New partnership could boost UK organic meat exports to China
Organic Food Development Centre (OFDC) in partnership with the Britain’s Soil Association Certification (SAC) will boost British organic meat exports.
The Chinese organic market has grown substantially over the past few years and is predicted to be worth an estimated US$7.8bn by 2015, according to BioFach China.
The Chinese meat industry has suffered from several food fraud scandals, which have already been proven to boost sales of organic products in other parts of the world as consumers seek out more reliable, higher-quality produce.
Other European countries are also seeking to take advantage of the Chinese potential; in January GlobalMeatNews reported that Danish organic meat specialist Friland had plans to enter the Chinese market, estimating that it could represent 15% of their total production of organic pork within five years.
Xingji Xiao, director of OFDC in Beijing said: "We think the partnership is good and very important for our collaboration and can help us promote our mutual organic programme."
The SAC has set up an export support programme to help British farmers export their meat all over the world by working with international governments, trade associations, export agencies and certification bodies. The formation of this partnership was supported by the Regional City Engagement team at the British Embassy in Beijing, and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in the UK.
Emma Yeats, senior certification officer, SAC said: "This new partnership comes at a time where there is positive growth in both the UK and Chinese organic markets and exports of UK organic produce to China can really flourish. Working with OFDC will make the process of certification for our UK licensees wanting to export to China both efficient and cost-effective."
