Hanwoo Exports Up 60%, But Market Concentration and Quarantine Barriers: One Hurdle After Another

Hanwoo exports are growing rapidly. Export volume through September of this year increased by more than 60% compared to the same period last year, and Hanwoo from the Hoengseong Livestock Cooperative was shipped to Qatar for the first time on the 13th. The government has also presented a plan to link Hanwoo with the global K-Food export promotion system. However, 88% of export volume is concentrated in the two markets of Hong Kong and Singapore, and on-site issues such as slaughter and quarantine procedures for export and restrictions on market access due to livestock diseases remain unresolved.

It is pointed out that for the Hanwoo export industry to build a constitution commensurate with its outward growth, it must go beyond the achievement of sending initial shipments to new countries and establish a foundation that enables exporters to stably procure meat of the required specifications and grades and respond to repeat orders.

Export volume increased by 60.4%... Export value rose by 65.7%

The Hanwoo beef export volume for January to September 2026 compiled by the Korea Meat Trade and Export Association (KMTA) is58,703 kg...increased by 22,111 kg (60.4%) compared to the same period last year. Export value during the same period was$4,012,800 (FOB)It increased by $1,591,600 (65.7%).

It is also noteworthy that the growth rate of export value is 5.3 percentage points higher than the growth rate of volume. However, since the sales proportion by country and product composition that affect the average export unit price have not been confirmed, it is difficult to immediately interpret this as a price increase for individual parts.

Hong Kong and Singapore account for 88%... Concentration revealed amidst growth

cardDuring the same period, 30,517 kg of Hanwoo beef was exported to Hong Kong, accounting for 52.0% of the total. Singapore followed with 21,152 kg (36.0%). The volume exported to these two markets was 51,669 kg, representing the total export volume.88.0%It reaches.

The remaining export volume is in the order of UAE 2,551 kg (4.3%), Malaysia 2,307 kg (3.9%), and Mongolia 2,176 kg (3.7%). This means that even as overall exports increase, demand is concentrated in a small number of countries.

While market concentration offers the advantage of existing clients serving as a stable demand base, it also carries the risk that changes in economic, distribution, or quarantine conditions in specific markets can significantly impact overall export performance. This is why pioneering new markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia is crucial.

First Shipment of Hanwoo to Qatar… What’s More Important Than the 80.8kg Is the ‘Next Order’

On the 13th, Hoengseong KC and Hoengseong Livestock Cooperative [signed] Hoengseong Livestock Cooperative Hanwoo80.8kgIt was shipped to Qatar for the first time. This is the first achievement following the agreement reached between the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Qatar Ministry of Public Health last September regarding export sanitary conditions and the format of quarantine certificates for boneless beef.

This export is between Hoengseong KC, which holds Halal slaughter certification, and a local distributor in Qatar.The Meat MarketIt was promoted through cooperation. Locally, a Hanwoo tasting event is scheduled for hotel chefs and influencers on the 18th, and for Qatari government officials and diplomatic representatives on the 19th.The event schedule is based on the plan as of October 14.am.

The initial export volume is too small to discuss commercial scale. However, it is significant in that it supplied Hanwoo to a new market, such as Qatar, which requires meeting Halal and quarantine requirements. Moving forward,Can tastings and promotions lead to actual purchase contracts and repeat orders?It appears that this will determine the success or failure of market expansion.

Grilled meats account for 48% of volume and 62% of export value.

The value-added structure of Hanwoo exports is also confirmed in performance by cut. According to data compiled by the Korea Meat Export Association2025 Support Performance of the Voucher Program for Hanwoo Export Companies by CutIt amounted to 53.4 tons and $3,397,400. Among these, grilling cuts such as sirloin, tenderloin, and striploin accounted for 25.6 tons, or 48.0% of the volume, but the export value was $2,107,800, accounting for approximately 62.0% of the total value.

Meat products amounted to 24.4 tons, accounting for 45.7% of the volume but 33.2% of the export value. Among grilling products, sirloin (15.1 tons), striploin (8.2 tons), and tenderloin (1.9 tons) were identified as major export items.

This data illustrates a structure where premium grilling cuts drive Hanwoo exports. However, if overseas sales increase primarily for premium cuts, sales channel strategies that can absorb both lean meat and other cuts domestically and internationally also become crucial.It is necessary to consider the premiumization of specific parts and the economic feasibility of the entire conductor simultaneously.

※ The figure of 53.4 tons by cut in 2025 is based on the export company voucher support criteria, and the scope of aggregation differs from the total Hanwoo export performance for the same year. It was also not compared with the cumulative total from January to September 2026 using the same criteria as a continuous time series.

Government to Foster Hanwoo for Next K-Food… Pushing to Expand Export Support System

At a meeting regarding livestock product exports on the 12th, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural AffairsGlobal NEXT K-Food ProjectThe implementation plan was explained, and industry opinions were gathered. The proposed strategic product group included fresh agricultural and livestock products, including Hanwoo beef.

This project fosters regional strategic items while supporting collaboration and joint marketing among companies.Value-up, strengthening brand awareness and distribution base in overseas marketsBrand-up, supporting the development and prototype production of new export productsStart-upIt consists of the following.

The plan is to support overseas marketing and product development tailored to the capabilities and product characteristics of individual exporters. However, the materials released today...Implementation Plan and Strategic Item Group (Draft)This explains that the individual selection of Hanwoo exporters and the amount of support have not all been finalized.

