South Korean beef poised for export to Malaysia by end-April

South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on Tuesday the successful conclusion of negotiations with Malaysia, allowing for the export of Korean beef to the Southeast Asian country.

After nearly five years of discussions and inspections, the two countries have agreed on import hygiene conditions, with the ministry receiving final approval for the deal following inspections from January to February this year.

Since January last year, it has been promoting exclusive approval for halal products for a domestic slaughterhouse and has finally received final approval after inspections from January to February this year.

This latest development brings the number of countries able to import Korean beef to four, including Hong Kong, Macau and Cambodia.

The ministry expects that it will be able to export Korean beef to Malaysia for the first time at the end of next month. The ministry plans to invite local importers and distributors in Malaysia to hold a Korean beef-tasting event and promote events related to the Korean Wave.

Write to Jung-hwan Hwang at jung@hankyung.com