Lotte International ranks No. 2 in Wagyu Branded Beef Competition

[Courtesy of Lotte International Co.]

South Korea’s Lotte International Co. ranked second at the 2024 Wagyu Branded Beef Competition (WBBC) held in April by securing two gold medals and two silver medals across five categories.

The WBBC, held in Queensland, Australia, on April 10, is hosted annually by the Australian Wagyu Association (AWA). It is often referred to as the World Cup of the Wagyu industry.

Lotte International embarked on its Wagyu business by acquiring Sandalwood Ranch in Australia, becoming the first Korean company to do so in 2019.

In the recent competition, Lotte surpassed leading local companies with over 30 years of experience, including Marubeni.

Sandalwood Ranch, operated by Lotte International, boasts a herd of 16,000 cattle, making it the largest cattle farm operated by a Korean company worldwide.

With a focus on Wagyu business, Lotte International has been accumulating a database of 20,000 Wagyu cattle over five years, integrating Korean beef farming expertise. The company has been recruiting local experts to further enhance its Wagyu business operations.

Lotte International has gained attention in overseas markets with the launch of its L’grow brand.