Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy likes to hold me to exact predictions. He should consider what has happened with pork and dairy products in China over the past five years. People say the Chinese economy is supposedly slowing down but exports of dairy products from Ireland into China increased by 40% last year, with the value increasing by 25%. China represents a vast opportunity because it has a huge population. We can sell into restaurants and hotels there, which is a premium market. The industry is interested in that and we will make progress on getting in there this year. The volume and value of beef exports to China will be determined this year by when we get into the market. It could be in the first or second quarter or the second half of the year. We will have to wait and see. It is up to the Chinese but we are working well with them.

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