Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, is exhibiting at the 4th China International Meat Industry Exhibition and Conference which opens in Beijing today. Organised by the China Meat Association, this three day event is regarded as one of the most important events of its kind in the Chinese calendar. Leading players in the Chinese meat industry, import companies and exhibitors from the major meat export countries are present.
Bord Bia's participation at the event is part of its on-going strategy to build and develop Irish food and drink exports to China following the foundations laid by the Government-led trade mission to China in January of last year. During the trade mission, Mary Coughlan, Minister for Agriculture and Food, TD. signed a protocol on Irish pork trade with the Chinese Authorities.
With an annual GDP growth currently in excess of 10% and a food market growth of 6-7%, China is set to become a growing import market. Irish food and drink exports to China, including Hong Kong, experienced solid growth in 2005, reaching a value of €53.5 million, an increase of 84% per cent on 2004 levels. Similarly, the provisional export data for the first quarter of this year is showing a continuation of this growth (€29.29 million versus €10.84 million during the first quarter of 2005). The Chinese market is of increasing interest for Irish companies particularly those in the dairy and ingredients sectors as well as in the beverages and pigmeat sectors.
Paddy Moore, Chief Operations Officer, Bord Bia, in his capacity as President of the International Meat Secretariat, will have the honour of performing the official opening of the CIMIE exhibition in Beijing. Mr. Moore will also deliver the opening address at the one-day Conference entitled “China Meat Industry Brand Development Strategy” which will be attended by a wide range of private and public sector decision-makers from China.
In May of this year, Bord Bia participated at SIAL China in Shanghai which is seen as one of the leading shows for the food and beverage industry in China
While in China, Mr. Moore and David Eiffe, Asia Manager, Bord Bia will meet officials of AQSIQ – the Administration of Quality, Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine in the People's Republic of China - for an exchange of views on market access.