ABP Food Group has become the first Irish beef processor to launch in the South Korean market by securing an export agreement with K Meat, a premium meat importer.
This long-term supply agreement has seen ABP deliver three shipments to date from its locations in Monaghan, Tipperary, and Wexford.
The official announcement will be made later this week as part of the trade mission to China and South Korea led by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, charlie McConalogue and Minister of State, Martin Heydon.
As part of the first leg of the two-nation trip, members of the ministerial trade mission joined ABP in China to visit its customer Dalin Rongze, a food service business servicing high-quality restaurants in Beijing, and AP Shanghai Food Company Ltd., in Shanghai, which supplies Fresh Hipo, a retail chain for groceries and fresh goods.
It has 273 self-operated stores, primarily located in tier-one and tier-two cities in China.
ABP has maintained a constant supply of beef to the Chinese market since the lifting of a restriction on Irish beef imports in May 2020, with all of ABP’s seven Irish sites producing beef products for China.
General manager of ABP international sales, ABP Food Group, Martin McMahon said: “Our extended presence in Asia marks a significant step forward for both ABP and the Irish beef sector as a whole.
“China and South Korea are extremely important markets and there is a great opportunity for quality Irish beef in the food service and retail spaces.
“ABP would like to thank and recognise the Department of Agriculture and Bord Bia for their tremendous work in helping to establish and build on this important trade channel. We would encourage continued efforts for further access in both markets.”
Chief executive, Bord Bia Jim O’Toole said: “The launch of Irish beef in Korea is the culmination of years of relationship building with Korean trade supported by significant government efforts to gain access.
“Since access was achieved four months ago, there has been immediate interest from the Korean trade who recognise that Irish beef offers a premium, grass-fed alternative to their existing portfolio.
“Bord Bia has the in-market expertise to support ABP and other exporters looking to grow their trade in this dynamic market.
“We will present a valuable insight study on beef conducted with Korean consumers to better understand their taste preferences. We look forward to fully debriefing Irish beef exporters on this in the coming weeks.”
In May 2018, ABP became the first European beef processor to secure a contract in China when it secured an exclusive three-year agreement with Asian restaurant chain Wowprime Corporation.
In 2019 the company reached a deal with Beijing Hopewise Ltd., to launch a range of premium Irish beef products on JD.com, one of the largest business-to-consumer online retailers in China and a Fortune Global 500 Company.
