Chinese beef and veal imports have surged in the first couple of months of the year, according to the AHDB (the organisation for beef and lamb in the UK).
Chinese beef importers have sourced 95,000t of beef during the first two months of this year, which is more than double the volume imported during the same time last year.
The Asian state is now a major player in the global beef trade, as imports have jumped sharply since 2009, the AHDB reports.
However, Chinese beef imports are mainly sourced from southern hemisphere suppliers, who control 90% of the market share.
According to the AHDB, countries like Brazil and Australia are able to supply cheap beef to the Chinese market.
Brazil currently accounts for 12% of China’s total beef imports, but the South American giant previously accounted for 66% of the total beef imported to China prior to a BSE outbreak in 2012.
The AHDB expects Brazilian beef exports to China to grow significantly this year, as five Brazilian beef plants have been approved for export beef to China, bringing the total to 16.
Australia and Uruguay are also major beef suppliers to China.
Australian beef accounts for 20% of all beef imported into the Chinese market, the AHDB reports, while imports of beef from Uruguay have increase by 25% during the first two months of the year.
Irish beef exports to China
Despite the dominance of Brazil and Australia on the Chinese beef market, the opening of the Chinese market to Irish beef last February was welcomed by many industry commentators.
But, full access to the Chinese market has yet to be granted and the Department of Agriculture are working closely with Chinese authorities to finalise the remaining technical steps to allow the trade to commence.
Minister Coveney said China represents a ‘vast opportunity‘ because of its huge population and highlighted what has happened with pork and dairy products over the past five years.
The industry is interested in that and we will make progress on getting in there this year.
The volume and value of beef exports to China will be determined this year by when we get into the market, he said.
Coveney also said that it could be the first or second quarter of the year before Irish beef is granted full access to China.
“We will have to wait and see. It is up to the Chinese but we are working well with them,” he said.