Ireland hopes to maximize agri-food export potential in China

China is already a large market for Irish agri-food exports, but there is significant potential for Ireland to increase agri-food exports to China, according to Irish Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney.

"In recent years, China has become a key trading partner with Ireland in the agri-food sector particularly for dairy, seafood and pigmeat," Coveney said in a recent interview.

Irish beef is still banned from China because of mad cow disease concerns. But Ireland has been seeking re-entry to this market for some time.

"Given the huge role which beef plays in our agri-food sector, I believe that providing it for the Chinese market is the natural next step," said the Irish minister, who is this week in China for a visit.

Ireland is hopeful of making solid progress on opening up the key market of China for Irish beef exports this year.

"This has been a high priority for Ireland for a number of years now and something we have discussed in detail with Chinese counterparts on many occasions," he said.

"I am delighted to have secured a commitment from the Chinese side for them to undertake an inspection visit of our systems and plants in early December. I am very confident that this inspection will go well as we believe that our food control systems are world class as verified by the many third country markets around the world which are now buying Irish beef," he added.

Coveney said the Chinese government has recently taken the step to allow in additional quantities of beef and lamb to reflect growing demand by Chinese consumers.

"Given that Irish beef is famous all over the world for its taste and quality, I am convinced that we can help meet this growing Chinese demand," he said.

Ireland is now the fourth largest net exporter of beef in the world, but most of China's beef imports today are supplied by Australia, Uruguay, New Zealand, Canada and Argentina.

Coveney said Ireland has comparative advantages in beef production. "At the heart of this production is sustainability and a product that is traceable from farm to fork," he said.

"Our beef animals are outdoors in an extensive agricultural system and this grass-fed approach adds to the reputation for providing a premium high-taste product. In addition we have a national quality assurance scheme for our beef farmers which ensure that our beef is produced to the highest possible standards."

According to Coveney, other Irish agricultural goods could also advance in the Chinese market in the future.

Ireland has developed world class nutritional feeds for cattle and horses. It has also a leader in the development of genetics for breeding in the dairy beef porcine and equine industries.

"Coupled with this, Ireland can export world class services in terms of expertise in relation to the agri-food, seafood and other sectors," he said.