Frequent warnings by health experts about the dangers of too much red meat are likely to fall upon deaf ears where Irish exports are concerned.

China’s export sales contracted 15% in March, a shock outcome that deepens concern about sputtering Chinese economic growth.

China’s exports gained steam in May thanks to firmer global demand, but an unexpected fall in imports signalled weaker domestic demand that could continue to weigh on the world’s second-largest economy.

China’s 2006 global trade surplus jumped nearly 75% over the previous year to a record €137bn, according to data reported today by a state news agency.

China’s soybean imports fell 12% in the first half of the year after inspectors prevented contaminated shipments from being sold.