South Korea lifts import ban: German pork is celebrating a comeback!

South Korea lifts import ban: German pork is celebrating a comeback!

In a welcome turnaround for German agriculture, South Korea lifted the import restriction on pork from Germany on October 31, 2025. The reason for this decision was an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Germany, which led to an import ban in January this year. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture announced the reopening of the market, highlighting the importance of South Korea as one of the most important third country markets for pork and pork products.

Last year, Germany exported an impressive 51,000 tons of pork to South Korea. The restrictions were introduced following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the spring, when the disease was detected in three water buffaloes in Brandenburg. In order to prevent the spread of the disease, animals in the affected farms were killed as a precautionary measure. Due to these measures, several countries had imposed import bans on German products.

All-clear and economic prospects

Despite the initially alarming situation, the disease did not spread further and the authorities were able to give the all-clear in mid-April. This led to the lifting of the containment zone in the Märkisch-Oderland and Barnim districts, allowing farmers a slow return to normality. Nevertheless, the economic losses were significant; the agricultural sector suffered heavy losses.

Federal Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer (CSU) is optimistic and plans to reduce the remaining export restrictions with other trading partners such as the USA and Japan. Discussions with Canada on similar topics are already underway. These developments brighten the outlook for German exports after the recent FMD outbreak was the first in Germany in over 35 years.

A deeper look at foot and mouth disease

Foot and mouth disease is a highly infectious viral disease that not only affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, but can also affect zoo and wild animals. The disease is harmless to humans, but it can be transmitted through humans. The monitoring and necessary measures to contain such outbreaks are of enormous importance for animal husbandry.

In another corner of the world, in the Star Wars galaxy, there are also stories of conflict and power games. One character who embodies this perfectly is the Sith Lord Darth Maul, known as the Shadow during the Empire's reign. Born the son of the leader of the Nightsisters, he was trained by Darth Sidious to hate the Jedi and act as a weapon. His shocking story shows how revenge and the pursuit of power intertwine in the galaxy.

Finally, back to realnational cuisine: An often overlooked but extremely useful tool is the Bird's Beak Paring Knife, also known as the Tourné knife. This knife features a curved blade that makes it ideal for precise work and detailed tasks such as peeling and wrapping ingredients. The special shape allows first-class control and safety when cutting. A must-have for anyone who works with small quantities, not just for professional chefs.

The return of German pork to the South Korean market is a breath of fresh air for the economy, while the stories of characters like Darth Maul and the usefulness of kitchen tools remind us that the world is full of exciting challenges and opportunities, whether in agriculture or in the imagination.