British beef and pork are set to hit dinner plates in the Philippines and China after export deals estimated to be worth £234mn have been made.

A new export deal, valued at £200mn with China, will boost the UK food industry and support 1,500 jobs according to UK food minister George Eustice.

Demand for UK food and drink in China has been growing, with the total value of exports rising by a third to £438mn in 2016, according to the department of environment, food and rural affairs (DEFRA).

Demand for UK pork has doubled in terms of value over the last three years. Nine producers already export to China and generated £43mn last year.

The new agreements include approval to export from five sites in Suffolk, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire, and County Antrim and County Tyrone in Northern Ireland.

“China is a hugely important market for our world-class food industry and by opening up access even further, more UK businesses can take advantage of the growing appetite for our food and drink,” says Eustice.

Meanwhile, DEFRA also announced securing a new £34mn deal to supply beef to the Philippines.

Beef reared in the UK will now join pork, poultry, lamb and dairy on the list of UK food and drink shipped to the Philippines.