July 7, 2023

South Korea exports halal-certified beef to Malaysia

After seven years of quarantine negotiations, South Korea has successfully exported halal-certified premium Korean beef Hanwoo to Malaysia for the first time, The Korea Economic Daily reported.

The shipment marks a significant milestone for Korean beef exports, and was celebrated with a loading ceremony organised by the South Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs at Incheon Port.

Ten cattle were officially exported, and the exported Korean beef will be supplied to local hotels and restaurants in Malaysia. To ensure a smooth transportation process, three cattle were sent to Malaysia on June 8 for a preliminary verification of transportation, quarantine, and customs clearance procedures.

The Malaysian government officially granted permission for the import of Korean beef in a letter sent on June 19, opening up new opportunities for South Korea's beef industry. With this development, Korean beef can now be exported to a total of four countries.

Kim Jung-hee, the head of the Food Policy Office at the ministry, expressed his excitement about the successful export and its significance for Korean beef farmers. He highlighted the entry into the halal markets, which serve a population of 1.9 billion, as a valuable opportunity that could support Korean beef farmers facing supply uncertainties.

-         The Korea Economic Daily