Twelve UK pork processing plants have been granted approval to export pork to Mexico, marking the end of an eight-year negotiation and unlocking a market worth an estimated £19 million over five years.
The deal is a significant step for the UK’s agri-food sector, especially in light of growing export ambitions post-Brexit. It follows rigorous inspections by Mexican authorities and will benefit a range of businesses, including Cranswick Country Foods, Pilgrim’s UK and Quality Pork Processors.
Also among the approved sites are Woodheads (Morrisons), Tulip, and Karro Food Group, alongside facilities in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
British pork producers are set to benefit not just from the newly opened access, but also from the phased removal of Mexico’s 20% tariff on pork under the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The move is expected to boost demand for underused cuts such as offal.
UK Food and Farming Minister Mark Spencer described the announcement as “a significant breakthrough” and a “vote of confidence in the UK’s food safety and quality standards.”
Dr Phil Hadley from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) added: “Mexico represents a major opportunity for the UK pork sector. Its growing middle class and demand for quality imported meat make it a perfect match for British producers.”
