British pork is set to be exported to Chile this month to fulfil the first commercial order since market access was granted earlier this year.
The UK’s largest pork processor, Cranswick, is in the process of preparing the first shipments, which will leave its plant in Preston, Hull, early next week.
It follows a new agreement announced in March which granted market access for 27 pork processing sites in the UK, enabling the first ever exports of pork products to this new and potentially lucrative market.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) estimated that market access could be worth up to £20 million over the first five years of trade.
A spokesman from Cranswick said: “We have received our first order for British pork which will be shipped to a customer in Chile this month.
“As the largest processor of pork in the UK, it is imperative we continue to have access to new and emerging international markets, and we welcome this access agreement between the UK and Chile.
“We continue to work closely with AHDB to identify and develop new market opportunities.”
Pork exports to Chile came along with the UK securing new market access to Mexico – a market which is believed to be worth up to £50 million to pork producers during the first five years of trade.
