Beef exports from Ireland to China will more than double in 2019, according to Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed.

Speaking exclusively to the Irish Farmers Journal at the SIAL trade fair in Shanghai, China, the minister said that he expects total food exports to China to breach the €1bn mark is “well within our reach now”.

Asked whether more beef plants will be approved for export to China, the minister said he hoped so:

“We’re dealing with the authorities here. In fact, tomorrow we’ll have meetings in Beijing on [plant approval]. We’re always looking to improve the terms under which we trade so specifically having more plants approved is really important and it’s a critical part of what this trade mission is about, but also in the more longer term, the spec that’s available to come into the market here would be something we’d be anxious to improve as well.”

African swine fever

As previously reported, African swine fever is rampant in China with official figures saying 20% of the pig population was culled by the end of March. Analysts suggest this figure will go much higher and global pigmeat production could be down 15% in 2019.

The reduced supply of pork in China is expected to lead to an increase in demand for all protein foods in China and across the world, and Irish beef could benefit.

“I think it’s quite likely that we will more than double our exposure here in terms of [beef] volume in the Chinese market in 2019,” Creed said.

Ireland was represented at the SIAL trade fair by Bord Bia with representatives from the China export-approved beef plants on the stand.

They say that interest in Irish beef is strong and growing. The demand in China is mainly for what would traditionally be classed as lower value cuts such as forequarter, shins, short ribs and the brisket.

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