FAS/Seoul Monitoring of Media Reporting on Agricultural Issues 

Today's Date: Friday,  June 20,  2025

For Coverage:  June 13  ~  20,  2025

MAFRA to take comprehensive measures to stabilize food prices 
https://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=113742
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) announced that it will implement measures to stabilize prices of food and key items closely related to people’s livelihoods such as food and restaurant industry, and improve the supply and distribution structure of agricultural food products.  Referring to the higher consumer price increase rates in the food and food service industries compared to last year, the ministry stated that it will extend the quota tariffs on 4 food ingredients until the end of the year to alleviate the cost burdens of the industries.  Additionally, it plans to expand measures to reduce cost-bearing of restaurants and the operational burdens of food companies to minimize consumer expenses.

MFDS revises ‘Guidelines for local hygiene evaluation of OEM imported foods’ 
https://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=113730
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has revised the guidelines for local hygiene evaluation of OEM imported foods, which are foods with the importer’s brand name displayed in Korean, manufactured by overseas manufacturing facilities commissioned by domestic food importers.  The revised guidelines include key changes such as extending the local hygiene evaluation cycle for overseas manufacturing facilities to three years and expanding self-hygiene evaluations for facilities with excellent hygiene management.  The ministry first published guidelines in May last year to enhance understanding of the local hygiene evaluation system for OEM imported foods and facilitate smooth operations.

Summer cabbage planting area decreases; 5,000 tons supplied to address supply instability 
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250616500872
In response to concerns over summer cabbage supply instability, the government plans to supply 5,000 tons of raw cabbage to around 60 small-scale kimchi manufacturers nationwide during August and September.  This decision comes as the planting area for this year’s crop in the main production region of highland Gangwon has decreased by 9% compared to last year, and competition among small-scale kimchi producers to secure wholesale cabbage quantities has intensified price instability.  The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs recently established an emergency cabbage supply system and decided to support raw material supply to kimchi manufacturers.

AI disrupts seasonality… Climate change shakes up disease control 
https://www.nongmin.com/article/20250616500855
A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) was reported on June 14 at a meat duck farm in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province.  It marks the 49th occurrence of AI during the summer season out of a total of 1,366 cases reported in South Korea since the first outbreak in 2003.  The unusual appearance of AI in summer has raised concerns that climate change may be significantly altering the patterns of livestock epidemics.

USSEC produces 298 soybean experts at ‘2025 Soy Day’ 
http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=113688
The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) held the ‘2025 Soy Day’ event on June 12^th at the Westin Josun Hotel in Seoul, where the completion ceremony for three soybean master programs was held in the presence of Lee Hyung-Suk, representative of the USSEC Korea office, representatives from the Indiana Soybean Alliance and Ohio Soybean Association, and the Agricultural Minister-Counselor from the U.S. Embassy in Korea.  Through this ceremony, 150 Soy Oil Masters, 93 Soy Food Masters, and 55 Soybean Meal Masters were certified.  Outstanding masters from each program will have the opportunity to visit U.S. soybean farms and processing facilities, and gain experience of the sustainable production systems and supply chains of U.S. soybeans.

Quota tariff on processed fruits extended until December 31^th 
http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=113710
The Korean government will extend the tariff quota on four processed fruit items until December 31^st and expand quotas for fruit cocktail (7,000 tons) and processed eggs (10,000 tons) in efforts to stabilize prices.  Due to price hikes, a new 0% quota tariff will apply to 10,000 tons of mackerel imports.  Tariff quotas on eight tropical fruits will expire as scheduled.  These measures will take effect on July 1^st following cabinet approval.

A tray of eggs costs 7,000 KRW? … The Fair Trade Commission conducts on-site investigation of the laying hen association over collusion suspicions 
https://www.hankyung.com/article/202506168307i
As the average price of a tray of eggs has surpassed 7,000 won - reaching its highest level in four years - the Fair Trade Commission has launched an on-site investigation into the Laying Hen Association, which is suspected of driving up prices.  According to industry sources on the 16th, the Commission dispatched investigators to three locations: the association’s headquarters in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, and its regional branches in Gyeonggi and South Chungcheong Provinces.  The investigation is focusing on whether the association enforced compliance among member companies after announcing a reference price.

Dining out costs soar: Gimbap up 38%, burgers up 37% – Food prices rise 1.5 times faster 
https://www.donga.com/news/Economy/article/all/20250616/131810117/2
Among 39 dining-out items tracked by Statistics Korea, 30 have seen price increases of over 20% in the past five years.  Korea’s food and non-alcoholic beverage prices are now higher than those in the U.S. and France, with only Switzerland ranking higher among OECD countries.  In response to these steep price hikes, the Korean government plans to announce an interagency policy package soon to address rising costs and improve price transparency.

Korea's exports to ASEAN surge, closing in on U.S. and China amid trade war pressures 
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250613160800003?section=economy/all
From January to May 2025, Korea’s exports to the U.S. fell by 4.3%, reflecting the impact of high tariffs under the Trump administration’s second term.  In contrast, exports to ASEAN helped offset the decline, especially in sectors like semiconductors, though agriculture-related exports to the U.S. have also faced pressure from rising costs and shifting trade priorities.  As U.S.-China trade tensions reshape global supply chains, Korea is diversifying its export markets—including in agri-food—while monitoring increasing competition and regulatory hurdles in the U.S. market.

MAFRA to promote use of public wholesale markets for transparent egg pricing 
http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=113681
On June 13, Vice Minister Park Beom-soo visited the Korea Poultry Cooperative’s egg wholesale market to review egg supply conditions and encourage fairer distribution practices.  He emphasized the need to improve transparency in egg pricing by promoting public wholesale markets and eliminating non-transparent post-sale pricing adjustments.