FAS/Seoul Monitoring of Media Reporting on Agricultural Issues 

Today's Date: Friday,  May 9,  2025

For Coverage:  May 2  ~  9,  2025

MAFRA to mandate protein content labeling on rice
http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=113115
On May 2^nd, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) made a pre-announcement on the revision of the Grain Management Act to mandate protein content labeling on rice for consumer health.  By this revision, the ministry aims to improve the current voluntary labeling of protein content to mandatory labeling requirements.  The revision applies only to non-glutinous rice, and the implementation date has been set for one year after its proclamation, considering the current situations of rice distributors.

Democratic Party lawmakers of the National Assembly’s Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee introduce Dedicated Lawmaker System for Agricultural and Fisheries Organizations
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250507500165
Lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) who are part of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans, and Fisheries Committee announced on the 7th that they have introduced a “Dedicated Legislator System for Agricultural and Fisheries Organizations.”  The initiative aims to reflect the voices of people in the agricultural and fisheries sectors in legislation and policy, and to strengthen communication with related organizations.  Since late February, each Democratic Party member on the committee has been assigned to about 10 agricultural or fisheries organizations, gathering input from the field through policy roundtables and other means.

Representative proposal of the national food plan package bill
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250508500108
A so-called “National Food Plan Package Bill” has been proposed to expand the consumption of domestically produced agricultural products by linking a national-level food strategy with public meal services.  On the 8th, Song Ok-ju, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) representing Hwaseong Gap in Gyeonggi Province, announced that she had proposed two bills: an amendment to the Framework Act on Agriculture, Rural Community, and Food Industry to establish a comprehensive national food plan, and an amendment to the Grain Management Act to allow free or discounted provision of government-managed grain for public meal programs.

KREI: Agricultural prices will stabilize in May
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250502155100030?section=industry/industrial-enterprise
According to a report on agricultural outlook released by the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI) on May 6^th, prices of major agricultural products such as napa cabbage, green onions and apples are expected to decline from a year ago.  The report predicted that napa cabbage will fall 31.5% from a year ago due to an increase in stock and spring cabbage production and similarly, green onions and carrots are expected to decline 41.9% and 45.1%, respectively, from a year ago.  However, radish prices will remain high for the time being due to a poor winter crop, while major fruit and vegetable prices are generally expected to be lower than a year ago but still similar to or higher than normal.

A rare trend emerges as people steer clear of supermarkets and restaurants
https://www.hankyung.com/article/2025050531727
An unprecedented trend of declining purchases of groceries at markets and supermarkets, along with reduced dining out at restaurants, has continued for over two years.  According to the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) on May 5, both the retail sales index for food and beverages and the restaurant industry production index have been on a downward trend since 2023.  Typically, consumption of food and beverages and dining out show complementary patterns — when one decreases, the other tends to increase.

Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations releases the food price index for April
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250503027600030?section=industry/agriculture
The FAO released the food price index for April at 128.3, up 7.6% from a year ago (* It considers the 2014-2016 average price as ‘100’).  By commodity group, the price indexes for meat, dairy products and grain were 121.6 (3.2%+), 152.1 (2.4%+), and 111.0 (1.2%+), respectively.  On the other hand, the price indexes for sugar (112.8) and oils (158.0) declined by 3.5% and 2.3%, respectively.