USDA-FAS GAIN report KS2023-0014 released on September 7th, quantified poultry meat production and consumption in South Korea. For 2023, domestic production will attain 930,000 metric tons. Approximately 75 percent of this total will comprise conventional broilers harvested at 1.6 kg. live weight. The second category comprises a domestic hybrid comprising a cross between a white-feathered broiler and an egg-producing, brown-feathered strain grown to 0.85 kg. and accounting for 17 percent of production. The remainder will be derived from indigenous chickens consumed at the subsistence level.
South Korea will import 225,000 metric tons of poultry meat principally as bone-in products but will export 60,000 metric tons of poultry meat resulting in a net import volume of 165,000 metric tons in 2023 representing 15.3 percent of consumption. Assuming a population of 52 million with consumption of 1,080,000 metric tons, per capita consumption is estimated at 20.7 kg. (45.7 lbs.).
Currently, Brazil supplies 75 percent of imported chicken with Thailand 20 percent, China 3 percent and the U.S. 2 percent. Outbreaks of HPAI in the U.S. during 2015 and then subsequently in 2022 impacted exports together with “unresolved trade policy issues”.
Drumsticks were stated to represent 81 percent of imports.
The price comparison incorporated in the report suggests a wide differential between domestic retail and CIF prices. The retail price for domestic legs is $2.62/lb. By comparison, imported prices for legs from four supplying nations comprise, U.S. $0.78, Brazil $0.99 (deboned?), Denmark $0.96 and Thailand $1.11.
Given the magnitude of imports and domination of supply by Brazil, the USAPEEC and USDA should apply commensurate effort to resolve outstanding issues relating to trade policy and contrived ineligibility as a result of HPAI.