The Chinese market is set to reopen to Irish beef imports after a suspension that has been in place since September 2024, following the detection of an atypical case of BSE in a cow in Ireland.
Under existing trade arrangements with China, the finding triggered an automatic halt to exports, as required by animal health and food safety protocols. Since then, Irish authorities and industry bodies have been engaged in efforts to secure the lifting of the ban.
The decision to reopen the market comes days after the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, concluded an official visit to China, during which he raised the issue directly with senior Chinese leaders. During the trip, Mr Martin met President Xi Jinping and Zhao Leji, Chair of the National People’s Congress, and pressed for the resumption of beef exports.
Both the Taoiseach and Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, have welcomed the confirmation. In a post on X, Mr Martin said the reopening of the Chinese market for Irish beef was “a very important and positive development” in bilateral agri-food trade between the two countries.
Minister Heydon said the move reflects international confidence in Ireland’s beef production system, highlighting the country’s comprehensive surveillance programs and strict regulatory oversight as key factors supporting the decision.
State food agency Bord Bia said it will begin a relaunch campaign to coincide with the Chinese New Year, marking the return of Irish beef to the Chinese market. The agency described the reopening as a significant opportunity for exporters, particularly in developing demand for a wider range of specialist beef cuts.
Bord Bia CEO Jim O’Toole said the decision provides exporters with renewed scope to diversify their market options and improve overall returns. He added that the agency, working with Irish exporters, is focused on building stable and sustainable long-term growth for Irish beef in China.
Sinead Kennedy, Bord Bia’s China Manager, said the agency has maintained continuous engagement with Chinese importers throughout the suspension, with many partners remaining committed to working with Irish suppliers across both foodservice and retail channels.
With exports set to resume, she said Bord Bia will scale up its market activities in China, including promotional programs under its €3.45 million EU-funded campaign to promote beef and lamb, which has already been rolled out in Japan and Singapore.
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