British farmers are to begin exporting pig semen to China next year in a deal said to be worth £45 million ($73.6 million), as the U.K. looks to take advantage of Chinese consumers' growing appetite for high-quality meat.

Despite being home to half of the world's pigs, and the largest consumer of pork, Chinese authorities are concerned about the quality of the country's stock.

The deal will allow British pig semen to be used to artificially inseminate Chinese pigs and improve their genetic make-up.

The agreement was struck between the two countries during a three-day visit by British Prime Minister David Cameron, as he looks to drum up investment in the U.K. from the world's second largest economy.

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At least four artificial insemination centers are due to start exporting in the New Year. The protocol signed between the two countries allows fresh and frozen semen to be shipped to China depending on demand.