February 4, 2009

South Korea imported 4,933 tonnes in December, down 20.6 percent from November, according to government sources.

Consumer concerns on US beef and unfavourable exchange rates have hurt demand, said the sources.

In November, beef imports from the US also fell 20.1 percent from October, said the state-run Korea Agro-Fisheries Trade Corp.

In terms of value, US beef imports fell 21.1 percent to US$28.5 million December, after declining 19.5 percent in November from October.

The decrease is in contrast to strong US beef imports in from July to October last year.

On the other hand, Australian beef imports rose 9.5 percent to 12,798 tonnes in December from a month ago.

The decline of US beef imports may reflect lingering consumer concerns on the product's safety, as well as unfavourable exchange rates, according to industry sources.