FAS/Seoul Monitoring of Media Reporting on Agricultural Issues 

Today's Date: Friday,  April 4,  2025

For Coverage:  March  28  ~  April 4, 2025

Surge of U.S. mandarins raises concerns for domestic citrus industry
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250402500753  
Summary:  Imports of U.S. mandarins have surged this year, with their presence increasing in major supermarkets and small grocery stores across South Korea. The lower price of U.S. mandarins, combined with a tariff reduction under the Korea-U.S. FTA, has intensified concerns among local citrus growers, as domestic varieties struggle to compete. With U.S. mandarin imports expected to rise further, industry experts worry that this trend could significantly impact the prices and demand for local citrus varieties like Hallabong and Karahyang. 

U.S. targets South Korea’s non-tariff barriers again… Raises concerns over quarantine for potatoes, strawberries
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250402500795 
Summary:  The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released the 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report, highlighting South Korea’s non-tariff barriers in agriculture, including sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations. The report criticized Korea’s strict approval process for genetically modified organisms (LMOs), pesticide residue limits under the Positive List System (PLS), and restrictions on U.S. beef imports to cattle under 30 months old. It also raised new concerns about quarantine regulations for five U.S. agricultural products, including potatoes and baby carrots from 11 states, which were not mentioned in last year’s report, though Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture stated that the report simply reflects ongoing concerns without active U.S. trade negotiations. 

Korea’s agricultural food exports record an all-time high of $2.48 billion in Q1
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250403075400030?section=industry/industrial-enterprise 
Summary:  According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, agricultural food exports in the first quarter of this year reached $2.48 billion, up 9.6% from the same period last year.  Among processed food that Korea exported $100 million or larger, ramyun saw the most rapid increase in exports of $344 million (27.3%+), and on the other hand, among fresh food exported more than $10 million, grapes (40.6%+) and chicken (14.1%+) showed the largest increases in exports.  By region, the ministry said that the Gulf Cooperation Council (37.9%+) recorded the greatest increase, followed by Europe (34.1%+) and North America (21.7%+). 

Rice protein content labeling will be mandatory... Aiming to improve quality and regulate supply.
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250331500893 
Summary:  The government is pushing for a plan to make it mandatory to label the protein content when selling rice.  The aim is to spread the production and distribution of high-quality rice, encourage proper fertilization, and contribute to regulating the supply-demand balance.  According to the grain industry, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is working on revising the "Grain Management Act Enforcement Regulations" to implement the mandatory protein content labeling. 

Imported rice dominates frozen rice market... Agricultural sector outraged 
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250331500912
Summary:  A recent investigation found that major South Korean food companies primarily use imported rice in their frozen fried rice products, despite previous commitments to increase the use of domestic rice. Industry representatives argue that imported medium-grain rice from the U.S., Australia, and China is better suited for frozen meals, but critics highlight that the same companies supply domestically sourced rice for products sold at Nonghyup Hanaro Mart, casting doubt on their supply shortage claims. The agricultural sector is frustrated, viewing this as a broken promise made during a 2022 National Assembly hearing, and calls for government intervention to facilitate contract farming and ensure stable demand for local rice.

U.S. beef import age limit lifted… Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs struggles to respond to trade pressure. 
https://www.donga.com/news/Economy/article/all/20250401/131324436/1
Summary:  The U.S. government has raised concerns about South Korea's restrictions on the import of U.S. beef, including the age limit for beef imports, and it is likely that these regulations will be used as leverage in tariff negotiations.  As the U.S. pursues a protectionist trade policy, there are expectations that if the U.S. demands the lifting of the age limit, South Korean livestock farmers will strongly oppose the move, increasing the government's dilemma.  According to relevant authorities on April 1, the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE) report, released two days before the imposition of reciprocal tariffs, included concerns about South Korea's ban on the import of U.S. beef from cattle older than 30 months.

