South Korean pork imports were up 15% year-on-year for the first half of 2018, at 294,400 tonnes.
Bethan Wilkins, analyst at AHDB, says the unexpected import growth has perhaps been supported by inconsistent growth in domestic production.
USDA forecasts had anticipated a 3% growth in South Korean pork production in 2018, and indeed for the year to June, slaughterings have been 4% higher year-on-year.
However, after a strong performance in January, slaughterings since have actually been quite variable, and average only 2% above year earlier levels for February-June.
The US remained the dominant supplier of pork to South Korea, with volumes increasing by a third on year earlier levels to reach 107,600 tonnes. Germany and Spain also remained the second and third largest suppliers, shipping 56,200 tonnes and 36,700 tonnes respectively. However, while this was an 11% growth on 2017 levels for Spain, German shipments were actually back around 1%.
