Finance
Ireland says Chinese market has reopened to Irish beef
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 12, 2026
Ireland says Chinese market has reopened to Irish beef
Significance of China's Market Reopening
DUBLIN, Jan 12 (Reuters) - China has reopened its market to Irish beef imports, dropping a 2024 suspension that followed the discovery of a case of mad cow disease, Ireland's prime minister, Micheál Martin, said on Monday.
Impact on Irish Agriculture
"The confirmation today that the Chinese market will reopen for Irish beef is a very important and positive development in our bilateral agrifood trade with China," Martin said in a statement after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping on a visit to China last week.
Bilateral Trade Relations
A Chinese customs database showed that China resumed imports from Irish beef exporters on Monday.
Recent Trade Developments
Martin, the first Irish Taoiseach to visit Beijing in 14 years, had pressed China to restore access for Irish beef products and raised issues related to China's new dairy tariffs during his trip.
Ireland exports the bulk of its output from the beef and dairy industries, which are major employers in the country. It is among Europe's largest exporters of dairy products, shipping about 6 billion euros ($7 billion) of goods annually.
Ties between Beijing and Brussels have been strained since the EU imposed levies on Chinese electric vehicle imports in 2024, prompting Chinese retaliation including tariffs on EU dairy and pork products.
China last month imposed an import quota on beef from suppliers including Brazil, Australia and the U.S. to protect its domestic cattle industry.
($1 = 0.8565 euros)
(Writing by Conor Humphries in Dublin and Ethan Wang in BeijingEditing by Sarah YoungEditing by David Goodman)
Frequently Asked Questions about Ireland says Chinese market has reopened to Irish beef
1What are dairy tariffs?
Dairy tariffs are taxes imposed on imported dairy products, which can affect the pricing and availability of these goods in the importing country.
2What is the significance of agricultural exports?
Agricultural exports are crucial for a country's economy as they contribute to trade balance, create jobs, and support local farmers by providing access to international markets.
3What is the impact of trade policies on agriculture?
Trade policies can significantly affect agricultural sectors by determining market access, pricing, and competitiveness of local products in international markets.
