UK pork secures £19m Mexico export deal

Twelve UK pork businesses have secured approval to export to Mexico in a £19m trade deal announced this week, opening a growing market after eight years of negotiations.

The agreement gives companies across England and Northern Ireland long-term access to the pork sector in Mexico, where consumption has grown by 5.4% annually between 2019 and 2024.

It also removes key trade barriers and sets the stage for future tariff-free exports to the market of about 132m people.

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Defra farming minister Daniel Zeichner said: “British pork is renowned for its exceptional quality and high welfare standards, so it’s no surprise to see global demand continuing to grow.”

The deal includes permission to export offal and edible by-products, offering UK farmers returns on parts less popular at home but valued in traditional Mexican dishes, such as buche, which is pork stomach often used in tacos.

AHDB trade director Jonathan Eckley said:

“Access and broadening the scope of our pigmeat 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.”

The UK also secured market access specifically for Northern Ireland through separate negotiations.

NI Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) minister Andrew Muir said:

“This is testament to the exceptional standards we have in place here in Northern Ireland to produce high-quality meat at an international level.”

The announcement follows the launch of the government’s new trade strategy. Exports minister Gareth Thomas said: “This £20m export win will boost farming and rural communities across the nation.”

Once Mexico approves the UK’s access to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the 20% tariffs on pork will be removed, further increasing competitiveness.

Defra, the Food Standards Agency, Daera, and the Department for Business and Trade led the negotiations with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.