Meaty milestone as Mexico bites into £19m British pork deal

Twelve companies in England and Northern Ireland can export high-quality British goods, including favourites like pork chops, to Mexico’s quickly growing market.

Through focused negotiations with Mexico, the UK has gained new access specifically for Northern Irish exporters, according to the government who said the deal secures long-term access to the lucrative market. 

British pork stands out globally for its exceptional quality and strong welfare standards, positioning British pig farmers perfectly to supply premium pork products that meet growing Mexican consumer demand. 

The businesses will also now be able to export offal and edible by-products, bringing British pig farmers a return on parts that are less popular in the UK but which Mexican consumers relish as part of classical buche meat dishes.

The government emphasised that sustaining and growing the export market is essential for optimising the full value of British pig carcasses, which in turn helps strengthen prices for UK farmers at the farm gate.

With consumption in Mexico’s pork market growing by 5.4% annually between 2019 and 2024, industry estimates expect the deal to bring in £19m over the first five years, delivering on the government’s commitment to kickstart economic growth and put more money into working people’s pockets under the Plan for Change.

Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner hailed the deal as a “tremendous win” and that securing better trade deals for British farmers and food producers will “boost their incomes” as part of Plan for Change.

Jonathan Eckley, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) International Trade development Director, said: Access and broadening the scope of our pig meat exports to the significant Mexican market is very welcome news and a testament to our levy payers’ work in providing world class products, produced to the highest standards.”

This successful outcome follows eight years of negotiations between Mexican and UK authorities led by Defra, including Food Standards Agency, DAERA and industry partnerships with valuable support from the Department for Business and Trade and the FCDO.

The deal will also pave the way for future opportunities for British exporters, with 20% tariffs on pork set to disappear once Mexico ratifies the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), making quality British produce even more competitive in this growing market. 

The 12 sites include: 

Cranswick Country Foods PLC – Hull, Watton and Ballymena

Pilgrim’s Pride Ltd – Spalding and Westerleigh, Bristol

Thermotraffic Ltd – Wrexham

Magnavale Chesterfield Ltd – Chesterfield

ABP Cold Store – Hull

Americold Spalding Ltd – Spalding 

Turners (Soham) Ltd – Suffolk

Karro Food Group – Cookstown

Interfrigo Ltd – Antrim

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