Trade mission to 'promote Ireland’s reputation in agri-food' in South Korea and Japan
(Left to right) Minister for agriculture, food, fisheries and the marine, Martin Heydon, chef Yuji Hayashi, chef Yuki Inoue, chef Kenzo Nishizawa, and Bord Bia CEO Jim O’Toole. The chefs were formally inducted this week into the Chef’s Irish Beef Club.
This week, a major Irish agri-food trade mission is taking place in the Republic of Korea and Japan.
Led by minister of agriculture, Martin Heydon, in collaboration with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland, the trade mission will include two ministerial meetings and visits to three cities, including two markets, two trade receptions, with 12 commercial engagements focusing on Ireland’s high-quality, sustainably-produced beef, dairy, consumer foods, and seafood.
A total of 22 Irish companies are participating in the two legs of the trade mission, and the Japanese leg will have a particular focus on driving awareness of Irish drinks, including three drinks activation events.
Speaking on the opportunity in the Republic of Korea, minister Heydon said: “The focus of this trade mission is to build on and promote Ireland’s reputation in agri-food in the Republic of Korea and Japan, and the wider Asia region.
"The trade mission will take in Seoul Food, Korea’s largest international exhibition for the food, drink, hotel and food service industry and Expo 2025 in Osaka, which is expected to attract more than 28 million visitors, with participation by 160 countries, providing high-profile opportunities to showcase Ireland as a source of high-quality food, including dairy products, meat, seafood, drinks, prepared consumer foods and food ingredients, which satisfies the growing demand for such produce in this region.”
Total agri-food exports to South Korea amounted to €39m or 0.2% of all Irish agri-food exports by value, amounting to 11,000t. In 2024, dairy produce represented the largest segment of Ireland’s agri-food export value to South Korea, worth €15m. Pigmeat was the second most valuable export at €7.4m.
South Koreans are the highest per-capita consumers of meat in Asia, with consumption of 60kg per person, of which 17kg is beef. Projections of beef consumption among South Koreans are expected to increase by 1%.
Last year, South Korea imported almost 500,000t of beef, with 92% coming from the United States and Australia, which could provide major opportunities for Irish beef suppliers.
“Irish beef gained access to the Korean market in 2024, which was a significant achievement. I was delighted to be in Seoul last September for the launch of Irish beef on the market. This week is about building on the excellent relationships, both official and commercial, we have developed in the Republic of Korea and Japan, to strengthen and expand the relationships,” explained minister Heydon.
Bord Bia CEO, Jim O’Toole, said this mission aims to build further connections with importers and distributors, particularly for beef.
“The Republic of Korea is the most valuable beef market in Asia and should be seen as a long-term, stable opportunity for the Irish beef industry," he said.
“This trade mission is about deepening existing key trade relationships with customers and targeting new business opportunities, particularly around food service and in retail via e-commerce platforms,” Mr O’Toole added.
Minister Heydon also said that he was pleased with a senior officials meeting in Seoul to discuss trade and co-operation opportunities between the Republic of Korea and Ireland, at which his team were able to stress that they would welcome the approval of further meat plants to supply beef.
Speaking on prospects with Japan, minister Heydon said: “Japan is an important trading partner for Ireland, the third largest destination for Irish agri-food exports outside of Europe. In recent years, we have seen this relationship grow and strengthen across a broad range of products.
"I was delighted to see Irish Premium Oysters recently launched into the Japanese market and to see demand continue to increase for Irish agri-food products.”
Japan is the third-largest destination for Irish agri-food exports outside of Europe. In 2024, exports were valued at €173m, an increase of 181% since 2014, and an increase of 49% since 2018.
The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement has been in force since 2019. Over time, 85% of EU agri-food exports (in tariff lines) will be allowed to enter Japan entirely duty-free.
Japan was identified by Bord Bia as a priority market with high potential growth for Irish dairy, drinks, meat and seafood products. Irish agri-food exports to Japan have now exceeded €1bn since 2019.
During the trade mission, three Japanese chefs joined Bord Bia’s first Asian Chapter of the Chef’s Irish Beef Club. Chefs Yuji Hayashi (The Momentum by Porsche), Yuki Inoue (Ristorante La Bisboccia), and Kenzo Nishizawa (Trattoria Da Kenzo) were formally inducted this week into the international club.
Japan is the second biggest beef importer in the world and in recent years Irish beef tongue has surged in popularity. Irish drinks, particularly whiskey, have also seen a surge in recent years, with exports to Japan growing 32% to €10.9m in 2024.
The 0.2% figure was amended on 12/6/2025 in light of new information from the Department of Agriculture.
