Jeju's First Export of Edible Horses to Japan

On April 6, 2025, Jeju Island began its first-ever export of edible horses, sending 30 fattened horses to Japan. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first time that horses raised in Jeju for consumption have been exported. According to the Jeju government, these horses departed from Jeju Port, passed through Busan Port, and are now en route to Japan. This export follows the Japanese government's approval in November 2024 of revised sanitary conditions for importing Korean horses.

The export is the result of efforts by the government and exporting companies since 2017 to amend Japan's regulations regarding the export of edible horses. The horses being exported are descendants of the Belgian and Percheron breeds, known for their excellent meat quality and marbling. Both breeds originated in Europe and are utilized as fattened horses in Japan.

The horses weigh between 700 to 800 kg and are aged 3 to 4 years. They will undergo a fattening process in the Kumamoto region of Japan for 3 to 6 months before being processed for distribution. Currently, the edible horses consumed in Jeju are hybrids of the Jeju horse, weighing around 400 kg.

To facilitate this export, Jeju has established a dedicated task force in collaboration with the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, the provincial animal health department, and the animal hygiene testing laboratory, completing a 30-day domestic quarantine process.

Kim Hyung-eun, the director of the Jeju Agricultural, Forestry, and Food Department, stated, "This export was made possible through a partnership between a local farm in Jeju and a Canadian meat company, which took about a year to prepare. We plan to promote the quality of Jeju horses internationally and diversify our export markets."