China's meat production is forecast to drop from 27m tonnes in 2017 to 19m tonnes in 2020, while consumption is predicted to rise from 71m tonnes to above 100m tonnes. This will leave a shortfall of 80m tonnes, equivalent to dozens of times Ireland's total meat production across beef, lamb, pork and poultry.

This is according to Chen Wei, vice-president of the China Meat Association, who took part in an Irish beef tasting ceremony at this Wednesday's EU-China forum on meat safety and quality in Shanghai.

"This gap needs to be filled by imports from other countries," Wei said. "We hope for deeper, healthier trade relations with the EU."

Irish beef was at the forefront of the event after being recently approved for export to China, although beef represents only 8% of meat consumed in the country. Pork and poultry are much bigger markets, with beef and lamb rising from a lower base.

Food safety

European Commissioner Phil Hogan said Europe was best placed to satisfy the needs of the 20 million Chinese people who join the middle class every year with quality and traceable food, hammering home the food safety message carried by trade missions to China and exhibitors at Shanghai's SIAL food exhibition all week

Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed also addressed the event, declining a similar argument on Ireland's behalf. He said that Irish meat checks had obtained official equivalency with those in the US and Japan, which are "regarded as the highest standards in the world".

China is the world's largest stable growth market and represents a once in a lifetime opportunity

Bord Bia's chief executive Tara McCarthy was also among the speakers, illustrating the quality of European red meats through Ireland's example. She matched it with Chinese consumers' demand for natural, healthy food with strong food safety credentials and a good sustainability record.

"China is the world's largest stable growth market and represents a once in a lifetime opportunity," she said.

Yet Ireland is not the only country knocking on China's door, Wei said the China Meat Association had received visits from more than 30 delegations from EU countries so far this year, and had made four visits to Europe itself.

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