Korea seeks resumption of hanwoo export

Korea is moving to resume export of hanwoo (traditional Korean beef), which has remained suspended after the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 2000.

According to the National Agriculture Cooperative Federation on Friday, Hoengseong Chukhyeop (livestock cooperative federation) contacted meat importers in Beijing and Shanghai, China and Hong Kong late July, and discussed possibility for export of Hoengseong hanwoo. “We received positive responses from there,” a source at Chukhyeop told The Dong-A Ilbo. “We will also invite Chinese importers to the Hoengseong Hanwoo Festival in October.”

Hoengseong Chukhyeop is taking steps to export hanwoo, predicting that Korea will regain the status of a country free from foot-and-mount disease in May next year. Foot-and-mouth disease is an infectious livestock disease that occurs in hoofed and even-toed mammals, including cows and pigs. Following outbreak of foot-and-mount disease in 2000, Korea had to suspend its hanwoo export, which was primarily shipped to the Asian region. If export is resumed anew, it will be the first overseas shipment since 2000.

Hoengseong Chukhyeop expects hanwoo will be competitive in export markets because it is as good quality as wagyu, Japanese beef, but relatively cheaper than the latter.