In 2008, Korean citizens protested the return of U.S. beef to the market following a 2003 finding of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Now, according to the latest consumer perception survey, a record 70% of Korean consumers say U.S. beef is safe, and nearly 70% say they intend to consume U.S. beef. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Vice President of Asia Pacific Jihae Yang said remarkable progress has been made.
Yang, who headed USMEF’s Korea office during the market reopening, said support from the Beef Checkoff Program and USDA played a critical role in this effort.
Yang added that Korea is currently the leading destination for U.S. beef exports and has been the #1 value market for the U.S. beef for two consecutive years – including a record $2.7 billion in 2022- which would not have been possible without our beef producers and their long-term investment in the Korean market.
For more information, visit usmef.org.
