Ireland’s application for beef access to South Korea has been advanced to the next stage, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has announced.
The decision to advance Ireland’s application was made by the National Assembly of South Korea. Irish and Korean authorities will now progress to the final steps of the process.
The final steps required now are an agreement of a Veterinary Health Certificate and hosting an audit visit to approve plants for export. Work by DAFM officials has already commenced in both areas.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, and Minister of State with responsibility for new market development, Martin Heydon welcomed the “significant” step.
The process of securing beef access commenced during Minister McConalogue’s visit to South Korea in October this year and Minister Heydon’s visit in March.
Describing the development as “extremely positive” and a “very significant milestone” in achieving market access for Irish beef in this “important” market, Minister McConalogue said:
“With a population of over 50 million people there is huge potential for Irish agri-food exporters to grow their footprint in the sophisticated Korean market.
“Last year, Irish agri-food exports increased to €75 million in value so the foundations of strong relationships are already in place and adding beef to our exports will increase thus further.”
South Korea
The development follows the minister’s participation in the recent whole of government trade mission to South Korea led by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
“During this visit, I held a positive and ultimately fruitful discussion with So Byung Hoon, member of the National Assembly and chairman of the Agriculture Committee,” he said.
The matter of Irish beef access to the country was also raised by An Taoiseach during his meeting with the Korean president, according to Minister McConalogue.
Minister Heydon travelled to Korea and met with chair So and the relevant government departments during his visit to Seoul for St. Patrick’s Day this year to pursue the matter.
“The expansion and diversification of markets for Irish beef is central to the development of the sector and in growing the value of Irish agri-food exports,” Minister Heydon said.
Export market
Bord Bia CEO, Jim O’Toole said that gaining access to South Korea, which is one of the world’s largest beef importers, will be a “welcome boost” for the Irish beef market and Irish farmers.
Despite “strong competition” from established players such as the US and Australia, he said that Bord Bia research shows that grass-fed Irish beef is “ideally positioned” to satisfy the demands of Korean consumers.
South Korean consumers are the highest per capita consumers of meat in Asia, consuming 53.2kg per person, of which 11.4kg is beef. However, they rely heavily on imports to meet demand, according to Bord Bia.
In 2022, South Korea imported over 474,500t of beef of which 54% came from the US. Brazil, traditionally a major player in Asian markets, does not have access to the Korean market, Bord Bia said.
There will be a strong Irish presence at the Seoul Food trade show in June. Bord Bia will also welcome South Korean meat buyers to Ireland in June for a tour of beef farms and processors, O’Toole said.