Minister Heydon leads major agri-food trade mission to the Republic of Korea and Japan
- Foilsithe: 9 Meitheamh 2025
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 9 Meitheamh 2025
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, is this week leading a major agri-food trade mission to the Republic of Korea and Japan, in collaboration with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland.
The trade mission, which runs until Saturday 14 June, will include political meetings as well as market development engagement at a series of trade events with commercial representatives.
The trade mission will include two Ministerial meetings and take in visits to three cities, including two markets, two trade receptions, with twelve commercial engagements focusing on Ireland’s high quality, sustainably produced beef, dairy, consumer foods and seafood.
Twenty-two* Irish companies are participating over the two legs of the trade mission and the Japanese leg will have a particular focus on driving awareness of Irish drinks, including three drinks activations events.
Speaking from Seoul, Minister Heydon said:
“The focus of this trade mission is to build on and promote, Ireland’s reputation in agri-food in the Republic of Korea and Japan, and the wider Asia region. The trade mission will take in Seoul Food, Korea’s largest international exhibition for the food, drink, hotel and food service industry and Expo 2025 in Osaka, which is expected to attract more than 28 million visitors, with participation by 160 countries, providing high-profile opportunities to showcase Ireland as a source of high-quality food, including dairy products, meat, seafood, drinks, prepared consumer foods and food ingredients, which satisfies the growing demand for such produce in this region.
“Irish beef gained access to the Korean market in 2024, which was a significant achievement. I was delighted to be in Seoul last September for the launch of Irish beef on the market. This week is about building on the excellent relationships, both official and commercial, we have developed in the Republic of Korea and Japan, to strengthen and expand the relationships.”
Bord Bia CEO Jim O’Toole said the aim of this mission is to build further connections with importers and distributors, particularly for beef.
Commenting today, Mr O’Toole said:
“The Republic of Korea is the most valuable beef market in Asia and should be seen as a long-term, stable opportunity for the Irish beef industry, particularly those companies supplying Irish bone-in cuts such as short ribs that are popular for Korean barbeque restaurants.
“Bord Bia’s 2024 Korean Consumer Research tells us that grass fed beef is viewed as being ‘healthy’ and a more ‘natural’ choice for consumers as well as being considered a premium product. This sets us apart from our grain fed competitors in the market, and one we are using to reach an affluent consumer base.
“Security of supply is an important factor in purchasing decisions for South Korean customers, something which Ireland can deliver on backed by Origin Green farming practices including its quality assurance programmes and regular farm audits. This trade mission is all about highlighting these credentials and maximising value for a range of Irish cuts with our South Korean buyers.”
Mr O’Toole added:
“This trade mission is about deepening existing key trade relationships with customers and targeting new business opportunities, particularly around food service and in retail via e-commerce platforms. There will be a particular focus on supporting five Irish meat companies in Seoul for the Seoul Food trade show, along with C-suite business meetings, all with the aim of making inroads with new customers for the beef sector.”
Notes
Seoul Food is Korea’s largest international exhibition for the food, drink, hotel and food service industry. Seoul Food covers a wide variety of sectors and brings together high quality Korean buyers, decision makers and industry experts, all of whom are on the lookout for premium goods, worldwide trends and future business ideas.
South Koreans are the highest per-capital consumers of meat in Asia, with consumption of 60kg per person, of this 17kg is beef.
This beef consumption is expected to grow by 1% p.a. for the next four years; a clear opportunity for Irish suppliers.
Last year, South Korea imported almost 500,000t of beef, 92% of which came from the United States and Australia. Given these figures, South Korea is a priority market for Irish beef.
*The following companies are participating in the Trade Mission:
- Liffey Meats
- Dawn Meats
- APB
- Kepak
- QK Meats
- Silver Hill Duck
- Lakeland Dairies
- Carberry
- Kerry Group
- Tírlan
- Intrepid Spirits
- Clonakilty Distillery
- Hyde Irish Whiskey
- Curraghmore Irish Whiskey
- Boann Distillery
- Walsh Whiskey
- JJ Corry Whiskey
- O’ Malley Spirits Trading
- Ahascragh Whiskey
- Jameson Distillery
- Church of Oak Distillery
- Dingle Distillery