March 27, 2015

More Irish beef to enter China in 2015 as ban ends

China, more than the US, is emerging as a big market for Ireland's beef, said Simon Coveney, the Republic's minister for agriculture.

He revealed this during the culmination of Bord Bia's Marketplace event at the Dublin's Convention Centre.

With the cessation of a ban in February, Irish beef producers might start meat sales to China by autumn, Coveney added.

According to the minister, the beef trade between both countries could reach a value of over US$109 million even in the short term. This forecast is based on the fact that the country delivered US$44 million in cattle skins to China.

Moreover, Coveney expects "multiples" in the rising value of beef exports, rendering the country as Ireland's largest beef market outside Europe and even surpassing the US in value. He hopes that the Chinese market be able to absorb 20,000 tonnes of beef in 2015, at a value of US$109 million.

For now, the next step forward will be the visitation of Chinese officials who will be examining Irish meat sites. It will happen before an Irish delegation flies to China in late October or November to facilitate the reopening of the market. 

"Our beef industry is already very engaged on the ground in China in terms of preparing for the opening…," Coveney said, noting that Larry Goodman's ABP Group has established an office in Shanghai.

According to the minister, the priority is to obtain a high-end premium market share with a strong price instead of merely raising volumes.

Ireland is currently the only European country allowed to export beef to the US and China.