Supply/Demand Basics
- Coarse grains demand of 13 MMT/ year – 98.0% imported: 78% for feed, 16% corn milling, 6% alcohol and others.
- #4 import market of U.S. corn in MY 2019/2020.
- #3 import market of U.S. DDGS in MY 2019/2020.
- #4 import market of U.S. ethanol in MY 2019/2020.
- Livestock industry and compound feed market growing marginally.
Country Overview
- Asia’s 4th and world’s 10th largest economy.
- No progress in North Korea’s denuclearization nor inter-Korean economic cooperation.
- Facing sluggish domestic demand, low youth unemployment, falling birth rates and aging population.
Trade and Market Share Overview
- Sophisticated price buyer; U.S. share is very volatile depending on the prices.
- Corn quality (higher BCFM) has been a chronic issue.
- U.S. DDGS imports set the new record for 7th consecutive year in MY 2019/20 despite COVID-19.
- The surge in demand for hand sanitizer products has greatly increased U.S. ethanol imports.
- U.S. barley import has decreased due to the weak price competitiveness.
Policy Overview
- MOTIE includes pilot project review for ethanol RFS in mid-term energy master plan in 2020.
- Import tolerance registration of temporarily registered MRLs is required by December 31, 2021.
- The regulatory direction for New Breeding Technology has not yet been determined by the government.
- The Korean government has declared that it will achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
