From January 30th, Portugal will officially export pork to China, with an estimated turnover of 100 million euros in the year. About 10 thousand pigs are slaughtered and exported to China each week.
According to Nuno Correia, manager of the Portuguese Pig Association (FPAS), the first order to China was 10 containers, totaling 270 tons of pork, worth 1 million euros, according to the Portuguese Noticia saominuto news website. The containers will be sent to Hunan Province, China, from the port of Sines in Settubar.
"ICM, Agmeat and Montalva are the three slaughterhouses involved in pork export to China at present," Correia said. From September this year, Portugal will increase its exports to China, with turnover expected to reach 200 million euros by 2020. The Association will review three slaughterhouses, Alcanede, Montijo and Lisboa, and decide whether to approve them to join the export list.
In fact, Portuguese pork exports to China were originally scheduled in December 2018. Pork exports have been delayed so far due to a strike by workers at the Settubar dock. This is a long and difficult process, but now we are finally going to send pork to China! "Portugal needs to develop its economy through exports, and China will greatly promote Portugal's internationalization strategy," Correia stressed.
Correia said: "besides pork, we also hope to export pig hoof, pig ears and viscera to China in the future. "
It is reported that Portuguese officials will hold a celebration ceremony on the official export day, with the attendance of Capoulas Santos, the country's agriculture minister, and Cai Run, China's ambassador to Portugal.
It is reported that recently FPAS and the Hunan Provincial Government reached an agreement to set up a demonstration and tasting Center for Portuguese products in Hunan by the end of 2019. People can taste Portuguese red wine, fruits and pork products.
"This cooperation offers Portuguese producers another option to sell their products in an attractive market, which is a huge step forward in Portugal's export industry," said Correia. "
