Farmer Writes: We need to talk about China

The opening of the Chinese market earlier this year came with fanfare and much optimism. From the powers in the Department of Agriculture to the local farmer in the mart paying too much for weanlings, all were bitten by the bug of eastern promise.

Since then, it has been far from easy going although we already had a foothold into Asia. These have come under pressure in recent times.

It is well documented that “grey channels” through Hong Kong have been used to get beef into China from countries otherwise prohibited from doing so. It’s a situation that indicates the potential that China has.

In Ireland, we produce around 520,000t of beef annually.

The equivalent of almost one-third of our annual production is under lockdown in Chinese ports.

The quaintest of deals by Chinese standards could be massive for our industry. At 5kg, their average consumption per capita is less than one-quarter of a European’s. However, multiplying any figure by 1.36bn people returns a healthy number.

Appetite for beef is on the up too. In the early 2000’s, the average Chinese person consumed just 4kg of beef per year and by 2025 it is projected that the same person will be putting away 6.5kg. Also, the average person’s income will treble between now and 2030, which could result in a shift toward more expensive proteins such as beef - positive outlooks all-round.

Our not-so distant future is an uncertain one. At the moment, Britain is a huge asset – snapping up almost half of what we produce. But, no matter how good the quality of our beef is, price wins the day. Ours is climbing relative to everyone else’s - so much so that we have now overtaken some of the traditional continental powerhouses.

In 2017, the UK will vote on whether or not to leave the EU. Should that occur, they would be free to look outside the continent for their beef. Irish production and food safety standards are second to none, but those of other countries are excellent too and cheaper options will become attractive.

In a substantial opinion poll early last year, 41% of the British population said they would like to stay, 41% were in favour of leaving and 18% were undecided.

Has anyone got a number for Beijing?