Bord Bia plans to beef up exports to China

BORD Bia confirmed yesterday it is using the pig-meat approvals that arrived this year to open discussion on beef exports to China.

However David Eiffe, Bord Bia’s Asia manager said the talks on the pork took nearly three years to finalise but he was optimistic that beef talks will also turn out positive.

Opening up China, the fastest growing economy in the world, to a whole range of Irish products has been part of the Government’s Asian Strategy announced in 2004.

“The aim is to double exports over the five years from 2004 to 2009 from €200 million to €400m,” said Mr Eiffe.

The country’s leading pork producers Glanbia and Dawn Pork & Bacon were recently approved to sell pork into China.

Part of the attraction is that China makes significant use of offal which Irish people regard as inedible.

Last night Glanbia confirmed it was finalising details with the Chinese authorities to facilitate exports of some cuts of pork, regarded as very cheap here, that fetch premium rates in China.

Because we export most of our beef the implications for the sector are quite significant over time, said Mr Eiffe.

Regarding beef Bord Bia believes Ireland has advantages over competitors because of our 100% testing policy. Beef is Ireland’s single biggest export, according to Mr Eiffe.