NFU livestock board chairman Charles Sercombe is visiting China this week as part of an industry delegation to look at the potential of breaking the Chinese market with lamb produced in England.
Although any export deal for beef and lamb is still several years off and subject to intense negotiation, with a rapidly growing middle class and resulting steep upward demand for red meat as diets change, the potential returns from sales in the Far East are likely to be tens of millions per year.
Mr Sercombe said: “There is no doubt that the potential for lamb in China is huge, and it’s vitally important that we build long term relationships and understand the Chinese industry and market, something that can only be achieved through face to face delegations such as these.
“The market for British lamb in China will be vitally important, and I would like to put on the record my thanks to the CBBC and Eblex for funding and organising this trip, and I hope that, although a deal with China may a couple of years away, we will be able to enjoy a strong trading relationship in the future. With the far east already the second largest export market for lamb, this will be an exciting time as we see the market evolve from demanding not just fifth quarter but also a burgeoning middle class exploring more western style cuts, and our industry, farmers and processors, must rise to these needs.
“British meat is fantastic, and produced to world leading standards. Unsurprisingly this is reflected in the high esteem we are held abroad, so we must work not only to capitalise on that reputation, but also to continue to uphold the high standards that British farmers are famous for.”