The head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA), said this new step represents a further step in the effort of producers and authorities on health and safety to reach new market niches.

"It's an historic event for the pork industry in western Mexico as it makes this region accessible to the Korean market and it certainly will, in the medium term, bring about a profound change for the livestock sector," he said.

It has been revealed that the state of Chihuahua has a Rastro TIF license for exports of pork and beef for the same Korean market.

"This growth is due to the efforts made by Mexican producers on health and safety, as has been the key that opens up new international markets," he said.

Currently, countries like Russia and Japan have increased demand for Mexican meat and is now opening up new market opportunities in Korea.

Cruz Sanchez explained that the Federal Government has increased more than four times the investment in infrastructure for health and safety in order to provide primary producers tools to help meet the demand of domestic and international consumers.

He noted that in January 2012, about 500,000 tons of pork was processed in the TIF establishments which are authorized for export to international markets.