July 20, 2010

American beef exports to South Korea up 66%

US beef exports to South Korea were up 66% through May on-year, reaching 37,117 tonnes and in effect making South Korea the third-largest market for US beef exporters behind Mexico and Canada.

Industry sources said US beef made up more than 30% of South Korean beef imports in the January-May period, while Australian beef accounted for nearly half of all beef imports.

Prior to South Korea's ban on US beef in 2003, US beef accounted for some 67% of all beef imported by South Korea.