Korea seeks wider halal recognition to tap Muslim markets

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung speaks during a press conference at the ministry's office in Sejong, Monday. Courtesy of Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

The government will begin diplomatic efforts to further expand Korea’s network of partner countries under mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) for halal certification, aiming to boost Korean food exports to global Muslim markets, according to the agriculture minister on Monday.

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung said in Sejong that the government will focus on expanding the agreements to support domestic private halal certification agencies. The more agreements Korea has with halal certifying authorities in other countries, the more Muslim markets Korean food producers can access directly, without having to request inspections by foreign authorities for halal labeling approval.

Halal certification requires producers to comply with Islamic dietary regulations throughout the entire process, from ingredient preparation to manufacturing, storage and logistics. Private halal certification agencies in Korea with global mutual recognition agreement networks can evaluate Korean food products and approve them as halal on behalf of foreign halal authorities.

“The most important thing is for the government to concentrate its efforts on the MRA issue so that Korean food companies can export more,” Song said during a press conference at the ministry’s headquarters. “We plan to invite halal experts from overseas to Korea and listen to their consultations. These measures will improve the current trade environment among nations, governments, private agencies and companies across Korea and global Muslim markets.”

Indonesia, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are currently Korea’s key targets for MRA expansion, according to the government.

A booth at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, showcases dishes made with Korean beef for visitors, Jan. 28. Courtesy of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Song’s followed her attendance at Gulfood 2026, the largest international food trade show in the Middle East, held in Dubai from Jan. 26 to 30. Korean companies signed 14 memorandums of understanding worth $8 million at the event.

The most popular K-food items at the show were globally trendy products such as gimbap (seaweed rice rolls with various ingredients), tteokbokki (rice cakes simmered in spicy red pepper paste) and instant noodles, as well as fresh produce such as berries and Shine Muscat grapes. Korean beef, known as "hanwoo," was also among the standout items. A hanwoo livestock farmers’ cooperative in Gangwon Province began exporting the Korean beef to Dubai last September, marking Korea’s first hanwoo export to the Middle East.

Song also visited Singapore on Jan. 30, where Korea currently exports hanwoo and pork. The Singaporean government approved the health and safety standards of both meats last November, allowing their entry into the local consumer market. Last week, the Korean ministry hosted an event in Singapore celebrating the launch of Korean meat products, inviting about 160 guests to the Marina Bay Sands hotel.

“People in Singapore said hanwoo has a balanced flavor that neither Japanese wagyu nor American and Australian beef has. I agreed with Korean celebrity chef Ahn Sung-jae when he said during the event that a little bit of salt is enough to enjoy hanwoo’s juicy flavor,” Song said. “Singapore, with its high average income level and advanced gastronomic industry, could be a critical market for K-foods.”

The Korean government has set aside more than 700 billion won ($478 million) in subsidies for exporting firms and designated 30 overseas embassies as “K-food export bases” to promote Korean food products.