Arya News - As of the end of June, hanwoo exports to Singapore had reached US$840,000, while handon recorded its first-ever exports to the country.
SEOUL – Premium Korean beef and pork are gaining traction in Singapore, as exports make their debut in the market.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. (aT) said last week that marketing efforts targeting Singapore’s premium food market have accelerated since quarantine procedures for Jeju Island-produced hanwoo and handon — Korean beef and pork, respectively — were completed in November 2025.
As of the end of June, hanwoo exports to Singapore had reached $840,000, while handon recorded its first-ever exports to the country.
The products made their full-scale market debut in January with a launch event at Marina Bay Sands, one of Singapore’s best-known landmarks. Organized in cooperation with the Hanwoo and the Handon Self-Help Fund, the event brought together Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryeong, chef Ahn Seong-jae, Singaporean food safety officials, importers, distributors and media representatives.
The event highlighted the quality of Korean premium livestock products while also showcasing other high-end Korean food products, including strawberries and Shine Muscat grapes.
The government and aT are now seeking to turn initial market awareness into consumer demand through the Meet the K-Meat Festival, a promotional campaign targeting Singapore’s premium dining sector from late June through August.
The campaign kicked off June 29 with a showcase jointly hosted by COTE Singapore, a globally recognized steakhouse, and Korean brand Geumdaeji Restaurant. Organizers said the event demonstrated that Korean hanwoo and handon can compete with established premium products such as Japan’s wagyu beef and Spain and Portugal’s iberico pork.
Participating restaurants have also developed new dishes featuring Korean meat, including Jeju hanwoo noodle hot pot and crispy Korean pork bulgogi.
From July 1 to Aug. 30, six restaurants — DRIM, GU, Bedrock Bar & Grill, Ju Shin Jung, Sodeng and COTE Singapore — are joining the promotions. A Korean premium traditional liquor pairing event is also being held in cooperation with the Embassy of South Korea in Singapore.
Jeon Gi-chan, director of export foods at aT, emphasized the importance of expanding the local consumer base for sustainable export growth.
“We will expand our collaboration beyond premium restaurants to more mainstream dining channels to raise awareness of hanwoo beef and handon pork and continuously broaden the consumer base,” Jeon said.
Meanwhile, Korea’s agricultural, forestry, livestock and food exports to Singapore totaled $110.8 million in the first half of 2026, up 18.2 percent from a year earlier. Strawberry exports reached $19.21 million, up 26.1 percent, while sauces rose 40.8 percent to $7.14 million and instant noodle exports increased 10.4 percent to $6.1 million.