Ardee-Based ABP Food Group Breaks Ground in South Korean Beef Market
ABP Food Group, headquartered in Ardee, has made history as the first Irish beef processor to launch in the South Korean market. The company secured a significant long-term supply agreement with K Meat, a leading premium meat importer in South Korea with advanced sales channels across the country. This landmark deal has already seen ABP successfully deliver three shipments of Irish beef from its facilities in Monaghan, Tipperary, and Wexford.
The official announcement of this milestone will be made later this week as part of a trade mission to China and South Korea, led by Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue and Minister of State Martin Heydon. This agreement not only marks ABP’s entry into South Korea but also underscores the growing global footprint of Irish beef.
As part of the first leg of the trade mission, members of the Ministerial delegation joined ABP representatives in China to visit key customers, including Dalin Rongze in Beijing and AP Shanghai Food Company Limited in Shanghai. These companies are pivotal players in the Chinese food service and retail sectors, and ABP has maintained a steady supply of beef to China since the lifting of import restrictions in May 2020.
Martin McMahon, General Manager of International Sales at ABP Food Group, hailed the company’s expansion into South Korea as a major advancement for both ABP and the broader Irish beef industry. “Our extended presence in Asia marks a significant step forward for both ABP and the Irish beef sector as a whole,” McMahon stated. “China and South Korea are extremely important markets, and there is a great opportunity for quality Irish beef in the food service and retail spaces.”
McMahon also expressed gratitude towards the Department of Agriculture and Bord Bia for their crucial role in establishing this new trade channel. He emphasized the importance of continued efforts to expand market access in both China and South Korea and expressed optimism about building on customer relationships in these key Asian markets.
ABP has a strong track record of pioneering new markets. In May 2018, the company became the first European beef processor to secure a contract in China, landing an exclusive three-year agreement with the Asian restaurant chain Wowprime Corporation. The following year, ABP expanded its reach in China by partnering with Beijing Hopewise Ltd to launch premium Irish beef products on JD.com, one of the largest online retailers in the country and a Fortune Global 500 company.
With its successful entry into South Korea, ABP continues to demonstrate its leadership in the global beef market, while also reinforcing the reputation of Irish beef as a premium product on the world stage.