Tickling the palates of China's hungry middle-class

Barely a week passes without someone, or somewhere, claiming progress in attracting buyers from what is now the world's most influential consumer group - the Chinese middle class.

The most recent examples dished up a terrific Celtic head-to-head, with Ireland and Scotland delivering fresh export figures within days of each other.

Dublin drew first blood. The Irish Food Board revealed food and drink exports to China soared 40 percent last year to $612 million, with dairy, pigmeat and seafood topping the list.