Non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

Production of non-rendered pig fat in South Korea grew consistently from 89.8 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 97.0 thousand tonnes in 2023. This expansion continued even during the African Swine Fever outbreak in 2020, as improvements in animal productivity and feed management helped offset potential herd losses.

Market volume fluctuated, declining to 105.0 thousand tonnes in 2020 due to reduced imports following the ASF outbreak, then recovering to a peak of 114.3 thousand tonnes in 2022. This sharp rise was driven by growing consumer demand for premium segments such as grass-fed and organic pork, alongside the introduction of new pork processing technologies that stimulated consumption.

In 2023, market volume eased to 110.5 thousand tonnes. Extreme weather events impacted livestock farms, while shifts in import patterns, including the resumed supply of German pork, influenced supply. Throughout the period, tighter veterinary drug regulations, notably the Priority Managed Substance List system, enhanced product safety and maintained consumer confidence.

Production non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea ranked as the world's 13th largest producer of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat.

Top producers of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat, 2017-2020

South Korea's production of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 94.8 K t, marking a slight increase of 2.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 9.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Korea in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat from South Korea

Exports in kind, t

Exports of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat from South Korea fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 0.3 t, a sharp decline of 68.0% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, exports dropped by 91.5%, averaging an annualized decrease of 56.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Laos served as the primary and nearly exclusive market for South Korea's exports of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat, accounting for 93.7% of total shipments.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from South Korea in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an erratic pattern during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a fourfold difference between these years. In 2020, South Korea exported 8 K $ US of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat, representing a significant rise of 283.3% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 K $ US, while the largest decline occurred that same year, at 74.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, two major markets—Laos and Hong Kong—dominated South Korea's exports in value terms, together making up 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from South Korea in value, 2017-2020

Imports non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat to South Korea

Imports in kind, t

South Korea's imports of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 10 226 t, down by 38.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 38.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 14.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 19 198 t, with the largest increase also occurring that year, at 15.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017–2020, the United States and Canada formed a dominant pair for South Korea's imports in kind, jointly accounting for 83.7% of total flows, while other countries made up the remainder.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to South Korea in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, South Korea's imports of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat declined. In 2020, the country imported 17 483 K $ US, showing a substantial drop of 21.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 6.8%, averaging an annualized reduction of 2.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 22 187 K $ US, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 12.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Canada together absorbed 86.1% of South Korea's total imports in value terms for non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat, with the rest distributed among smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to South Korea in value, 2017-2020