PORK and beef from Northern Ireland can now be exported to India and Canada.
Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) said it was a "positive step" for the agri-food sector.
Agriculture minister Michelle O'Neill said the first shipments left the north at the end of last year.
"Firstly we secured agreement with the Indian authorities to export our high quality pork and I was pleased to note that the first shipment arrived in port at the end of December," she said.
"Our beef sector is also preparing to trade with the newly opened Canadian market. India is one of the largest and fastest growing economies in the world while accessing the established Canadian market is of great importance to our beef exporters."
It comes ahead of final approval to export pork to China while Ms O'Neill said her department were looking at various other markets.
"In order to build on our successes to date, we are working closely with the industry to ensure readiness for inward inspections to access the US and Philippine markets for beef and Australia for pork I am also hoping that negotiations will advance this year on extending our export agreements with China to cover poultry meat and beef," she said.
UFU deputy president Ivor Ferguson said accessing Canada and India had been a "key objective".
“Currency and demand in these markets will ultimately dictate the success of these initiatives," he said.
"But exporting is a long term strategy, and the more markets we have available, the better will be our position to trade when opportunities arise.
“The Canadian beef herd is recovering from a period of decline. Forecasts suggest its domestic beef supplies will be tight in 2016, so hopefully this will be an opportunity for exports. Our hope is that these will help tackle the poor prices farmers are currently facing.
“India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Access to a market of over 1.3 billion people will provide new opportunities for Northern Ireland."
Mr Ferguson added: "In recent months, we have secured market access for pork to China and now India. However, I would urge DARD officials and the minister not to rest on their successes, but to intensify their drive for exports by opening up access to Australia."
