FAS/Seoul Monitoring of Media Reporting on Agricultural Issues 

Today's Date: Friday,  January 17,  2025

For Coverage:  January 11 ~  17, 2025

 "Reducing Hanwoo Cattle Rearing Period: Can It Boost Consumption?"

https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250115500674

The Korean government plans to shorten the rearing period for Hanwoo cattle as part of a strategy to stabilize livestock supply, aiming to reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions while boosting consumption through lower beef prices. Studies suggest reducing the period from 30 to 24 months could cut feed costs by 32% and greenhouse gas emissions by 25%, but farmers express concerns about potential impacts on profitability, flavor, and production processes. The industry emphasizes the need for careful research and adaptation, noting that Hanwoo beef's unique quality is traditionally tied to longer rearing periods.

 

Agriculture Outlook 2025: Growth in Food Crop and Livestock Production, Decline in Vegetables and Fruits

http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=111623

In 2023, Korea's agricultural production value increased by 1.4% to KRW 60.1 trillion, driven by higher crop production, despite a 4.1% decline in food crop revenue due to reduced rice consumption and lower potato prices. Vegetable and fruit revenues rose due to poor harvests and high prices, while livestock revenue decreased by 1.5% due to reduced poultry production.  In 2024, farm household income is projected to grow by 4.2%, reaching KRW 52.95 million, thanks to increased agricultural revenue, reduced operating costs, and expanded direct payment programs. Fertilizer and energy costs dropped due to falling oil prices, while feed costs declined as global crop yields improved.  The farming population in 2024 is expected to decrease by 2.1%, and employment in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries will decline by 0.9%. Korea’s 2025 economic growth rate is forecasted at 1.9%, with global growth at 2.5%, alongside falling oil prices and an appreciating dollar exchange rate.

 

Government to Provide Differential Support for Rice Purchase Funds…Nonghyup RPC Expresses Concerns

https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250115500650

The government is reducing policy fund support for rice processing centers (RPCs) that set lower rice purchase prices for the 2024 harvest compared to 2023. RPC representatives raised concerns about this differential funding policy at a meeting on January 7, citing the difficulty in predicting an increase in rice prices. Despite the government's expectation that rice prices may rise in 2025 due to market isolation efforts, RPC representatives argue that rice prices are unlikely to improve, and they oppose the policy that differentiates support based on purchase prices.

 

Domestic Bell Peppers, Exports to the U.S. on the Way

http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=111630

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Cooperation (aT) held an event to commemorate the opening of the U.S. export market for domestically produced bell peppers on January 16th.  The shipment headed to the United States totals 5.3 tons and should be available in about 20 local distributions stores starting in February. 

 

MFDS Supports K-School Meal Expansion Abroad…Provides School Meal Regulation Information for 7 Countries

http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=111600

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has launched a program to support the expansion of K-school meals abroad by providing information on food safety regulations in seven countries. This includes data on food hygiene laws, licensing procedures, and compliance standards in countries such as the United States, Canada, India, China, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The MFDS aims to help domestic foodservice companies better understand and navigate international regulations, minimizing errors and administrative penalties.

 

APQA (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency)’s intensifying inspection of imported Livestock Products Traceability in Preparation for the Lunar New Year Holidays

http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=111547

APQA, concerned about potential issues with traceability of imported beef and pork ahead of the increased demand for livestock products during the Lunar New Year, will conduct an intensive inspection from the 8^th to the 27^th, focusing on 120 companies with a high risk of traceability violations. The inspection targets include livestock hygiene establishments handling imported beef and pork, food hygiene establishments preparing and selling cooked products, and online sales outlets for livestock products across the country.

 

Korea Bans German pork imports following foot-and-mouth disease outbreak

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2025/01/113_390179.html

Korea placed an import ban on German pork Saturday following an outbreak of highly contagious foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease in the European nation, according to the agriculture ministry.  The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said the decision was made after Germany reported its first FMD case since 1988.