Korean cattle slaughter totalled 252,318 head during the first four months of 2010 - a decline of 12% compared to the same period in 2009.

Hanwoo (native) cattle slaughter for the first four months of 2010 dropped 11% on-year, to 198,298 head, as the industry dealt with foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks. Beef cattle (non-Hanwoo breed) slaughter dropped 22% for the same period, to 32,975 head, while dairy cattle slaughter remained steady at 21,046 head this year.

With the decline in domestic beef production, demand for imported beef surged, rising 16% on-year.

While total Korean cattle slaughter declined over the four month period, domestic chicken and pig slaughter increased 7% and 6% on-year, respectively, reports said.