Korea’s Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MIFAFF) issued notice 2011-220 effective May 11 for a tariff rate quota (TRQ) of 50,000 metric tons (mt) of chicken with a zero import duty, according to a May 12 USDA Foreign Agricultural Service GAIN Report. MIFAFF’s notice also listed an additional wide array of agricultural commodities in its effort to counter rising food prices caused in large part by severe animal diseases in Korea’s livestock and poultry.
Chicken eligible under the TRQ include whole fresh, chilled, or frozen chickens weighing less than 550 grams (about 2.5 pounds) or parts (legs, breasts, and wings) with no specified weight. In addition, the notice provides for one million baby layer chicks. The TRQ expires at the end of 2011.
According to information provided by USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) about Korea’s notice, only companies that have a history of importing poultry or egg products will be considered eligible to participate in the new program. USAPEEC also noted that a substantial quantity of chicken has been positioned in anticipation of the notice and is waiting to clear customs for actual importation.
