Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed held a bilateral meeting with Vice Minister Hu of the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) to discuss access for Irish sheepmeat to the Chinese market.

The two discussed market access issues and Ireland’s application for sheepmeat access.

In the first six months of 2019, China imported in the region of 235,000t of sheepmeat

China is now the number-one importer of sheepmeat, with in excess of 300,000t of sheepmeat entering the market in 2018, a massive jump of 30% on 2017 levels.

In the first six months of 2019, China imported in the region of 235,000t of sheepmeat.

That was more than four times Ireland’s total exports of sheepmeat, which has been between 50,000t to 55,000t in recent years.

Demand

Chinese demand for sheepmeat is predicted to stay on this upward trend, with a reduction in pork availability caused by African swine fever driving demand for all meat proteins.

Minister Creed and Bord Bia chief executive Tara McCarthy are in China for a trade mission covering all Irish food and drink.

China’s appetite for sheepmeat continues to grow

Minister Creed and Chinese government talk on sheepmeat

There are hopes that Irish sheep farmers can benefit from approval for Irish exports.