Food and drink exports to China are booming thanks to a landmark deal to open up the Chinese pork market.
Exports to China leapt 126% in the first six months of 2013 to £102m, making China the UK’s 10th biggest food and drink export market, according to HMRC data compiled by the Food & Drink Federation.
The transformation is largely thanks to a deal signed by the UK government in May last year allowing UK exporters to sell certain pork products, including offal, trotters and ears, to China.
Of the £57m increase in exports to China, pork and animal fats accounted for £45m.
“What’s particularly attractive about China is that the products we sell there would have little value over here,” said Bpex international manager Peter Hardwick. “At retail in China, pig ears sell for £5 a kilo.”
Hardwick is confident the Chinese market can grow further. The number of UK plants approved by the Chinese government has been rising, and is currently six.
The UK is also in talks to add pig feet to the list of approved products, which could add significant volumes to exports. A ministerial visit could result in a deal before the end of the year.
This week, environment secretary Owen Paterson signed a major deal to open up the Russian market to UK beef and lamb, including offal, ending an 18-year ban imposed after the outbreak of BSE.
ABP Dorset will be the first company to supply lamb to a Russian distributor. Other deals are expected to follow.
“With the inclusion of offal as part of the deal, the gates of opportunity are now well and truly open,” said Paterson.
The UKTI will next week feature webinars and case studies for food exporters on its Open to Export website.
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