Korean Meat Industry Leaders Join USMEF for 20th Anniversary Celebration
Published: Dec 07, 2011
Several hundred leaders of the South Korean meat industry, including importers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, trade media writers, academics and others, gathered in Seoul last week for a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the opening of USMEF’s Seoul office.
"The evening was a wonderful tribute to USMEF and our Korean partners who, for the last 20 years, have focused on excellence,” said Steve Isaf, president and CEO of Interra International and chairman-elect of USMEF, who presented awards to six members of the Korean meat industry for their leadership. “Excellence in the service and products brought to market were celebrated, but I was even more struck by the genuine warmth of the friendship between Korea and the U.S.”
The event highlighted both the important role U.S. beef and pork products play in Korea as well as the role USMEF-Korea has played as U.S. pork has risen to be the No. 1 imported pork in Korea while American beef is the No. 2 imported beef – and rising.
“Not only has USMEF conducted educational and marketing campaigns through which it promoted a whole new style of cuisine based on meat, but it contributed in a remarkable fashion to the way that the Korean public enjoys meat,” said Jongsun Choi of the Korea Meat Import Association. “For the last 20 years, USMEF has always stood by the Korean meat industry and the two have gone through the ups and downs hand-in-hand.”
The growth of U.S. pork imports into Korea and the resurgence of U.S. beef volumes has been a cause for excitement in the Korean meat industry, which actively encouraged USMEF to celebrate and commemorate the anniversary and its successes. Numerous Korean companies supported the 20th anniversary event with sponsorships as well as gifts and prizes for the attendees, and more than 300 turned out for the celebration.
The leaders of the Korean meat industry who were honored at the event for their leadership over the years are:
- Importers Kwang Suk Lee of Zenith, Ansoo Park of Hanjoong Food (the leading importer of chilled U.S. beef) and Kyounghu Han of Koem Indus (Korea’s largest processed pork importer)
- Ian Kim, owner of Goo Stk 528, a restaurant that pioneered the sale of prime U.S. steaks at a time when the 2008 anti-U.S. beef street protests in Seoul were still fresh in people’s minds
- We Hyoung Lee of Meat Business Consulting Center, a long-time advisor to USMEF and its members in Korea
“I am honored that I was selected for this plaque of appreciation,” said Ansoo Park of Hanjoong Food. “I have imported U.S. meat for more than 23 years and greatly appreciate the support of USMEF. I expect that U.S. beef and pork will gain many benefits from the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, and I will work hard for the U.S. beef and pork market in Korea.”
USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng welcomed the Korean meat industry guests and noted that the trading relationship between the U.S. and South Korea will enter a new era in its already strong partnership with the passage of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.
“The United States and Korea have a bond that goes back more than 60 years,” said Seng. “With the approval of the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement, we will see this relationship blossom and true borderless global trade will benefit consumers, producers and exporters on both sides.”
Of course, U.S. beef and pork were the highlight of the meal. Dinner included beef strip loin steak, chuck flap sushi and braised pork belly. Support for the event was provided through the USDA Market Access Program and the Beef and Pork Checkoff Programs.
Commenting on the challenges that U.S. beef has faced in Korea, Mark Tokola, deputy chief of mission from the U.S. Embassy, noted: “The steady recovery of U.S. beef sales to Korea since 2008 is an impressive success story – a real testament to the quality and value of American beef. Through the hard work of USMEF here in Korea and the work of all of you here tonight, U.S. products are enjoying increasing sales.”
Tokola also noted that the recent approval of the Korea-U.S. FTA is “a further sign of the times…once implemented, it will deepen our already strong ties and strengthen our political and economic relationship.”
That sentiment was echoed by Myung Hwan Baek of Zenith, a meat importer who attended with one of his key customers.
“Thank you for holding this celebration and inviting me,” said Baek. “This will go a long way toward increasing the loyalty of customers to U.S. beef and pork.”
Through the first nine months of 2011, South Korea is the fourth-largest market for U.S. pork exports (No. 5 in value), buying 153,330 metric tons (338 million pounds) valued at $395.1 million, increases of 139 percent in volume and 189 percent in value over 2010.
USMEF-Korea Director Jihae Yang noted for the attendees that “meat imports are no more mere alternatives to domestically produced meat. They have become an indispensable part of the food supply.” Of that growing need for imported red meat to satisfy Korea’s domestic demand, the Global Trade Atlas cites the United States as No. 1 with a 33.6 percent market share of imported pork to 13.7 percent for No. 2 Canada, and No. 2 in beef with a 39.2 percent to Australia’s 49.8 percent.
Korea is the fifth-largest market for U.S. beef (No. 4 in value), buying 119,044 metric tons (262.4 million pounds) valued at $527.7 million, increases of 45 percent in volume and 37 percent in value over last year.
USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng welcomed the Korean meat industry guests and noted that the trading relationship between the U.S. and South Korea will enter a new era in its already strong partnership with the passage of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.
“The United States and Korea have a bond that goes back more than 60 years,” said Seng. “With the approval of the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement, we will see this relationship blossom and true borderless global trade will benefit consumers, producers and exporters on both sides.”
Of course, U.S. beef and pork were the highlight of the meal. Dinner included beef strip loin steak, chuck flap sushi and braised pork belly. Support for the event was provided through the USDA Market Access Program and the Beef and Pork Checkoff Programs.
Commenting on the challenges that U.S. beef has faced in Korea, Mark Tokola, deputy chief of mission from the U.S. Embassy, noted: “The steady recovery of U.S. beef sales to Korea since 2008 is an impressive success story – a real testament to the quality and value of American beef. Through the hard work of USMEF here in Korea and the work of all of you here tonight, U.S. products are enjoying increasing sales.”
Tokola also noted that the recent approval of the Korea-U.S. FTA is “a further sign of the times…once implemented, it will deepen our already strong ties and strengthen our political and economic relationship.”
That sentiment was echoed by Myung Hwan Baek of Zenith, a meat importer who attended with one of his key customers.
“Thank you for holding this celebration and inviting me,” said Baek. “This will go a long way toward increasing the loyalty of customers to U.S. beef and pork.”
Through the first nine months of 2011, South Korea is the fourth-largest market for U.S. pork exports (No. 5 in value), buying 153,330 metric tons (338 million pounds) valued at $395.1 million, increases of 139 percent in volume and 189 percent in value over 2010.
USMEF-Korea Director Jihae Yang noted for the attendees that “meat imports are no more mere alternatives to domestically produced meat. They have become an indispensable part of the food supply.” Of that growing need for imported red meat to satisfy Korea’s domestic demand, the Global Trade Atlas cites the United States as No. 1 with a 33.6 percent market share of imported pork to 13.7 percent for No. 2 Canada, and No. 2 in beef with a 39.2 percent to Australia’s 49.8 percent.
Korea is the fifth-largest market for U.S. beef (No. 4 in value), buying 119,044 metric tons (262.4 million pounds) valued at $527.7 million, increases of 45 percent in volume and 37 percent in value over last year.