Due to mad cow disease concerns,China has long-running bans on beef imports from all but six countries, namely Australia, Uruguay, New Zealand, Canada, Argentina and Costa Rica.

However, following a recent meeting between Irish and Chinese officials in Beijing, the Chinese food safety authority, ASQIQ, has agreed to send a team of veterinary inspectors to audit Irish meat export plants and systems in early December. If all is well, Irish beef will be entering the vast Chinese market in 2015.

Beef consumption in China has been growing at close to 20% a year, and market analysts expect the figure to continue rising sharply. They also estimate that once China gives the green light for Irish beef, it would give the Irish beef sectora €15 million (US$18.8 million) annual boost.