When we talk about UK–China trade, the headlines usually go to cars, machinery, or pharmaceutical.

Here’s a story that deserves more attention — the strength of UK animal-origin exports (meat, dairy, and related products) to China.
Let’s look at the numbers

The Stats That Matter

Pig Meat (especially offal)
In Q1 2025, the UK exported 77,800 tonnes of pig meat — up 4% year-on-year.
Of this, 47% was pig offal — a high-value segment that often finds limited demand domestically.
China alone took 22,100 tonnes of UK pig offal — roughly 62% of all offal exports.
➡️ That makes China the #1 market for UK pig-meat exports.
Dairy, Eggs, Honey, and Other Edible Animal Products

In 2024, UK exports to China in this category totalled US $71.7 million.
By contrast, “live animal” exports were minimal — just US $128,000.
➡️ The growth story here is clearly processed animal products, not livestock.

Why It Matters
✅ China’s growing middle class is driving sustained demand for high-quality imported animal proteins.
✅ The UK’s strong safety and traceability standards make its products especially attractive.
✅ This sector brings tangible benefits to rural economies — especially in regions like Yorkshire, the Midlands, and Scotland where agri-food manufacturing thrives.

The Takeaway
While total UK exports to China span billions in goods and services, animal-origin products are a quiet success story — turning what used to be low-value by-products into high-value exports.

– For UK farmers and agri-food businesses, this isn’t just an export statistic — it’s a signal to invest, scale, and build deeper China partnerships.
– For policymakers, it’s a reminder that diversifying trade beyond traditional sectors pays off.

Key Insight
“In 2025, nearly two-thirds of all UK pig offal exports went to China — proof that demand for British animal-origin products abroad remains strong and resilient.”

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Written by Chris Eglington on