U.S. meat delegation visits top-ranking Korean market

A delegation of U.S. meat producers visited Korea to learn about its meat consumption, as the country becomes the top importer of affordable American beef.

The Heartland Team samples menu items featuring American beef at a restaurant in Jongno District, central Seoul, during an event hosted by the U.S. Meat Export Federation on Tuesday. [USMEF]

A delegation of U.S. meat producers visited Korea to learn about its meat consumption, as the country becomes the top importer of affordable American beef.

The Heartland Team, consisting of producers and industry representatives from the United States involved in beef, pork, corn, and soybeans, recently explored the meat distribution system and culinary culture in Korea, focusing on the use of U.S. meat. The event was coordinated by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (Usmef) and took place over two days, on Monday and Tuesday.

Usmef is a nonprofit organization that works in close collaboration with various American producer groups to facilitate the distribution and consumption of U.S. red meat in the Korean market. Their activities also include informing domestic consumers and those in the distribution and food service industries about information and issues related to U.S. meat.

"The primary objective of the visit is to gain hands-on experience in the entire process of U.S. meat distribution and consumption within the Korean market," a spokesperson for the Federation said. "While individual members of the Heartland Team have previously visited Korea, the recent surge of interest in the Korean meat market prompted the group's first visit."

Korea's imports of American beef in the previous year reached $2.7 billion, making it the largest importer of American beef for two consecutive years following 2021, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. At the same time, American beef has consistently held a dominant position in the Korean imported beef market for six consecutive years.

Following a case of mad cow disease in the U.S. in 2003, imports of American beef were temporarily halted in Korea. Imports resumed for beef from cattle younger than 30 months in 2008, however, concerns over mad cow disease and consumer mistrust lingered. Nevertheless, the rising price of domestic Korean beef and the increasing popularity of steak have contributed to a shift in perception regarding American beef.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]