Cranswick Ballymena secures approval in landmark £19M UK pork export deal with Mexico

Cranswick’s factory site in Cullybackey, Ballymena

Cranswick Country Foods in Ballymena is set to benefit from a major new UK trade agreement with Mexico, as Northern Ireland joins a select group of producers approved to export pork to the Central American nation in a deal worth an estimated £19 million to the UK food industry.

The announcement, made by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) following confirmation from Mexico’s National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA), marks a significant step forward for the agri-food sector in Northern Ireland.

Among the local facilities now approved are Cranswick Country Foods in Ballymena, Karro Food Group in Cookstown, and Interfrigo cold store in Antrim. These businesses are three of 12 UK sites—including both England and Northern Ireland—granted permission to export pork to Mexico until June 2027.

Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir welcomed the news, calling it a testament to cross-sector collaboration and Northern Ireland’s growing international reputation for food quality.

“I welcome the news that Mexico has granted approval for the UK to export pork to its markets which follows joint efforts by Defra and DAERA,” said Minister Muir.

“Partnership working between industry, government, key stakeholders and the Mexican food authorities has been instrumental in getting this agreement across the line.”

Highlighting the economic and reputational benefits, the Minister added:

“This is an important achievement for our agri-food sector, allowing it to showcase the excellent standards of Northern Irish pork and helping to reinforce Northern Ireland’s reputation as a trusted supplier of high quality food products.”

Boost for Northern Ireland’s agri-food industry

The approval of Cranswick Ballymena and its counterparts represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen Northern Ireland’s export portfolio at a time when new international markets are increasingly important post-Brexit.

The cold storage facility Interfrigo in Antrim will play a vital logistical role in supporting the supply chain, while Karro in Cookstown, another key slaughter site, adds significant capacity to meet export demands.

UK-wide cooperation brings results

This export win was achieved through extensive cooperation between Defra, DAERA, industry stakeholders, and Mexican authorities. It aligns with the UK government’s wider ambition to expand global markets for high-quality British food products.

The total value of the deal to the UK pork industry is projected at £19 million, providing fresh export routes for domestic producers and further validation of British farming and food standards on the world stage.

With approval in place until 2027, the deal offers long-term stability and growth opportunities for Northern Ireland’s pork sector and the broader UK agri-food economy.