July 17, 2026

South Korea to raise import quota for soybeans used to grow bean sprouts

The South Korean government said on July 13 that it will expand the low 5% tariff import quota for soybeans used to grow bean sprouts by 10,000 tonnes, from 17,450 tonnes to 27,450 tonnes.

The move comes after bean sprout producers raised concerns that a shortage of soybean supply could push up prices. About 90% of soybeans used for bean sprout cultivation consumed in South Korea are imported, and about 10% are domestic.

On the day, the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said they will increase the 2026 market access volume (Tariff Rate Quota, or TRQ) for soybeans used to grow bean sprouts by 10,000 tonnes from next month through the end of the year. The TRQ adjustment can be made by revising the government's "Partial Amendment to the Rules on Increasing Market Access Volumes."

TRQ is a system that allows certain quantities of government-designated key food security crops to be imported at a low tariff. The government introduced the TRQ system during the process of concluding the Uruguay Round and free trade agreements (FTA). The government sets a TRQ each year for major crops.

The government kept the TRQ cap in place considering the recent increase in domestic edible soybean production. However, after bean sprout producers raised concerns that the supply of soybeans for bean sprout cultivation was tight and prices could rise, it decided to expand the cap.

An official at the Agriculture Ministry said: "Bean sprout prices have not surged right now, but we took into account the recent rise in inflation concerns."

- Chosun Biz