South Korea has agreed to open its market to Irish beef for the first time.
The development comes after intensive negotiations between Korean authorities and the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, including a visit to South Korea by Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue as part of a trade mission last year.
"South Korea was designated as a priority market for Irish access for Irish beef and my Department has been active in pursuit of this objective for many years.
"For beef, the door has now been opened and there is a real opportunity for the industry to build on," Minister McConalogue said.
"With a population of over 50 million people there is huge potential for Irish agri-food exporters to grow their footprint in the sophisticated Korean market," he added.
The news that exports to the Asian country have opened was confirmed earlier today and followed an audit of Irish beef plants by Korean authorities last month. Seven Irish plants received approval from Korean authorities including Dawn Meats, Kepak, ABP Slaney Foods and Liffey Meats.
Last year Irish beef exports were worth €2.7 billion, over half of which went to the UK.
A total of 48% went to EU countries and just 5% or €128 million was exported to other third countries, including the USA, Canada, China, Japan and the Philippines.
South Korea already imports dairy, seafood and pork products from Ireland, a trade that was worth €47 million last year.
