Korea plans to increase imports of eggs and hatchlings for the remainder of 2021. This could provide opportunities for Australian exporters to expand trade in fresh table eggs and hatchlings from poultry.
Korea has increased its egg imports due to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). This reduced the number of domestic flocks and limited domestic egg production.
In response, the Korean government has removed import tariffs on eggs until December 31, 2021.
Korea recognizes Australia’s HPAI-free status and is showing strong interest in:
- Australian eggs for consumption
- Australian newborns to rebuild herds.
Market Snapshot
- Australia’s global exports of eggs and hatchlings have been declining since 2018-19 (see Figure 1).
- On July 2, 2021, Korea lifted an import ban on all Australian eggs / poultry and their products. Korea imposed the ban after HPAI was detected in Victoria in 2020.
- The Korean government has removed tariffs on imported eggs until December 31, 2021.
- Tariff rates for Australian eggs were 15% under the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement (KAFTA) before the tariff freeze.
- The KAFTA tariff rate for newborns is 0% for non-purebred newborns and 4.2% for purebred newborns.
Figure 1: World exports of eggs and hatchlings from Australia, 2016-17 to 2020-2021
Source: ABS 2021
Resources
Micor has more information on exporting table eggs and hatchlings to Korea.
Exporters should also familiarize themselves with the tariffs, quotas and relevant documents required to export under the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
Austrade has more korean market information.
No Comment