Since the start of this year, the meat division of Irish food processing company, Glanbia, has been sending these products from Ireland to China as they have no value in the European Union but are used extensively in many Chinese regions.

Pork tongue is considered a particular delicacy as the Chinese have a tradition of utilising as much of each food product as possible due to shortages throughout their history and demand increasing along with their economic growth.

"Chinese preferences differ to Ireland which is why we supply these delicacies. As China evolves, the level of protein people consume is increasing, " said a Glanbia spokesperson.

The company would not be drawn on the volumes they are sending to China for commercial reasons but, according to government sources, it is the main Irish company to tap that market.

"Another factor in this growing demand form China is that as they become more affluent, farmers' sons and daughters want to move into other areas and hence the number of pig farmers is in decline. It is a growing market and one we will be tapping further in future, " the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile the company has started the recruitment phase for its Chinese operating plant which it hopes to have completed early next year.

The plant, which is to be located in Suzhou outside Shanghai, will manufacture nutritional solutions products for the Asian-Pacific market.

Glanbia aims to employ between 25 and 30 people when it is fully operational and has targeted the Asian-Pacific market, and has plans to expand in the future.

It is investing 4.6m in the plant and say the Asian pacific market is "extremely important" for the group.