South Korea’s beef imports surged to a record high in 2015 mainly on a spike in local beef demand, government data showed Wednesday.

The country imported more than $1.81 billion worth of beef last year that exceeded the previous record of $1.67 billion in 2014, according to data from the Korea Customs Service. It was the highest figure since the agency started keeping such data in 1995.

“Demand for imports rose as local beef prices surged to levels seen in 2010 when the country’s cattle stock was devastated by a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak,” the KCS said.

The government’s recent policy of controlling the number of cattle to prevent price fluctuations also played a part, it added.

Despite a decline in the supply of Korean-bred beef over the past few years, the growing popularity of camping and other forms of outdoor recreational activities spurred demand for beef, driving up hanwoo prices and compelling consumers to turn to imports, the agency said.
(Graphic: Nam Kyung-don)