We opened up the Chinese market to British pig meat exports which the industry believes could be worth something like GBP50 million (US$77.6 million) a year.

"It's not just the conventional cuts we eat in this country, but China has an appetite for other parts of the pig sometimes called the fifth quarter which will add value to many pigs, not just those that are literally exported as a full carcasses."

Speaking at environment, food and rural affairs questions in the Commons, he added, "We are pursuing all opportunities to export fine British food."