Browse Data and Analysis

Sections Updated: Section I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, X and Appendix II

This report includes technical information and certificate requirements for food and agricultural product exports to the Republic of Korea.

In the United Kingdom (UK) regulatory changes affecting high-sugar soft drinks and food and drink products high in fat, sugar, and salt food (HFSS) come into effect in April and October 2025.

The UK government is committed to signing a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement with the EU to ease post-Brexit trading frictions, but depending on the type of deal agreed, it may impact the UK’s ability to negotiate future Free Trade Agreements.

After reaching a five-year high in 2024, Korea’s potato production will return to average levels in 2025.

On January 14, 2025, Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) published new import health requirements (IHRs) for pet food, which are effective immediately. With the new IHRs, there is now a pathway to approve U.S. pet food products containing ruminant ingredients, which had been banned since 2003.

On December 31, 2024, Korea issued its flexible tariff Adjustment and Tariff Rate Quota list for certain agricultural, forestry and fishery products for calendar year (CY) 2025.

On October 30, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) extended over 220 voluntary tariff suspensions announced following the 2021 and 2023 application periods, through June 30, 2026. The announcement synchronizes multiple expiration periods...

In 2024, the United Kingdom (UK) updated border control measures for the EU. These changes primarily brought EU import requirements in line with those for the rest of the world including the United States, through the application of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM).

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, U.S. export health certificates are required to either follow the Great Britain model health certificates (for destinations within England, Scotland, or Wales) or the European Union model health certificates if shipping to Northern Ireland.

Chocolate is a popular product in the Korean market, with 2023 sales reaching $578 million and imports of chocolate totaling $356 million.

Korean imports of cheese products continue to grow, seeing a five percent compound annual growth rate over the last five years. Mozzarella is the most imported cheese product and the United States is the leading supplier of cheese to Korea.