British pork is set to make its mark on Mexican cuisine following a landmark trade agreement that opens the doors to one of the world’s most dynamic markets. From tacos de buche to chile
verde, UK pork products will soon be enjoyed by Mexican consumers, thanks to a new export deal valued at £19 million over the next five years.
Twelve producers across England and Northern Ireland have been approved to export pork to Mexico, including popular cuts like pork chops and specialist products such as offal and edible by-products. This breakthrough is particularly significant for Northern Irish exporters, who gained dedicated access through targeted negotiations.
British pork is renowned worldwide for its exceptional quality and high animal welfare standards, making it an ideal fit for Mexico’s growing appetite for premium pork products. The ability to export offal and by-products will also help UK farmers maximize the value of each pig carcass, by finding a market for parts less popular in the UK but highly prized in Mexican dishes.
Mexico’s pork consumption grew by an average of 5.4% annually between 2019 and 2024, and industry projections suggest this deal could generate £19 million in revenue over the initial five years. It forms a key part of the government’s “Plan for Change,” aimed at driving economic growth and increasing incomes for working people.
Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, 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.
This is a tremendous win for our pork producers and builds on our recent success in resuming exports to China. It demonstrates this government’s unwavering commitment to securing better trade deals for British farmers and food producers and will boost their incomes as part of our Plan for Change”.
Exports Minister Gareth Thomas said:
“British pork is the best in the world and this £20 million export win will boost farming and rural communities across the nation.
The removal of yet another trade barrier is testament to our Trade Strategy which focusses on quick deals that deliver faster benefits to UK businesses and shows how this government is boosting exports as part of our Plan for Change while upholding our world-leading food standards”.
Jonathan Eckley, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) International Trade development Director, said:
“Access and broadening the scope of our pig meat 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.
This successful outcome follows eight years of negotiations between Mexican and UK authorities led by Defra, including Food Standards Agency, DAERA and industry partnerships with valuable support from the Department for Business and Trade and the FCDO”.
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, Andrew Muir, said:
“I am delighted that Mexico has granted approval for Northern Ireland to export pork to its markets.
This is testament to the exceptional standards we have in place here in Northern Ireland to produce high quality meat at an international level and demonstrates our commitment to supporting our important agri-food industry. Working together with industry, government and key stakeholders was essential to reach this agreement”.
The deal also paves the way for even greater opportunities. Once Mexico ratifies the UK’s membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), tariffs of up to 20% on pork exports will be eliminated, enhancing the competitiveness of British products in this expanding market.
This announcement comes as part of the government’s broader Trade Strategy, which prioritizes swift, high-impact deals to benefit UK businesses. It builds on a series of recent export successes, including gaining access to the US market for UK beetroot producers and easing China’s post-pandemic restrictions on UK unprocessed pork.
Defra will continue working closely with UK pork exporters, traders, and industry bodies to ensure the smooth rollout of shipments to Mexico, helping British farmers tap into this valuable market opportunity. Photo by Acabashi, Wikimedia commons.
