Simon Coveney has said he believes Irish beef exports to China will begin this summer.

The former Minister for Agriculture made the comments during a St Patrick’s Day visit to Beijing last week.

In February, Department of Agriculture officials visited the country to update Chinese officials on progress made on an audit report their authorities delivered after a technical visit to Irish factories last year.

China imported almost 1m tonnes of beef last year and their appetite for beef and dairy is expected to increase as diets become more western.

In May, European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan will travel to China with senior representatives from the agri-food sector in Europe, to help advance trade links between businesses in both countries.