By Li Hongmei

Britain is seeking entry into the Chinese pork market, with the latest example being a deal to export pig semen, inked during the British prime minister David Cameron's recent visit to China.

According to the UK's Financial Times, British farmers will soon be allowed to export pig semen to their Chinese counterparts, which along with the exports of live pigs, is expected to bring in 45 million pounds (US$74 million) in annual sales.

No further specifics on the agreement are available. However, sources in the livestock business in China believe the agreement was not only aimed at promoting British-produced pigs and pig semen but, in larger part the export of parts of the animal that the British public do not consume, including tails and hoofs.

Industry analyst Feng Yonghui said the deal has two advantages as live pigs carry more bacteria than pig semen, and the use of semen could inseminate a greater number of sows over a shorter period of time.

The British deal marks the latest attempt by a foreign country to enter the expansive Chinese market, which consumes over 50 million metric tonnes of pork annually, or half of that consumed globally. Countries include the United States, Mexico, Finland, Argentina and Uruguay.

Cheaper pork from overseas has already found its way into China after prices of locally produced pork soared in 2011 following an epidemic, with imports that year more than tripling the number in 2010.

Most pig farms in China do not have immediate plans to work with British exporters of pig semen, however.