May 16, 2011

South Korea is US beef largest importer in Q1

South Korea was the world's biggest importer of American beef in the first quarter of 2011, less than three years following a national argument over mad cow disease that resulted in mass protests on streets.

The USDA said on Friday (May 13) in Washington that Korea imported 132.86 million pounds (60,265 tonnes) of American beef in the first quarter, a three-fold increase from a year ago and close to Korea's import of the meat for all of 2009 (63,817 tonnes). Korea accounted for 21% of American beef exports.

Mexico had typically been the biggest importer of American beef, followed by Japan and Canada. Korea surpassed Mexico for the first time to become the world's largest market for the meat.

Mexico ranked second with 122.85 million pounds, close to last year's level. Japan came next with 92.29 million pounds, up 63% on year.

A major reason for the surge in American beef imports is regained confidence. Consumer fears of mad cow disease had grown since reports of some media and left-wing groups released in 2008 that were eventually proven inaccurate.

Another reason is that the supply of domestic beef in Korea plunged after foot-and-mouth disease hit the country in late November last year. Korea imported a similar volume of American beef in January but the figure has surged since February due to massive culling of Korean cattle in the month.

Japan also sharply raised imports of American beef in the first quarter as the Fukushima nuclear accident raised fears over food security.