According to USDA-FAS GAIN Report KS2024-19 released on September 12th, domestic broiler production in Korea will increase by one percent to 945,000 metric tons in 2025. This projection is based on the volume of breeding stock placed. Imports will rise by 2.5 percent over 2024 to 200,000 metric tons. Exports of 65,000 metric tons are nominal representing 5.6 percent of total supply. Given a population of 56 million per capita consumption will attain 19.3 kg (42.4 lbs.) in 2025.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is currently under control after 3.6 million chickens were depopulated on 32 farms during the 2023-2024 outbreak. Of this quantity, 201,000 broiler parent flocks were lost on two farms. Depletion in the broiler segment of the poultry industry was limited to 80,000 commercial growing birds. Egg- producing flocks on fifteen farms represented 88 percent of birds depopulated.
Consumption of broiler meat in South Korea is moving towards small packs of portions, meal kits and convenience items given the preponderance of single and two working-member households.
Imports by country of origin in 2023 confirmed the dominance of Brazil at 72 percent of volume, with Thailand the second largest supplier. The U.S. held one percent of the market in 2023 mainly due to cost and product considerations but was limited by unresolved trade policy.