British pork producers are celebrating a major breakthrough as China’s Covid-era restrictions on UK unprocessed pork exports were ended. Industry estimates suggest this development could boost revenues by around £80 million, offering significant benefits to UK farmers and the economy.
A lucrative market reopens
The lifting of restrictions means British bangers and other premium pork products can once again be exported to China. Major UK producers have already received the green light to restart exports. This allows them to seize opportunities in a market that purchased £180 million worth of pigmeat in 2023. China could therefore potentially be the UK’s biggest non-EU customer.
This achievement follows top-level talks during the Foreign Secretary’s recent visit to China.
The announcement adds to another recent victory for British agriculture. Earlier this year, the government secured access to the US market for UK beetroot growers, estimated to be worth £150,000 annually in increased exports.
