Irish Exporters Targeting Chinese Market

Simon Coveney, Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, led a delegation to China this week in an attempt to increase exports with dairy products as the priority. The event is aimed at increasing the profile of Irish dairy products in China, and grabbing a larger piece of the booming market.

During the course of the Ireland-China dairy seminar held in Beijing, Irish representatives expressed strong desires to increase trade between China and Ireland. Data suggests that exports of Irish made products to China have seen huge growth in recent years with recent annual growth rates of 100%. China is Ireland’s second most important market after Britain. This seminar has seen further cooperative agreements reached between government authorities as well as partnerships formed between Chinese and Irish enterprises.

With the abolishment of the EU dairy quota system in March, it is expected that the dairy output in Ireland will rise by 50% in five years. After the CNCA on-site audit earlier this year, four infant formula manufacturers received approval to Chinese market. As the dairy sector is regarded as the mainstay of the country’s economy, Irish exporters are not content to rest on their laurels and have targeted the Chinese market as a key area for expansion. Apart from milk powder of various types, Ireland also wants to export whey and UHT sterilized milk products.

Last year’s Fonterra scandal has provided a good opportunity for Irish dairy interests to expand their Chinese market share and improve the reputation of Irish produce in China.