The reopening of the Chinese market for Irish beef is very welcome. We have been locked out of the Chinese beef market since October 2024 due to an atypical case of BSE.

The Chinese market for Irish beef has been stop-start in the last five years, with 2020 being one of the most successful when 6,139 tonnes were exported. The first half of 2024 was a lot more subdued, with just 1,449 tonnes exported.

The Chinese news comes as Ireland struggles to make gains in beef markets beyond the UK and Europe. Last week’s Bord Bia publication of a record €19 billion worth of food and drink exports has to be acknowledged as a massive achievement and one which all farmers should be very proud of.

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Beef exports came in at €3.4 billion against a backdrop of the volume of beef dropping by over 40,000 tonnes when compared to the 10-year average.

Headline figures can hide the detail, and it will be of concern to see just €135 million of the €3.4 billion in beef exports going to markets outside the UK or EU.

Scarcity of supply and price within the UK and EU would have taken some of the pressure off getting into other markets, but given all the work that goes into gaining market access, to see it going backwards is a concern.

Our share of the UK market is also dropping, with an almost 10% reduction in Ireland’s share of UK beef imports in 2025.

While Bord Bia points to their market research showing an increased trust for Irish product, the price of that product is another thing, and some will make choices on price alone.

On Bord Bia’s analysis, 2026 looks to be another uncertain year for the food and drink sector, with a new world order on trade emerging and changing production cycles across the globe.

Many farmers would like to see a repeat of 2025 served up again for 2026, but there are no guarantees on that.