The Korea International Trade Association has recorded a significant increase of U.S. beef imports in South Korea, allowing for the U.S. to account for more than 50 percent of the country’s imported market.
South Korea imported 7.9 percent more beef in the January-October period compared to last year, totaling more than 209,000 tons of beef.
This is the first time the U.S. has held a share of more than 50 percent of the country’s market since a bovine spongiform encephalopathy outbreak closed down the market in 2003.
Imports reached $1.54 billion during the recorded period, up 10.4 percent on-year. U.S. beef has held the No. 1 import spot in the country since South Korea fully opened its import market in 2001.
