Korea posts record beef imports in January

South Korea imported 87,162 metric tons of beef in January 2026, marking the highest monthly volume on record, according to data from the Korea Customs Service. The figure represents a 39.8% year-on-year increase, reinforcing Korea’s position as the world’s fourth-largest beef importer.

The gain amounted to an additional 24,809 MT compared to January last year, with increases reported across all major suppliers except Canada. On a month-to-month basis, volumes surged nearly eightfold after four consecutive months of declines.

Part of the sharp rebound reflects the common practice of importers holding cargo at ports or in bonded warehouses to take advantage of the reset of lower tariff quotas on January 1.

The strong start to 2026 signals a continuation of the recovery in Korea’s imported beef demand that began in 2025, supported by both supply-side factors and improving domestic consumption trends, Urner Barry reported.