The ROK and Singapore Finalize the Export Deal for Juju Island-Produced “Hanwoo” Beef and Pork at the APEC Summit

Sejong, 2 November 2025 — On 2 November 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of the Republic of Korea (ROK) has announced that, on the occasion of the summit between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Singapore held during the APEC South Korea 2025, quarantine negotiations for the export of Jeju Island-produced “hanwoo” beef and pork to the Republic of Singapore have been concluded, thus enabling an immediate export. The bilateral summit has been held on 2 November 2025.

The Republic of Singapore relies heavily on imports for its meat supply, and its meat market has been growing steadily at an average annual rate of 5.5% (from
USD 3.1 billion in 2019 to USD 3.9 billion in 2023). Recognizing the Republic of Singapore as a promising export destination, the MAFRA has worked closely with relevant Korean agencies since 2018 to pursue quarantine negotiations with the Singaporean authorities for the export of Korean “hanwoo” beef and pork.

As a result of the concluded negotiations, a total of four facilities (two slaughterhouses and two meat processing plants) inside the Republic of Korea have been approved for export to the Republic of Singapore. All of the four facilities, inspected by the Singaporean authorities during their on-site visit to Jeju Island in August 2025, have received final approval. This achievement demonstrates international recognition not only of the Republic of Korea’s advanced quarantine and disease control systems but also of the high hygiene and safety standards maintained by individual companies. The outcome is expected to contribute positively to future export negotiations.

In particular, with the conclusion of quarantine negotiations for “hanwoo” beef exports to the Republic of Singapore, the number of the markets that Korean “hanwoo” beef can be exported to has been increased to a total of six—Hong Kong, China; Malaysia; the United Arab Emirates; the Kingdom of Cambodia; Macau, China; and the Republic of Singapore. With both chilled and frozen “hanwoo” beef products now approved for shipment to the Republic of Singapore, such shipment is expected to meet the diverse preferences of Singaporean consumers.

The MAFRA has also announced that quarantine negotiations for the export of Korean processed egg products (e.g. smoked eggs), which had been conducted jointly with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of the Republic of Korea, have also been completed, thus allowing exports to the Singaporean market.

H.E. SONG Miryung, Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of the Republic of Korea said: “The conclusion of these quarantine negotiations during the APEC summit is expected to serve as an important stepping stone in driving the global popularity of K-Food. The MAFRA will continue to actively pursue quarantine agreements to facilitate the entry of Korean livestock products, including “hanwoo” beef and pork, into new overseas markets.”