Korean Consumers Committed to U.S. Beef

In Korea, political turmoil, trade uncertainties and economic challenges have not slowed consumers’ appetite for U.S. beef. Through the first 10 months of 2025, U.S. beef exports to Korea are 3% higher in both volume (194,407 mt) and value ($1.85 billion) compared to the same period in 2024. U.S. beef exports to Korea will surpass $2 billion for the fifth consecutive year in 2025, accounting for nearly a third of Korea’s total beef consumption.

The sustained growth in U.S. beef exports to Korea is a testament to U.S. industry efforts toward building confidence among consumers in the safety of U.S. beef. When U.S. beef re-entered the Korean market in 2008 after a lengthy BSE-related closure, less than 10% of consumers trusted its safety. A consumer survey from Dec. 2025 shows that, for the third consecutive year, more than 70% of respondents expressed confidence in the safety of U.S. beef.

Support from the Beef Checkoff Program and USDA have played a critical role in this effort.