UK signed a new export deal with China which will bring 200 million pounds ($259 million) to the UK food industry and provide 1,500 jobs, according to George Eustice, UK Food Minister.
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Seven new businesses in England and Northern Ireland have received approval to export pork, including three producers that will, in a UK first, trade trotters, which are considered a delicacy in China.
The new deal, that will allow for 1,500 jobs to be created across the country, comes after the news that the UK food and drink exports reached 10 billion pounds for the first semester of 2017.
“China is a hugely important market for our world-class food industry and by opening up access even further, more UK businesses can take advantage of the growing appetite for our food and drink,” Food Minister George Eustice said.
“British food is produced to the very best standards of welfare, quality and safety and this growth in exports to China is creating more jobs and opportunities for our premium pork producers who can guarantee quality from farm to fork,” Mr. Eustice added.
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Chinese demand for British pork has doubled in the last three years, as total value of food and drink exports to China increased by a third to 438million pounds in 2016. Nine producers already export to China and generated 43 million pounds last year.
