FAS/Seoul Monitoring of Media Reporting on Agricultural Issues

Today's Date: Monday, December 21, 2020

For Coverage: December 14 ~  16, 2020

'Taste & Rich', CJ's MSG Replacement Reports Early Success 

https://www.hankyung.com/economy/article/2020121520651

Summary: CJ Cheiljedang, the leading food processor in South Korea, reported on December 15 that its new natural flavor enhancer, Taste & Rich, generated successful business outcomes since launching in May this year with $5 million in sales in 32 countries around the world.  Taste & Rich is a new generation flavor enhancer processed exclusively from natural ingredients (including sugar cane) using fermentation.  Taste & Rich can be used in products that target non-GMO, non-allergenic, natural, or minimal-processed certifications. CJ is a global leader in the flavor enhancer processing industry.  The global flavor enhancer processing industry currently generates $7 billion of annual sales.  CJ says natural products like Taste & Rich will ultimately replace chemically processed products in the industry, particularly MSG (Mono-Sodium Glutamate). 

Duck Meat Price Soars Due to AI Outbreaks

https://www.hankyung.com/economy/article/2020121520661

Summary: The price of duck meat in wholesale markets reached 3,267 won ($3.0 USD) per kilogram on December 14, 41 percent higher than the same period last year.  The ex-farm price of duck meat reached 1,694 won ($1.5 USD) per kilogram on December 14, up 21 percent from a month ago.  The number of ducks depopulated in Korea since new outbreaks of avian influenza (AI) in November reached 880,000 as of December 14, which accounted for 1.3 percent of total ducks in local farms. 

Ambassador Harris Makes Kimchi for the First Time 

https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20201215107100504?input=1195m

Summary: U.S. Ambassador to Korea Harry Harris made Kimchi for the first time on December 15.  Hyejung Lee, a local celebrity chef, joined the program.  Ambassador Harris said that it was a delightful journey to live in the country of kimchi.

Avian Influenza May Increase Prices of Poultry and Eggs 

https://www.donga.com/news/Economy/article/all/20201215/104447627/1

Summary: According to the Korea Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), a total of 15 local farms have tested positive for avian influenza (AI) as of December 15.  MAFRA has ordered immediate depopulation of 5.9 million birds in and around the farms to prevent further spread of the virus.  The scale of depopulation has yet to affect the market and the price of chicken meat and eggs in the retail market remains stable.  However, marketers are concerned about further spread of the virus and quick shifts in prices in coming weeks.

Sales of 'Animal Welfare' Certified Chicken Meat Up 35%, Lotte Mart

https://www.donga.com/news/Economy/article/all/20201214/104445163/1

Summary: Lotte Mart, a leading hypermarket grocery retailer in South Korea, reported that its sales of 'animal welfare' certified chicken meat increased 34.6 percent this year through November compared to the same period last year.

Starbucks Korea Opens 1,500^th Store in Korea 

https://www.donga.com/news/Economy/article/all/20201213/104426534/1

Summary: Starbucks Korea reported that it opened 7 new stores on December 13.  The total number of Starbucks stores in Korea increased to 1,503.  Drive thru stores have been a top priority strategy for Starbucks Korea recently as indicated by the fact that most of the newly opened stores this year were drive thru stores.

Chungbuk Province to Strengthen Measures to Prevent Fire Blight Disease in Fruit Farms

https://www.hankyung.com/economy/article/202012159555Y

Summary: Chungbuk province announced on December 15 measures to prevent fire blight disease in local fruit farms in 2021.  The measures include additional fumigation during the winter season, mandatory disinfection of workers and equipment accessing fruit farms, and incineration of infected soil and trees.  There were 504 farms (281 hectares of land) in Chungbuk province that reported fire blight disease this year, accounting for 85 percent of total farm acreage in Korea that had fire blight disease.