'Strong and immediate' interest from the Korean trade in Irish beef
Pictured From Farmer With Buyers Korea Beef John Purcell
There has been a "strong and immediate" interest from the Korean trade in Irish beef since the opening of this market, Bord Bia has said.
Eight beef buyers from South Korea are currently on a tour of Ireland hosted by Bord Bia, visiting beef farms and meat processors this week.
The group, which includes leading meat importers and distributors from South Korea, is following an itinerary designed to give them an understanding of the capabilities of Irish beef suppliers and the sustainable practices on Irish beef farms.
Following visits to meat processors during the week, the buyers took a tour of John Purcell’s farm near Golden, Co Tipperary on Wednesday.
Joe Moore, South Korea and Japan manager with Bord Bia, said these are "influential buyers" visiting Ireland.
"We have been building ties with Korean buyers over many years, aided by EU co-funded campaigns and trade missions. By inviting buyers to Ireland, we demonstrate Ireland’s commitment to the Korean market while helping to build long-lasting commercial relationships," he added.
In May, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue and Minister of State Martin Heydon announced the opening of the South Korean market for Irish beef after an extensive approval process, with seven plants approved to supply the market.
In September, Bord Bia will host a Government-led trade mission to South Korea where Irish beef will be formally launched to consumers.
This follows from a previous Government trade mission to Seoul held in 2019 and another trade mission to Korea in 2023.
The visit has been organised by Bord Bia as part of an EU co-funded campaign to promote Irish and European beef and lamb across South Korea, Japan, China, and the US.
Now in its final year, the three-year campaign has invested €4.8m across the four markets.
Joe Moore said that although South Korea is a competitive beef market, dominated by grain-fed imports, "there are opportunities for Irish beef to cater for consumers looking for pasture-raised, high-quality, and nutritious beef".
"There has been strong and immediate interest from the Korean trade in Irish beef with several significant contracts already in place," Mr Moore added.
"Bord Bia will continue to facilitate engagement between Irish beef processors and Korean customers this summer ahead of the autumn trade mission.”
The current EU campaign in South Korea builds on a previous campaign implemented by Bord Bia that engaged with over 650 Korean customers and ran from 2019-2021.