Foot-and-mouth disease and wildfires halt auctions in Gyeonggi and Yeongnam regions... Livestock markets in a state of 'calm and stillness'.
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250331500872
Summary:  At the auction hall of Gongju Livestock Market in Chungcheongnam-do at 9 AM on March 28, the electronic board displayed 'Winning bid 4.82 million won,' and a murmur of astonishment spread throughout the venue.  This was the highest price of the day for one young calf.  In Honam, foot-and-mouth disease broke out, while in Yeongnam, wildfires spread, leading to the suspension of 28 out of 89 livestock markets (31.5%) nationwide.

Sales of functional health beverages at convenience stores account for the largest share
http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=112582
Summary:  CU, a Korean convenience store chain operated by BGF Retail, announced on the 1st that it analyzed the sales trends of beverage categories by year and found that the sales share of functional health drinks increased steadily from 16.9% in 2021 to 22.1% last year, surpassing coffee and carbonated drinks to take the lead.  The analysis results show that consumers’ interest in their health has grown recently, and they are increasingly looking for red ginseng drinks, vitamins, and protein drinks instead of beverages containing sugar and caffeine.  CU said it will actively respond to changing trends by expanding its lineup of functional drinks in collaboration with domestic pharmaceutical companies.

RDA: Rabbit meat proven to help control weight gain and improve fatty liver
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250328500631
Summary:  A study by the Rural Development Administration (RDA) has shown that rabbit meat helps control weight gain and improve fatty liver. In a 15-week animal experiment, mice fed a high-fat diet with 5–10% rabbit meat gained less weight and had significantly lower cholesterol, triglyceride levels in the liver, and liver damage markers compared to those on a regular high-fat diet. The RDA plans to publish the findings in an international journal and file a related patent, highlighting rabbit meat’s potential health benefits, which have also been recognized in traditional medicine.

Egg prices soar with wings… up 14% in a month 
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250328500627
Summary:  Egg prices in Korea have surged by 14% in a month due to the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and increased egg exports to the U.S., which have reduced domestic supply. Additionally, rising demand from schools reopening and spring promotional events at major retailers has further driven up prices. Experts predict that egg prices will remain high in April, especially with increased consumption for Easter, while the government is considering measures to stabilize supply and prevent unnecessary discount events.

Even before U.S. tariffs begin... Worst forecast of 'Korea's 0% growth' emerges
https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/25324393
Summary:  Amid escalating trade tensions sparked by U.S. tariffs, concerns over South Korea's export-dependent economy are growing, with major institutions lowering growth forecasts. The UK's Capital Economics revised South Korea's 2024 GDP growth projection to 0.9%, while other institutions, including S&P, Fitch, and the OECD, also downgraded their outlooks due to trade uncertainties and domestic political instability. With the U.S. set to impose further tariffs on key sectors like automobiles, experts warn that South Korea's exports could decline sharply, necessitating government intervention through fiscal policies to stabilize the economy.

Korean government plans to consult with related industries to stabilize food prices
https://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=112550
Summary:  The government said that it will make every effort to stabilize food prices, which are closely related to public livelihoods, in collaboration with all ministries.  To that end, the government plans to continue consultation with related industries on the timing and rate of price increases and minimizing the number of products subject to price increases.  The government will also review measures to improve the distribution structure, such as stabilizing the prices of agricultural and fishery products and diversifying distribution channels, by promptly supporting farmers affected by the recent huge wildfires and closely monitoring the supply and demand of local agricultural products.

Burgerflation becomes a reality... The 'value for money' burger breaks the 5,000 won barrier. 
https://www.donga.com/news/Economy/article/all/20250328/131302142/1
Summary:  The phenomenon of 'burgerflation' (a combination of 'burger' and 'inflation'), where burger prices are rising across the board, seems to be becoming a reality.  Lotte Ria's representative low-cost burger, the 'Bulgogi Burger (Ria Bulgogi),' has now risen to 5,000 won for a single item. Lotte GRS, which operates Lotte Ria, announced on the 28th that starting from the 3rd of next month, it will increase the prices of 23 types of burgers and a total of 65 items by an average of 3.3%.