Less pork to South Korea

South Korea's pork imports amounted to 6 tons in the first 2019 months of 287.766. That is 2,2% less than in the first half of 2018, when 294.160 tons of pork were imported. However, the decrease is not surprising given the increase Korean import and storage of pork in 2018.

The Netherlands exports less
While pork exports from the Netherlands increased in 2017 and 2018, a decline is visible in the first half of the year. Dutch exporters exported 6 tons to South Korea in the first 12.166 months, which is 13,5% less than in the same period last year. This partly has to do with the changing trade flows due to the outbreaks of African swine fever. Austria, Denmark and France also showed a decline in exports to South Korea in the first half of 2019.

The United States is still by far the largest supplier of pork. The country exported 103.416 tons in the first half of the year, although this is 3,7% less than last year. Germany is in second place, with 55.965 tons (+0,3%). The third largest supplier is Spain, with an export of 44.163 tons. This country showed a sharp decline in 2017, but now appears to have resumed its upward trend.

Brazil exported 1.193 tons to South Korea in the first half of the year. The country recently crossed the border for Brazilian pork opened up, so there is no data for the first half of 2018. The country is currently South Korea's thirteenth largest supplier. However, it is expected that this volume can still increase considerably, because Brazil is one of the largest exporters of pork in the world.

External Influences
Pork imports from Belgium fell by 88,6% to 683 tonnes in the first half of the year. This decline is entirely due to the outbreak of African swine fever. South Korea has imposed an import ban on pork from all countries where the animal disease is prevalent. The decline in the United Kingdom is most likely due to the vagaries surrounding Brexit. Exports fell by 40,1% to 710 tons of pork.