Hadong Hanwoo to Be Served in Dubai... First Export to UAE

Eight Heads of Hadong Solip Hanwoo to Be Halal Processed
and Air-Shipped to UAE
Expanding Beyond Hong Kong to Enter the Middle Eastern Market

Hadong Solip Hanwoo, a Hanwoo beef brand from Hadong-gun, South Gyeongsang Province, is being exported to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the first time.

According to an announcement on September 9, Hadong-gun and Hadong Livestock Agricultural Cooperative hosted the first export loading ceremony for the UAE at the Hadong Livestock Agricultural Cooperative Hanaro Mart, with the attendance of Kim Hyunsoo, mayor of Hadong-gun, Kim Gooyoung, chairman of the Hadong Livestock Agricultural Cooperative, and officials from livestock-related organizations and groups.

The export volume for the UAE this time is eight heads of cattle, and including this shipment, Hadong Solip Hanwoo’s cumulative export volume for 2026 totals 46 heads of cattle.

[Photo by Hadong-gun] Hadong-gun and Hadong Livestock Agricultural Cooperative held the first export shipment ceremony of "Hadong Solip Hanwoo" to the UAE at the Hadong Livestock Agricultural Cooperative Hanaro Mart, with Kim Hyunsoo, Mayor of Hadong-gun, Kim Guyoung, Chairman of Hadong Livestock Agricultural Cooperative, and officials from related livestock organizations and groups posing for a commemorative photo.

The exported cattle will be slaughtered and processed in halal method at Hoengseong KC Co., Ltd., a halal-certified company, on September 15, before being shipped to the UAE.

Notably, the beef will be supplied to the local market in fresh, chilled form via air freight, instead of as frozen meat.

Hadong Solip Hanwoo began its overseas exports by entering the Hong Kong market in 2016, and has continued exporting since then. With this shipment to the UAE, Hadong-gun plans to expand its export regions from its previous focus on Hong Kong to the broader Middle East.

In the UAE, especially around Dubai, there is strong demand for premium beef from hotels and restaurant operators. Because various international beef brands, including Japanese Wagyu, have already entered the market, competition is expected to increase.

Hadong-gun and Hadong Livestock Agricultural Cooperative plan to target the local market by emphasizing Hanwoo’s quality, rarity, halal certification, and fresh beef air transport rather than competing solely on price.

They also aim to carry out promotional activities targeting local hotels, restaurants, and specialty distribution outlets, and will consider expanding exports to other Middle Eastern markets, such as Saudi Arabia, depending on how the UAE market responds.

An official from Hadong-gun stated, “Through the first export to the UAE, we plan to assess the competitiveness of Hanwoo and consumer reactions in the Middle Eastern market. We will review ways to expand exports after studying local distribution networks and consumer markets.”

Since this export marks the initial stage of entering the UAE market, whether exports can be further expanded will depend on various factors, including local consumer response, price competitiveness, securing distribution channels, and the ability to maintain a stable supply volume.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.