Even though the volume of pork imported for the first seven months of 2006
increased nearly 20% over the same period last year, it was a far cry from the
49.4% increase in 2005 and 44.2% percent increase in 2003, as stated by the Korean Customs Service.
One reason cited for the slowdown was that traders may be scaling back on
purchases in anticipation of the opening of the South Korean market to the
resumption of the US beef trade, expected in October.
It was also suggested that Chile, supplying nearly 10% of South Korea's
imports, lowered production this year.
