Korean Beef (Hanwoo) to Be Exported to Malaysia

Korea-Malaysia Negotiations Concluded
First Export Expected by Late April

The export route for Korean beef (Hanwoo) to Malaysia has opened. The first export to Malaysia is expected to be possible as early as the end of April.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 28th that exports became possible following the conclusion of bilateral negotiations for the export of Hanwoo beef to Malaysia.

Since October 2016, the Ministry has been conducting quarantine negotiations with the Malaysian government for Hanwoo beef exports and reached an agreement on import sanitary conditions in February 2020. Since January last year, various efforts have been made to improve facilities and train specialized personnel to obtain halal-exclusive slaughterhouse approval for one domestic slaughterhouse. In particular, during January and February this year, officials from the Malaysian Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) conducted on-site inspections of the slaughterhouse. After final review by the Malaysian government, export facility approval was obtained for the slaughterhouse.

With the conclusion of this export negotiation, the countries to which Hanwoo beef can be exported now total four: Hong Kong, Macau, Cambodia, and Malaysia. The first export of Hanwoo beef to Malaysia is expected to be possible around the end of April.

The Ministry plans to actively promote Hanwoo beef exports in line with the conclusion of the Malaysia export negotiations. They will hold Hanwoo tasting events by inviting local Malaysian buyers and distributors in connection with K-FOOD export events to promote the excellence of Hanwoo. Additionally, considering the high popularity of Korean Wave (Hallyu) culture in Malaysia, events combining Hanwoo and Hallyu will be actively pursued.

Jung Hyeryeon, Director of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "To further expand Hanwoo beef exports, we will actively push for the conclusion of ongoing quarantine negotiations with Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines," adding, "We will also continuously explore new markets in Europe and the Americas."