South Korea: ROK Increases Soybeans for Sprouting WTO Tariff-Rate Quota Volume

On July 13, 2026, the Republic of Korea (ROK) announced a 10,000 metric ton (MT) increase in soybean-for-sprout imports under the 2026 WTO tariff-rate quota (TRQ) voluntary add-up plan to curb rising market prices and address potential tightened supplies in the second half of the year. The additional volumes are subject to the WTO TRQ 5 percent preferential tariff rate. MAFRA clarified that these imports will not replace domestic soybeans but will instead supplement domestic production. From 2020 to 2025, the ROK imported roughly 46,000 MT annually of additional food-grade soybeans to meet domestic demand.