South Korea lifts decades-long ban on U.S. pet food with ruminant ingredients

SOUTH KOREA – For the first time in over two decades, South Korea is reopening its market to U.S. pet foods containing ruminant ingredients, following strict new import health requirements (IHRs) to mitigate the risks associated with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease.

The updated IHRs, released by Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), took effect on Jan. 14 and opened the door for expanded U.S. pet food exports while aligning with Korea’s evolving risk assessment for the fatal bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). 

The new IHRs represent the culmination of negotiations that started in 2003 when South Korea banned the import of U.S. pet food containing ruminant ingredients following the discovery of the first BSE case in the United States. 

Despite the resumption of U.S. beef imports, pet food containing ruminant ingredients remained restricted. 

The United States formally requested market access for such products in 2006 and again in 2018, pushing for the inclusion of both U.S.-originated ruminant ingredients and those sourced from countries with low BSE risk. 

After extensive reviews, MAFRA’s Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) established the revised requirements to address potential risks.

Under the new regulations, pet food manufacturers must adhere to stringent standards related to ingredient sourcing, production conditions, and facility inspections. The rules apply to pet food for dogs, cats, ferrets, and hamsters. 

To ensure compliance, U.S. manufacturing facilities must undergo inspections by the Korean government, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) coordinating the approval process with APQA.

For existing exporters, there is a transition period. Pet food already imported into Korea in the past year may continue entering the market under the existing health certificate until Dec. 31, 2025. 

However, new-to-market products containing ruminant ingredients must fully comply with the updated IHRs before being imported.

Going in tandem with a booming pet food market

The timing of these regulatory changes aligns with the rapid growth in South Korea’s pet food market. 

Pet ownership in the country has surged, driven by lifestyle shifts, smaller household sizes, and an increasing tendency to treat pets as family members.

According to a 2023 KB Financial Group survey, pet adoption rates rose between 2020 and 2022, partially fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Market data reflects this expansion. The South Korean pet food sector, valued at US$1.32 billion in 2025, is projected to reach US$1.98 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.38%. 

While imported pet food historically dominated the market, imports declined in 2023 for the first time in over a decade, likely due to growing local competition. 

The United States remains the second-largest supplier of imported dog and cat food, accounting for 15.96% of the market by value and 18.12% by volume.

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