Taiwan scored a major victory in its efforts to find new markets for agricultural exports with South Korea agreeing to open the door to poultry products from four Taiwanese food processors, a Council of Agriculture spokesman said Monday.

The council began to negotiate with its South Korean counterpart through Taiwan's representative office in Seoul for poultry product exports last May, the spokesman said.

In the course of months of negotiations, South Korea unveiled health regulations concerning the import of Taiwanese poultry products last November, and sent food safety officials to Taiwan for field surveys in December.

Satisfied with the quality control measures and facilities of four Taiwanese poultry product companies, South Korea announced earlier this month that these four companies may commence exporting poultry products to its market.

According to COA officials, the largest market for Taiwanese poultry products is Japan, which imported 5,100 tons last year worth about NT$1.2 billion (US$36.66 million).

With South Korea opening its door, the officials said, local poultry products manufacturers will enjoy an increase in their revenues.