SEOUL – A report released Wednesday said that South Korea had become the largest export for American beef in September.

Local media reports said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) showed exports to the northeastern Asian country hitting $89.24 million, or 28 percent of exports for the month.

South Korea reopened its markets to American beef in June after a new import deal was signed. The agreement sparked months of protest by a public worried over the possibility of mad cow disease. The agreement was modified so that only meat from cattle less than 30 months old was sent to South Korea.

The USDA reportedly said that exports to South Korea surpassed those for Mexico and Canada, the next two largest importers of U.S. beef. It also exceeded the $29.7 million in beef sent to Japan.

The reports said that for the year, South Korea was the fourth largest importer.

Source: Yonhap News Agency