South Korea: Poultry and Products Annual

Korea's chicken industry is poised for modest growth in 2026, with production set to increase 0.5 percent despite supply constraints in parental stock broilers. Consumption is forecast to rise by 2 percent to 1.1 million MT, driven by competitive pricing, product diversification, and heightened demand during major international sporting events. Imports are expected to grow by 9 percent, supported by lower prices compared to domestic chicken. While a temporary ban on Brazilian poultry imports due to avian influenza disrupted supply in mid-2025, speedy adoption of regionalization policies allowed imports to resume from HPAI-free areas of Brazil. Exports are projected to remain steady at 65,000 MT, with Vietnam as the primary market for frozen layer hens and limited heat-processed products reaching new international markets.