Today's Date:      Tuesday, April 10, 2012

1. BILATERAL/MULTILATERAL ISSUES

Twenty days passes since the implementation of KORUS FTA [Korean: BYK]

http://news.kbs.co.kr/society/2012/04/09/2460580.html

Summary: About 20 days have passed since the KORUS FTA was implemented.  As expected, some areas are benefiting from the FTA whereas some other areas are crying out loud.  Since the implementation, U.S. orange prices in department stores have come down by about 20 percent and the popularity of U.S. wine is increasing as the prices have come down by about 50 percent.  However, livestock farmers are continuing to ask for the discarding of the FTA as the support measures that are in place is having little effect at the field level.

2. LIVESTOCK ISSUES

Cesium detected in Japanese beef [Korean: BYK]

http://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0104_201204070547255695

Summary: The Japanese society is scrambling to cope with the tightened restrictions on radioactivity residues.  The Japanese government detected 106 Bq of cesium in dairy cow that was being raised in the upper part of Tokyo.  The cause of the residue was due to contaminated feed.

Pork dish prices still high in restaurants [Korean: BYK]

http://www.cctoday.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=693281

Summary: Despite the drop on pork prices, the price tags for pork bellies in restaurants still remains at the high level when pork prices were high.  Restaurant owners are arguing that it is difficult to lower the prices as their purchase price from wholesalers has not come down as much.

Kimhae FMD cow found to be negative [Korean: BYK]

http://news.donga.com/fbin/output?n=200907140153

Summary: According to the South Gyungsang province, the cow that was reported as a suspected case of a FMD on April 6 was found to be negative. 

Pork traceability to be introduced before the end of 2012 on a trial basis [Korean: BYK]

http://www.sjbnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=398909

Summary: Pork traceability could be introduced before the end of 2012 on a trial basis.  The full implementation is scheduled to take place sometime at the end of 2013.

3. MARKETING ISSUES

Large-scale Bakery Shop Franchises Banned to Open New Stores within 500 Meters from Existing Stores [Korean, OSY]

http://news.donga.com/Economy/3/01/20120409/45405966/1

Summary: Fair Trade Committee announced a new rule on the franchise bakery shop industry.  According to the rule, large-scale franchises, including Paris Baguette and Tou Les Jours, are not allowed to open new stores within 500 meters from their existing stores.  FTC plans to put additional measures if necessary to protect the franchise member shops from unfair practices.

Sugar Replacing Sweetener Market is on a Rapid Growth

http://news.donga.com/Economy/Market/3/0108/20120409/45406493/1

Summary: According to a report by a market research firm, total sales of sugar replacing sweetener in Korea amounted to 7,107 metric tons last year, up 60.5 percent from 2008.  Reflecting the strong consumer demand, suppliers have continued to launch new products such as Tagatos by CJ and Organic Agave Syrup by Orga Wholefood.

4. OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES

Koreans switching back to traditional meat-free diet [English, CSY]

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/n_feature/2012/04/05/21/4901000000AEN20120405001700315F.HTML

Summary: Going vegetarian is a growing new trend in Korea, especially among the younger generations. By unofficial count, the number of vegetarians in Korea is around 1 percent of the population. There are about 150 vegan restaurants across the country.   Whether for health concerns or religious and philosophical reasons, more and more are reversing their Westernized, meat-based dietary patterns back to a traditional plant-based one. In a country where values of unity and like-mindedness still prevail over individual choices in social life, many find strict vegetarianism is not as isolated and difficult a route as before, with vegetarian restaurants sprouting up across the country and many support groups within easy reach.

5. MIFAFF PRESS RELEASES

► MIFAFF to allow for more farmers to participate in the GAP program by easing the burden on farmers for participation

► Spring season catch of crabs begin on April 1 in Yunpyung Island. 

► MIFAFF to stop illegal marketing of flowers

► Country-of-origin labeling requirement in restaurants for fishery products to be implemented as of April 11, 2012.

► MIFAFF Minister meets with Ambassador Vasyl Marmazov from Ukraine