Bord Bia has high hopes on China's beef market
The announcement made by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, about Irish beef gaining access to China was welcomed by Bord Bia who is expecting an increase in beef exports in the next three years.
According to Bord Bia, China officially imported more than 700,000 tonnes of beef in 2017 – a figure expected to double by 2020.
In China, annual per capita beef consumption is low at 4-6kg, compared to 19kg in Ireland. However, consumption is on the rise. An average annual increase of just 1kg per capita equates to an additional 1.38 million tonnes of beef per annum, and by 2020, it is estimated Chinese consumers will eat close to 9 million tonnes of beef.
Bord Bia CEO, Tara McCarthy, said “Bord Bia, and in particular, our Shanghai office, has been actively planning and preparing for today’s breakthrough, and we are now well-positioned and ready to maximize this significant opportunity for Irish beef exporters. Today’s timely announcement follows just days after we hosted the China Meat Association and 17 senior representatives from leading Chinese meat importers as part of our Marketplace International event. All of the visiting Chinese delegates had the opportunity to visit Irish beef farms and processers, giving them a first-hand experience and insight into Irish food production.”
“Ireland’s agri-food industry already enjoys a strong trade relationship with China. Exports were valued at almost €1 billion last year, while China is our second largest export market for dairy and pork, behind the UK. The opening of Irish beef access is a testimony to our industry’s strength, reputation and proven track record in the Chinese market.”
Last year, Bord Bia won a contract to promote EU beef and lamb in China, Japan and Hong Kong in a campaign valued at €3.75 million. The timing of the campaign (2017-2019) will be beneficial to Ireland’s beef exporters, as Bord Bia’s management of the initiative has widened the recognition of Ireland as a secure supplier of safe and sustainably produced beef and lamb. Targeting importers, retailers, foodservice providers, chefs and media outlets, the campaign is focused on digital media, PR, trade fairs, seminars and inward visits to Ireland. Under this EU-funded programme, Bord Bia and leading Irish beef exporters will attend five major beef trade exhibitions – two in Japan, one in Hong Kong and two in China, including SIAL China, the largest food trade fair in China, which takes place in Shanghai next month. Minister Creed and Bord Bia will lead an agri-food Trade Mission to China in May, where the Minister will visit the SIAL China to help promote Irish beef and pork among the Chinese audience.
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