HKScan Group, one of Europe’s leading meat companies, will soon begin
exporting Finnish pork to China. HKScan Finland’s pork slaughtering facility in
Forssa is going to gain export certification from the
Chinese food authorities following inspections carried out in August 2014.
The launch of Finnish pork exports to China will be a major milestone in
HKScan’s strategy to expand its export footprint, affirmed Jukka Nikkinen, head of HKScan’s
exports business. Direct exports of Finnish meat to China were not possible
prior to certification. In addition to pork, HKScan has long-range plans to
begin exporting other meat products suited to local culinary preferences. These
include poultry meat, processed meats and convenience meals.
“We devoted much time and effort into preparing this export project
together with the authorities. The strong support of the Finnish authorities
and close collaboration between our industry, political decision-makers and
officials have been crucial to its progress”, adds Nikkinen. “After the
forthcoming official export certification, we will continue our efforts to gain
similar approvals for Swedish exports.”
HKScan exports pork to a number of EU countries and to long-haul markets
including New Zealand and Japan. Russia was formerly another major export
destination. The opening of a new export market for Finnish foodstuffs is
important in the wake of the import bans imposed by Russia last January.
Chinese customers and consumers appreciate the pure, chemical-free, safe
and responsibly produced reputation of Finnish meat, says Nikkinen. Other
assets in favor of Finnish meat exports include a transparent production chain,
traceability of raw materials and absence of animal diseases. Unlike many other
countries in Europe and worldwide, Finland adheres to a zero-tolerance policy
on diseases such as Salmonella,
Nikkinen added.
Healthy eating is a rising trend in China, particularly among young
urbanites. HKScan caters to this health-conscious trend with products such as
its tender and tasty HK Rypsiporsas rapeseed pork.
HKScan’s Forssa production facility that will gain export certification
from China has already gained export certifications from the U.S. and Russia.
The plant has approximately 500 employees.
Roughly 60 percent of the pork exported from Finland comes from HKScan’s
Forssa facility. HKScan currently exports meat to close to 50 countries.