HKScan facility approved for export to China

20-Jan-2015 - Last updated on 21-Jan-2015 at 10:24 GMT

Approximately 60% of the pork exported from Finland comes from HKScan's Forssa facility

Finland’s HKScan Group has announced that its pork slaughtering facility in Forssa is to gain export certification from the Chinese food authorities, following successful inspections carried out last August.

The launch of its exports to China would be a major milestone in the company’s strategy to expand its international reach, said head of HKScan’s exports and Away From Home business Jukka Nikkinen.

The business is also keen to export other meat products, suited to local culinary preferences, including poultry meat, processed meats and convenience foods.

Nikkinen said: "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.

"After the forthcoming official export certification, we will continue our efforts to gain similar approvals for Swedish exports."

HKScan said Russia was formerly a major export destination for the company, so the opening of a new market in China was important in the wake of the bans imposed by Russia last January.

According to the firm, approximately 60% of the pork exported from Finland comes from its Forssa facility.