National Hanwoo Association: “Must Overhaul Everything from Export Statistics to Brand Logos”

At the same meeting, (inc.)National Hanwoo Associationis capable of accurately assessing the scale and performance of the Hanwoo export industryindependent export statistics systemThey suggested this as a priority task. They pointed out that current major statistics are difficult to distinguish solely Hanwoo exports because they are compiled as a whole or have varying scopes regarding the inclusion of processed products.

According to the 2025 performance figures presented by the association, the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency's beef quarantine statistics showed 71,155 kg, while the total for all beef-related items from KATI (aT) was 171,192 kg, and the figure narrowed down to 14 items from the same KATI was 76,975 kg. The export performance of Hanwoo by the Korea Meat Export Association was 67,454 kg. The very fact that different populations and aggregation methods cannot be simply compared demonstrates the need for improvement in the statistical system.

Another suggestion isJoint brand management of the ‘Hanwoo Export Logo’The Korean Beef Association pointed out that it is difficult to form a consistent brand image due to the inconsistent use of the logo in overseas markets and the complex approval procedures. Accordingly, they proposed a global joint CI usage manual and guidelines, an online approval system, and linkages with overseas sales promotion support programs.

In addition, regarding the NEXT K-Food Project, the opinion was expressed that the roles among existing Hanwoo export support organizations should be clarified and marketing strategies considering the market characteristics of each country should be applied. The direction proposed by the association is as follows:Deepening existing markets in Hong Kong, fostering a second hub in Singapore, pioneering the premium market in the UAE, and selectively expanding distribution channels in Malaysia.It is the back. This isProposal by the Korean Beef AssociationAs such, it must be distinguished from the government's final confirmed policy.

Meat Export Association: “Slaughter for export first, grading later… heavy burden on raw beef”

Korea Meat Distribution and Export AssociationIn the ‘Suggestions for Promoting Livestock Product Exports’ drafted on October 7, it pointed out the slaughter and quarantine procedures for Hanwoo cattle intended for export as a key obstacle.

Under the current system, Hanwoo cattle intended for export undergo quarantine at the slaughter stage after being registered for export. When a specific brand exporter secures raw cattle from brand farms and entrusts them to slaughter, it is difficult to accurately determine the final grade of the individual cattle prior to slaughter. If the quality falls short of the grade required by the overseas buyer after completing export quarantine, the exporter must purchase additional raw cattle, and the unsuitable stock must be diverted for sale in the domestic market.

To alleviate these additional purchasing costs and the burden of shifting to the domestic market, the associationTo allow Hanwoo slaughtered for domestic consumption at export slaughterhouses to be converted for export through a post-slaughter quarantine applicationThey requested that the system be improved. They also pointed out that there are cases of exporting carcasses from some auction markets through post-auction quarantine applications.

Call for ‘Regionalization’ Agreement to Maintain Export Routes Even Affected by Foot-and-Mouth Disease and African Swine Fever Outbreaks

The association also cited the improvement of quarantine agreements as an urgent task. Citing the issue where export destinations are restricted in the event of outbreaks of livestock diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease and African Swine Fever (ASF), the association argued that rather than viewing the entire country as a single risk zone...The concept of ‘regionalization’ that distinguishes non-occurring areas at the city/county or city/province levelIt was suggested that this be actively reflected in the quarantine and sanitary agreement.

The rationale is that concluding regional agreements with major importing countries creates the possibility of continuing exports from regions that meet quarantine conditions, even in the event of a disease outbreak. However, actual export approval depends on the importing country's consent and the fulfillment of hygiene and quarantine requirements in the relevant region. The association also made additional recommendations to resolve the issue of delays in approving beef export processing plants in Hong Kong and to foster specialized pork brands.

Different requirements, a single task… Building a foundation for repeat exports

The growth strategy proposed by the government focuses on creating new demand and sales channels. In response, the Korean Hanwoo Association emphasized statistics, joint brand management, and the implementation system for support programs, while the Korea Meat Export Association highlighted costs arising from grading, slaughter, and quarantine, as well as issues regarding market access.

Although everyone has a different perspective on the issueWe must transition Hanwoo exports from a focus on one-time events or trial volumes to a sustainable trading structure.They are related in this respect. As export markets expand, it becomes necessary to secure raw materials and grades that meet the demands of overseas buyers, reduce quarantine uncertainties, and establish a statistical basis to accurately measure export performance.

The next step in Hanwoo exportsHow many countries were the first shipments sent?Not, but in the newly opened marketHow reliably repeat orders are generatedIt depends on.

The first export of Hoengseong Hanwoo to Qatar is one of the starting points. For the government's K-Food promotion policy to lead to substantial industrial growth, it appears that improvements to the field infrastructure—such as raw meat procurement, slaughter and quarantine, joint brand operations, and export statistics—must be carried out in parallel with marketing support.

Behind the 60% growth in Hanwoo exports lie market concentration and institutional challenges. Future competitiveness is expected to be determined by how quickly the industrial foundation is established to convert the success of initial exports into sustainable revenue.

data: Korea Meat Export Association Hanwoo Export Performance (by cut in 2025 · cumulative as of September 2026), Livestock Management Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, “Meeting Materials for Consultation on Livestock Product Exports” (October 12, 2026), Korea Meat Export Association, “Suggestions for Promoting Livestock Product Exports” (October 7, 2026).

The scope of aggregation for the 2025 statistics by sector and the overall annual statistics differs, and the business and country-specific strategies presented in the meeting materials are divided into the proposal/planning stage and the finalization stage. Growth rates are figures compared to the same period of the previous year.

Note: Public press release regarding the first export of Hoengseong Hanwoo to Qatar on October 13