Korea's heat-treated poultry exports to Vietnam have been approved, accelerating K-food's push into the Southeast Asian market.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) announced Tuesday that sanitary and quarantine negotiations for heat-treated poultry were finalized on the sidelines of the Korea-Vietnam summit, with exports now permitted with immediate effect.
Vietnam is a key consumer market of 100 million people, with its meat market valued at approximately $11 billion. Demand for processed meat products has been rising rapidly amid urbanization and income growth, fueling expectations among Korean industry players.
The government has pursued negotiations since 2017 to export poultry products such as ham, sausage, samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), and nuggets. The latest agreement is seen as securing a practical foothold for market entry.
Two domestic processing facilities — operated by Harim and CJ CheilJedang — received initial approval from the Vietnamese government under the deal. The government plans to continue discussions to expand the list of approved facilities.
The MFDS said its participation in the Asia Pacific Food Regulatory Authorities Summit (APFRAS) and its safety management system based on global Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) standards played a key role in building trust with Vietnam and sealing the agreement.
On the sidelines of the summit, MAFRA also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Vietnam on animal sanitary and quarantine cooperation. The MOU is expected to accelerate export negotiations for other livestock products, including hanwoo (Korean native cattle) and heat-treated pork.
"This negotiation is a case in which regulatory diplomacy led to tangible export results," MFDS Commissioner Oh Yu-kyoung said. "We will continue to strengthen the global competitiveness of K-food." MAFRA Minister Song Mi-ryung added, "This will serve as a turning point for expanding livestock exports amid an uncertain trade environment."
