Brazilian pork exports could benefit from zero-tariff import quotas announced this week by South Korea, according to an assessment by the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA).

South Korea, one of the main destinations for Brazilian exports of chicken meat and one of the largest global importers of pork, is expected to release a quota of 50,000 tons from June without import tariff.

The quota is open to all countries that hold plants empowered to export to the South Korean market, including Brazil.

Currently, only production units in the state of Santa Catarina (which until recently was the only federative unit recognized as free of aphthous without vaccination) are empowered to ship pork to the Asian country.

It is expected that soon states such as Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul will also be recognized by South Koreans, in the wake of the recognition of these states as free of aphthous without vaccination by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

The announced measure is part of a series of tariff suspensions published by the South Korean government as "Stabilizing the cost of living and the cost of food" and aims to reduce inflationary impacts.

According to the president of the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA), Ricardo Santin, the measure could positively impact shipments of pork from Brazil to the Asian country.

"Given the international context and the growing Brazilian presence in the Asian country, especially after the image and promotion action carried out last year by ABPA in conjunction with ApexBrasil and the Brazilian Embassy in Seoul, Brazilian exports are expected to influenced by this opportunity open to qualified exporters. The quota is an opportunity to generate important currencies for the productive sector, which faces great difficulties at the moment", explains Santin.

Between January and April, South Korea imported 2,600 tons, a volume 85.5% higher than in the same period last year. Sales to the market generated revenue of US$ 7.2 million in the first four months of this year, 133% higher than realized in the period 2021.

Source: Canal Rural