Premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo, will be exported to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the first time. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs expects this export to kick-start the global expansion of premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo, and to pave the way into the halal market.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs held a ceremony on the 30th at the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation to mark the shipment of the first batch of premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The shipment consists of about 1.5 tons of chilled and frozen premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo, which will be transported via Incheon International Airport and seaports.
With this shipment, the number of countries to which premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo, can be officially exported has expanded to five, adding the UAE to Hong Kong, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Laos.
An official at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said, "The UAE is a high-income country that relies on imports for more than 90% of its beef consumption and could become a key hub for exports of premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo," adding, "While the UAE imports a high share of Australian and U.S. beef, imports of high-end Japanese beef have surged recently, making the entry prospects for premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo, strong." Japan's exports to the UAE jumped more than 36-fold, from 24 tons in 2019 to 879 tons in 2023.
The ministry will also step up promotional activities for premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo, on the back of this export. In November, it plans to operate "premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo, gourmet tours" and "cooking classes" for foreign tourists visiting Korea so they can directly experience the taste and quality of premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo. In cooperation with the tourism industry, it will also develop consumption tour programs for tourists with high per capita spending focused on premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo.
Vice Minister Kang Hyeong-seok said at the ceremony, "The UAE export is not merely about adding one more export destination for premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo; it is meaningful as a formal entry into the 1.9 billion halal market," adding, "We will bolster support, including local promotional events, to further expand exports of premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo, while also working to secure new markets through quarantine negotiations."