UK pork sector gains access to growing Mexico market
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They will now be able to export offal and edible by-products, bringing British pig farmers a return on parts are popular in Mexico as part of classical buche meat dishes.
With consumption in Mexico’s pork market growing by 5.4% annually between 2019 and 2024, industry experts estimate the deal will bring in £19m over the first five years.
This successful outcome follows eight years of negotiations between Mexican and UK authorities led by Defra, including Food Standards Agency, DAERA and industry partnerships with valuable support from the Department for Business and Trade and the FCDO.
The deal will also pave the way for future opportunities for British exporters, with 20% tariffs on pork set to disappear once Mexico ratifies the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), making quality British produce even more competitive in this growing market, Defra added.
Food security minister Daniel Zeichner said: “British pork is renowned for its exceptional quality and high welfare standards, so it’s no surprise to see global demand continuing to grow.
"This is a tremendous win for our pork producers and builds on our recent success in resuming exports to China. It demonstrates this government’s unwavering commitment to securing better trade deals for British farmers and food producers and will boost their incomes as part of our Plan for Change".
Jonathan Eckley, AHDB international trade development director, said: “Access and broadening the scope of our pig meat exports to the significant Mexican market is very welcome news and a testament to our levy payers’ work in providing world class products, produced to the highest standards.”
NI Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, Andrew Muir, said: "I am delighted that Mexico has granted approval for Northern Ireland to export pork to its markets.
"This is testament to the exceptional standards we have in place here in Northern Ireland to produce high quality meat at an international level and demonstrates our commitment to supporting our important agri-food industry".
Defra said it will continue to work closely with UK pork producers and traders, as well as relevant industry bodies, to ensure the smooth export of their goods to Mexico.
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