Ministers McConalogue and Heydon officially launch Irish Beef into the Korean market
- Published on: 6 September 2024
- Last updated on: 10 September 2024
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, T.D. and Minister of State with responsibility for New Market Development, Martin Heydon, T.D. today (Friday) officially launched Irish beef into the Korean market after securing access in May 2024. Securing market access has been a key priority for the Ministers and today’s official launch reinforces the importance and potential for Agri-food exports to grow their footprint in this important market.
Minister McConalogue stated:
"I am delighted to formally launch our top-class beef into the Korean market here today from Deoksugung Palace in Seoul. Due to the huge potential it represents for Irish exporters as the fourth largest meat importer globally, the Republic of Korea was designated as a priority target market for Irish Beef. The formal opening of the market comes as a result of my Department’s dedicated work in collaboration with the Embassy of Ireland in Seoul, Bord Bia, the European Commission and other industry stakeholders. Access was secured in May 2024 following my visit to Korea last October as part of a whole of Government trade mission and the high level meetings that took place. While I may have opened the door for our exports to commence, this visit is now about building on our trade relationships so our Irish Agri-food exporters can establish and grow their footprint in the Korean market.”
Minister McConalogue added:
“Our Irish beef is a unique and exceptional product that I am confident will exceed Korean consumers’ expectations for high quality and safe food. As Irish beef is mostly grass fed rather than grain fed like other parts of the world, this will give more choice to the Korean consumers, who like Irish consumers, demand high standards in safe and sustainable food.”
Minister of State, Martin Heydon, who has special responsibility for new market development, commented:
“I am delighted to be here in Seoul to mark the formal launch of Irish beef into the Korean Market. 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. Significant progress has already been made since the initial access announcement in May between the Irish beef industry, importers and potential customers in the Republic of Korea. As the fourth largest importer of beef globally, the Korean market presents a fantastic opportunity for our beef sector.”
Bord Bia Chief Executive, Jim O’Toole said:
“Trade with international markets such as Korea is the important third leg of the stool for Irish beef exports, increasing our market options and the ability to maximise value from a range of cuts. We are in Seoul less than four months after gaining access to the Korean beef market to solidify trade relationships and officially launch Irish beef.
Irish beef exporters are targeting opportunities in high-end retail, e-commerce, and foodservice channels. E-commerce, in particular, is an ideal fit for premium Irish steak cuts, with the opportunity to reach affluent Korean consumers looking for convenience and an alternative to imported grain-fed beef. Ireland’s beef access agreement includes bone-in cuts, such as short ribs, which are popular in Korean barbecue restaurants. The majority of imported beef is consumed through the foodservice channel, where barbecue restaurants dominate.
Bord Bia has a suite of services in place to support Irish beef exporters targeting the Korean market. This includes an insight study on beef conducted with Korean consumers to better understand their taste preferences, which will be presented to the Irish trade seminar today.”
Minister McConalogue concluded:
“This is a wonderful period in the continued development of our relationship between Ireland and the Republic of Korea following what has been considerable engagement at official, diplomatic and political levels over recent years.
ENDS
Image #1 L to R - Minister of State with responsibility for New Market Development, Martin Heydon, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue and Jim O’Toole, Chief Executive, Bord Bia, today officially launching Irish Beef into the Korean market in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Image #2 L to R - Joe Moore, Markets Manager for Japan and the Republic of Korea, Bord Bia, Jim O’Toole, Chief Executive, Bord Bia, Minster for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State with responsibility for New Market Development, Martin Heydon and Karen Ballif, Market Specialist, Bord Bia.
