British farmers regain access to South Korean poultry market

SOUTH KOREA – British poultry farmers are now able to export their products to South Korea after restrictions were lifted. 

The ban had been in place since 2020 due to concerns about avian influenza. 

Earlier this year, the UK was declared free of the disease, allowing trade discussions to successfully reopen access to the valuable market.

South Korea’s poultry imports are primarily sourced from Brazil, Thailand, the United States, Hong Kong, and Denmark. 

In 2022, South Korea imported $478 million worth of poultry, with the largest share coming from Brazil, followed by Thailand and the U.S. 

Chicken imports into South Korea hit a record 216,000 tons last year, marking a 22% increase compared to 2021. 

In the first half of 2023, imports continued to rise, growing by 38.5% year-on-year to reach 136,000 tons.

The reopening of the South Korean market comes just days after a similar announcement that UK poultry exports to South Africa would resume after an eight-year hiatus. 

In 2016, UK poultry exports to South Africa surpassed US$40M, making it a significant market. 

Meat industry representatives have welcomed the market’s reopening following the export ban.

Exports to Antigua have also resumed after the Caribbean country lifted a ban that had been in place since 2021.

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) welcomed the return of these export markets. 

AIMS spokesperson Tony Goodger noted that while the return to South Korea, South Africa, and Antigua is positive, British traders are still hoping for the reopening of exports to Saudi Arabia.

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