From chile verde to tacos de buche, British pork is set to be
served up on Mexican tables following the UK's successful bid to
secure long-term access to this lucrative market.
Twelve businesses across England and Northern Ireland have
secured approval to export quality British products, including
favourites such pork chops, to Mexico's rapidly expanding market,
with the UK securing new access specifically for Northern Irish
exporters through dedicated negotiations with Mexico.
British pork stands out globally for its exceptional quality and
strong welfare standards, positioning British pig farmers
perfectly to supply premium pork products that meet growing
Mexican consumer demand.
The businesses will also now be able to export offal and edible
by-products, bringing British pig farmers a return on parts that
are less popular in the UK but which Mexican consumers relish as
part of classical buche meat dishes. Sustaining and growing the
export market is essential for optimising the full value of
British pig carcasses, which in turn helps strengthen prices for
UK farmers at the farm gate.
With consumption in Mexico's pork market growing by 5.4% annually
between 2019 and 2024, industry estimates expect the deal to
bring in £19m over the first five years, delivering on the
government's commitment to kickstart economic growth and put more
money into working people's pockets under the Plan for Change.
Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs,
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.
Exports Minister said:
British pork is the best in the world and this £20 million export
win will boost farming and rural communities across the nation.
The removal of yet another trade barrier is testament to our
Trade Strategy which focusses on quick deals that deliver faster
benefits to UK businesses and shows how this government is
boosting exports as part of our Plan for Change while upholding
our world-leading food standards.
Jonathan Eckley, Agriculture and Horticulture
Development Board (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.
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.
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural
Affairs Minister, , 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. Working together with industry,
government and key stakeholders was essential to reach this
agreement.
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.
The news follows the launch of the government's Trade Strategy,
with a focus on practical deals that deliver faster benefits to
UK businesses and builds on a string of recent successes for
British farmers and producers abroad, with the government
securing access to the US
market for UK beetroot growersand slashing red tape to end China's Covid-era
restrictions on UK unprocessed pork exports.
Defra 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.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The 12 sites include:
- Cranswick Country Foods PLC – Hull, Watton and Ballymena
- Pilgrim's Pride Ltd – Spalding and Westerleigh, Bristol
- Thermotraffic Ltd - Wrexham
- Magnavale Chesterfield Ltd - Chesterfield
- ABP Cold Store - Hull
- Americold Spalding Ltd - Spalding
- Turners (Soham) Ltd - Suffolk
- Karro Food Group - Cookstown
- Interfrigo Ltd - Antrim
FURTHER QUOTES
Anjali Juneja, Director of International Affairs at
the FSA said:
“We're pleased that British pork is in demand, this news provides
a welcome boost to the industry and a recognition of how high
food safety standards help underpin confidence in British meat,
and support exports.”
