Irish officials head to Korea to expand food trade

Cows graze on open pasture in Ireland. Courtesy of the Embassy of Ireland in Seoul

The Irish government will lead a trade mission to Seoul as part of a broader push to strengthen food and agriculture exports to Asia. The visit will be led by Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, and will include top officials from Bord Bia, Ireland’s food promotion agency.

Heydon is scheduled to be in Seoul on June 9 and 10 for high-level meetings with his Korean government counterparts. Discussions will focus on improving market access, deepening trade relations and promoting Ireland’s sustainable and premium food offerings.

“Korea is a priority market for Irish food and drink exports,” Heydon said. “This mission is about building on the strong trade relations we’ve developed and opening new avenues for collaboration.”

The trip follows a significant milestone in 2024, when Irish beef gained access to the Korean market after years of negotiations. The move has opened new opportunities for Irish exporters amid rising demand for high quality beef in Asia.

“Sustainability is increasingly a key factor for Korean buyers,” Heydon said. “Ireland is well-positioned to meet this demand through our Origin Green program, which guarantees sustainability across all stages of food production.”

Origin Green is Ireland’s government-backed food and drink sustainability initiative, supporting environmentally responsible farming and supply chain practices.

Jim O’Toole, CEO of Bord Bia, noted that market research has shown growing consumer interest in beef for health reasons in Korea.

“This aligns perfectly with Ireland’s naturally produced, grass-fed beef, underpinned by rigorous quality assurance,” O’Toole said. “We’re committed to delivering high quality, sustainable food that meets the needs of Korean consumers.”

O’Toole added that the Irish delegation looks forward to meeting importers, distributors and retailers. For the first time, Ireland will host a national pavilion at the Seoul Food trade show, showcasing four Irish meat exporters: ABP, Agrakepak, Liffey Meats and QK Meat.