South Korea reopens market for German pork
Ban lifted after resolution of FMD concerns; exports resume under ASF conditions
SOUTH KOREA – South Korea has reopened its market to pork and pork products from Germany after lifting the import restrictions that had been in place since January 2025.
The ban was introduced following a single case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) detected in the Brandenburg region earlier this year, prompting the temporary suspension of exports.
According to Germany’s Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMLEH), the Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) officially removed the restrictions on October 23, 2025.
This decision now allows German pork exporters to resume shipments to South Korea, provided they continue to meet the existing requirements concerning African swine fever (ASF).
The BMLEH also announced that an updated veterinary health certificate has been published to align with the renewed export conditions.
South Korea’s Role in German Pork Exports
Before the suspension, South Korea ranked among the most significant non-EU markets for German pork, particularly for products such as pork bellies.
In 2024, the country was Germany’s third-largest non-EU buyer of pork after the United Kingdom and Vietnam, importing around 51,000 tons, including by-products.
In terms of export value, South Korea was the second most lucrative non-EU destination for German pork, generating approximately US$164 million in revenue.
These figures highlight the importance of the South Korean market to Germany’s pork sector, which had been temporarily affected by the FMD-related export halt earlier in the year.
Conditions and Trade Framework
While FMD-related restrictions have now been lifted, export requirements linked to ASF remain unchanged under the regionalization agreement between the two countries.
The agreement, established in May 2023, allows pork exports from unaffected regions of Germany even when ASF cases occur in certain areas.
This framework has enabled Germany to maintain limited access to several Asian markets despite previous disease outbreaks within Europe.
With the FMD issue resolved, German exporters can once again serve South Korean buyers, particularly those sourcing premium pork cuts for food service and retail channels.
Industry observers view the reopening as a stabilizing development for Germany’s meat export sector, which relies heavily on Asian demand to balance domestic market fluctuations.
For now, the restoration of trade flows marks a return to normalcy between the two countries’ pork industries, following months of export disruption and veterinary negotiations.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
