£50 million Chinese pig deal “huge boost” for farmers

Specialist agricultural accountants Moore Thompson says an historic £50 million deal to sell British pork to China is a massive fillip for the local farming community.

Andrew Heskin – a partner in Moore Thompson’s Farming Sector team

The UK government recently signed the deal following a trade mission to open the country up to British food exports.

Defra said most of the pork will be offal, trotters and ears, which are more popular with Chinese consumers than British.

Pig genetics are already exported to China, but the UK has so far not been able to trade pigmeat.

“Opening up trade links with such a vast and populous country such as China will give our pig producers great confidence for their future prosperity if they can harness this trade deal.

“I am hopeful that the UK government can now successfully promote other British foods to China and really open up the country to our producers.”

Farming minister Jim Paice, who flew to China to broker the deal, said that Chinese consumption of meat is increasing, but domestic supply cannot meet demand.

He said: “China is the most lucrative grocery market in the world and from fashion to food its rapidly expanding middle class has an appetite for western goods.

“In particular they are eating more meat, and our top quality producers have got huge opportunities to meet that demand and help our economic recovery.”

Moore Thompson has offices in Wisbech, Spalding and Market Deeping.