China has had a long-time ban on beef imports from all but six countries, however, Ireland is one of only three countries that China is working toward granting official access to its €51 billion beef market in 2015 – the other two being the U.S. and Canada. During a five-day trade mission to China, Ireland’s Agriculture Minister, Simon Coveney announced that inspections were also beginning to gain approval for Irish sheep imports to China. While it is true that large amounts of beef are being smuggled into China through Honk Kong’s ‘grey’ channels, and Irish companies are supplying products, especially offal, in such ways, receiving official access to China’s market could double returns for Ireland’s industry – boosting returns by €15 million annually. Given that beef consumption in China has been growing at 20% per year without expectation of slowing, and per capita consumption is still low at 5 kilograms per person per year, China could become Ireland’s second most important export market after Britain. Ireland will also be examining the growth in demand in China for infant formula as Ireland’s dairy exports have doubled in the last two years to €270 million, while total food and drink exports have increased five-fold since 2008 and will reach €500 million in 2014.
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