South Korea Targets Key Agricultural and Livestock Exports for 2026

South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) has announced its key export negotiation items for 2026, focusing on expanding market access for a range of agricultural and livestock products. The initiative aims to bolster the growth of K-food exports and strengthen international trade relationships.

Identifying Priority Exports

The selection of these key items followed a demand survey conducted in January of this year, targeting both the export industry and domestic producer groups. This survey, combined with an assessment of overseas marketability – including local demand – and domestic production capacity, informed the final list. The Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) played a crucial role in identifying viable export opportunities [aT America].

Agricultural Exports in Focus

Seven agricultural products have been prioritized for export quarantine negotiations in 2026:

• Grapes (Peru)
• Pears (Türkiye)
• Persimmons (Philippines)
• Melons (China, Vietnam, and the United States)
• Paprika (Chile)
• Citrus Fruits (Uzbekistan)
• Cut Flowers (Modern Zealand)

Livestock Product Expansion

Alongside agricultural products, five livestock items are also central to the export strategy:

• Beef (Indonesia, China)
• Heat-treated Pork (EU, USA, China, Vietnam)
• Heat-treated Poultry (Vietnam)
• Pet Food (China, Canada, Malaysia)
• Companion Animals (Singapore)

Building on Past Successes

This initiative builds upon successful quarantine negotiations concluded in 2025, which resulted in agreements for 11 items with 8 countries. Notably, following an agreement at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November 2025, exports of Jeju Korean beef and pork to Singapore commenced on December 1st, with 53 tons exported within the following two months [Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs].

Collaboration and Monitoring

MAFRA plans to collaborate closely with related agencies and organizations to prioritize these items in ongoing quarantine negotiations. Regular inspections and product-specific export councils will be utilized to monitor progress and address any challenges that arise. Jeong Yong-ho, International Agricultural and Food Cooperation Officer at MAFRA, emphasized the commitment to expanding the global reach and consumption of Korean agricultural products.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs was established in 1948 and is responsible for areas including crop insurance, land reclamation, and agricultural technology development [Wikipedia].