The KORUS FTA (Free Trade Agreement) went into effect March of 2012, and the agreement’s elimination of tariffs for almonds and pistachios, as well as tariff reductions for walnuts, has expanded opportunities for U.S. tree nut producers. Since the KORUS FTA, the United States has been...

Despite a challenging economic environment, the South Korean wine market continues to expand.  Korea’s wine imports in 2015 totaled a record high $190 million, up 4 percent from 2014.  The United States remained the fourth largest supplier of wine to Korea by shipping a record high $23 million during the period, up 9 percent...

The Ministry of Food & Drug Safety (hereinafter referred to as MFDS) implemented the Special Act on Safety Management of Imported Food (hereinafter referred to as the Special Act) and the implementing regulations on February 4, 2016.  The Special Act, providing a framework for imported food polices, consolidated...

The Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional (HRI) foodservice sector in South Korea continues to grow as on-going socio-economic changes promote increased consumer spending on dining outside of the home.  Cash-register sales for the sector totaled W83.8 trillion won ($79.6 billion) in 2014, up 5.4 percent...

Korean coffee imports data showed 27 percent up in value of $527 million and 17 percent up in volume of 134,000 Metric Tons in 2014 compared to a year of 2013.  Despite the economic down turn and health concerns, coffee industry resources expects to continue to grow by 10 percent annually for the coming years...