1. GRAIN & OILSEED ISSUES

77 Percent of Korean rice farmers agreed to convert to tariffication on rice (Korean, WMJ)

http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=101&oid=001&aid=0006426117

Summary: According to Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI), 77% of farmers agreed on rice tariffication.  This agreement was based on two reasons. First 44 percent said ‘it can protect rice industry with high rate tariff’ and secondly 28.6 percent said, ‘Minimum Market Access (MMA) is putting a lot of pressure on rice industry’ because of increases in import volumes each year.  On the other hand, survey respondents’ criticism of the current system ‘it can cause price decline’ and ‘it is not enough yet to protect the rice industry with current policy’. 

2. LIVESTOCK ISSUES

Government has no plan to interfere in the milk price directly (Korean, WMJ)

http://www.siminilbo.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=331833

Summary: The Ministry of Strategy and Finance (MOSF) disclosed that The Government of Korea will not interfere in milk prices directly, rather they will be determined by the market economy as they have done since before. Not only the MOSF but, also The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) has the same stance in this issue.   

The usage of antibiotic for livestock has been reduced (Korean, WMJ)

http://news.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=20130813000275&md=20130814003346_AT

Summary: The domestic usage of antibiotic for livestock in last year hits the lowest record with 936 tons. The record less than 100 tons has been kept for two years in a row, and it is reduced as 41% as comparing to 2001. The officials of Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) assumed that the policy to reduce the using antibiotic for compound feed which has been implemented since 2005 may affected it.  

3. MARKETING ISSUES

Instant Coffee Mix was the Most Ordered Gift for Upcoming Korean Thanksgiving Day, Home Plus [Korean, OSY]

http://view.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2013081608292258870&nvr=Y

Summary: Home Plus, the second largest hypermarket grocery chain in Korea announced on August 15 that ‘Dongsuh Maxim’ instant coffee mix set were the most ordered gift item for the upcoming Korean Thanksgiving Day.  The instant coffee mix accounted for 46.5 percent of gift items ordered by customers during August 5 through 13, followed by ‘Chungjungwon’ cooking oil set (14.5 percent) and ‘Dongwon’ canned tuna & canned ham set.

Hite Brewery to Launch ‘Ale Beer’ Next Month … OB Brewery Also Plans to Launch Ale Beer Within This Year [Korean, OSY]

http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=103&oid=015&aid=0002931115

Summary: Hite Brewery, the leading brewery in Korea is reportedly launching an ale beer in the coming month.  Oriental Brewery, another leading local brewery is also planning to launch an ale beer within this year.  Although larger beer accounts for over 95 percent of beer sold in Korea, demand for ale beer is showing a strong growth particularly among young beer drinkers who look for new taste.  Lotte, a food & beverage conglomerate in Korea, has unveiled its plan to start a brewery in 2014.  A recent revision in the liquor tax act has allowed microbreweries to sell their products outside the premise.  Leading breweries’ entry into ale beer business is deemed a necessary measure to cope with the added competition in the market.

CJ Olive Young to Open 400th Store within This Year [Korean, OSY]

http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2013081414411

Summary: CJ Oliveyoung, a leading pharmacy and health & beauty retailer in Korea announced that it planned to open its 400th store by the end of this year.  The total number of Olive Young stores in Korea is 357 with the addition of 87 new stores so far this year.