Beef production in South Korea
South Korea: Beef production was 370,000 tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
370,000 tonnes
Change on year
up 7.2%
World rank
37th
of 198 countries
All-time high
375,714 tonnes
in 1998
All-time low
21,000 tonnes
in 1961
Years of data
64
1961–2024
Beef production in South Korea, 1961–2024
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for beef production in South Korea is 370,000 tonnes, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 7.2% on the previous year and up 10.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, beef production in South Korea peaked at 375,714 tonnes in 1998 and was at its lowest, 21,000 tonnes, in 1961.
South Korea ranks 37th of 198 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Beef production in South Korea, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 21,000 tonnes | — |
| 1962 | 24,269 tonnes | +15.6% |
| 1963 | 31,000 tonnes | +27.7% |
| 1964 | 46,358 tonnes | +49.5% |
| 1965 | 39,515 tonnes | -14.8% |
| 1966 | 29,443 tonnes | -25.5% |
| 1967 | 31,953 tonnes | +8.5% |
| 1968 | 35,809 tonnes | +12.1% |
| 1969 | 33,133 tonnes | -7.5% |
| 1970 | 37,340 tonnes | +12.7% |
| 1971 | 39,484 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1972 | 40,328 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1973 | 47,516 tonnes | +17.8% |
| 1974 | 54,718 tonnes | +15.2% |
| 1975 | 84,660 tonnes | +54.7% |
| 1976 | 74,365 tonnes | -12.2% |
| 1977 | 63,965 tonnes | -14.0% |
| 1978 | 74,287 tonnes | +16.1% |
| 1979 | 88,494 tonnes | +19.1% |
| 1980 | 93,098 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1981 | 98,894 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1982 | 96,265 tonnes | -2.7% |
| 1983 | 94,433 tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1984 | 123,069 tonnes | +30.3% |
| 1985 | 165,900 tonnes | +34.8% |
| 1986 | 208,000 tonnes | +25.4% |
| 1987 | 207,754 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1988 | 176,953 tonnes | -14.8% |
| 1989 | 125,023 tonnes | -29.3% |
| 1990 | 127,792 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1991 | 132,203 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1992 | 174,000 tonnes | +31.6% |
| 1993 | 204,000 tonnes | +17.2% |
| 1994 | 214,000 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1995 | 221,000 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1996 | 248,000 tonnes | +12.2% |
| 1997 | 338,000 tonnes | +36.3% |
| 1998 | 375,714 tonnes | +11.2% |
| 1999 | 342,429 tonnes | -8.9% |
| 2000 | 305,868 tonnes | -10.7% |
| 2001 | 232,579 tonnes | -24.0% |
| 2002 | 210,804 tonnes | -9.4% |
| 2003 | 188,000 tonnes | -10.8% |
| 2004 | 186,000 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 2005 | 195,000 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 2006 | 200,000 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 2007 | 219,000 tonnes | +9.5% |
| 2008 | 246,000 tonnes | +12.3% |
| 2009 | 283,000 tonnes | +15.0% |
| 2010 | 247,000 tonnes | -12.7% |
| 2011 | 280,000 tonnes | +13.4% |
| 2012 | 312,000 tonnes | +11.4% |
| 2013 | 344,000 tonnes | +10.3% |
| 2014 | 335,000 tonnes | -2.6% |
| 2015 | 323,000 tonnes | -3.6% |
| 2016 | 277,000 tonnes | -14.2% |
| 2017 | 281,000 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 2018 | 279,000 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 2019 | 286,000 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 2020 | 291,000 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 2021 | 304,000 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 2022 | 330,000 tonnes | +8.6% |
| 2023 | 345,000 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 2024 | 370,000 tonnes | +7.2% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 370,000 tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 42,740 tonnes, 8.7× the median. (64 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 370,000 tonnes is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 20,349 tonnes, 18.2× the median. (29 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 32,498 tonnes | 21,000 tonnes | 46,358 tonnes | 9 |
| 1970s | 60,516 tonnes | 37,340 tonnes | 88,494 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 138,939 tonnes | 93,098 tonnes | 208,000 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 237,714 tonnes | 127,792 tonnes | 375,714 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 226,625 tonnes | 186,000 tonnes | 305,868 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 296,400 tonnes | 247,000 tonnes | 344,000 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 328,000 tonnes | 291,000 tonnes | 370,000 tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More agriculture & rural data for South Korea
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 0.2516 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0146 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 530.46 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate -0.1591 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.1883 units per person (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 1.5% (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 1.5% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 0.8% (2024)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 0.9% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is beef production in South Korea?
- Beef production in South Korea was 370,000 tonnes in 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest beef production recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 375,714 tonnes in 1998.
- What is the lowest beef production recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 21,000 tonnes in 1961.
- How does South Korea rank for beef production?
- South Korea ranks 37th out of 198 countries with data for 2024.
- Is beef production rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 10.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Beef production. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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