The deal is expected to bring major benefits to
Scotland, with around 70% of the 100,000 tonnes of seed
potatoes exported annually from the UK coming from
Scottish farms. The seed potato export market is
already worth an annual £90 million to the UK, with
some varieties fetching up to £900 per tonne.
China is the largest global consumer of potatoes in the
world. As the country’s demand for potato-based foods
increases, the humble spud is now China’s fourth staple
crop after rice, corn and wheat – with demand
increasing at a rapid rate.
It follows news that the UK dairy sector
is set to receive a multi-million pound export
boost, with Dr Fox meeting with the Chinese
government to reach an agreement to allow the import of
UK dairy products made with milk from third countries
into China.
The agreement was signed by the International Trade
Secretary during his visit to China. Dr Fox is also
meeting businesses and senior Chinese government
ministers to discuss further trading opportunities
between the 2 countries.
International Trade Secretary MP said:
The rapidly-growing Chinese market offers huge
potential for UK farmers. According to research by
Barclays, around 60% of people in China would
actually pay more for a product, just because they
knew it was British.
With China expected to have 220 cities with a
population of more than a million by 2030, that is a
huge market that UK potato farmers will now be able
to make the most of.
My international economic department is in 108
markets across the world, helping UK businesses to
export whilst liberalising international trade by
removing barriers to commerce. I’m delighted that
this latest deal is set to boost our £67.5 billion
trading relationship with China even further.
UK Government Minister said:
Scotland is known for high-quality food and drink
exports, and our seed potatoes are renowned for their
excellence and breeding through scientific
institutions such as the James Hutton Institute in
Dundee.
Leaving the European Union means we can pursue an
independent trade policy, and the quality of our
exports will drive new trading opportunities like
this one. Linking the world’s largest consumer of
potatoes, China, with Scotland’s exceptional potato
seed is a welcome next step for the UK on a global
stage.
Rob Burns, Head of Crops Export Trade Development at
the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
(AHDB),
said:
It’s a real coup to be one of the first western
countries able to export seed to China and it’s been
achieved through a lot of hard work and the great
reputation of UK seed potatoes which are rightly
renowned around the world for their high health
status and high quality.
I expect the Chinese market will be particularly
interested in processing varieties used for chips and
crisps as there is a big demand for those
products. AHDB’s
role now will be to develop this new trading
relationship through events such as large-scale trade
shows where exporters can showcase their varieties
and start building business in China.
Rural Economy Secretary, Scotland said:
I am delighted that Scottish seed potatoes will now
be enjoyed by the biggest producers in the world, the
People’s Republic of China. This is welcome news for
the Scottish seed potato sector and further
recognition of its global renown for producing high
quality seed potatoes.
The signing of this trade agreement has the potential
to lead to its expansion to the rest of the UK,
opening up the possibility of market diversification
and contributing towards further sustainable growth
in the sector.
Our food and drink exporters have had great success
in recent years in opening and developing new and
existing market opportunities, and I am utterly
determined to continue to maximise these
opportunities by delivering on agreements such as
this.
In a further move to open-up its agri-food market,
China also lifted its 2 decades long BSE ban on the
exports of beef from the UK earlier this year - a
landmark move for beef producers worth an estimated
£250 million in the first 5 years alone.
The Department for International Trade (DIT) helps
businesses export, drives inward and outward
investment, negotiates market access and trade deals,
and champions free trade.
 
We are an international economic department,
responsible for:
-
supporting and encouraging UK businesses to drive
sustainable international growth
-
ensuring the UK remains a leading destination for
international investment and maintains its number
one position for international investment stock in
Europe
-
opening markets, building a trade framework with
new and existing partners which is free and fair
-
using trade and investment to underpin the
government’s agenda for a Global Britain and its
ambitions for prosperity, stability and security
worldwide.
