FAS/Seoul Monitoring of Media Reporting on Agricultural Issues 

Today's Date: Friday,  June 23,  2023

For Coverage:  June  16 ~ 23, 2023

Imported Food with Nine Types of Raw Materials and Ingredients (Including Amphetamine) Prohibited in Korea 

http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=102924
Summary:  According to Article 25-3 of the Special Act on Imported Food Safety Control, the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) designated raw materials and ingredients subject to import ban and announced the new regulation on June 12th.  The MFDS designates raw materials and ingredients that are likely to harm public health if used in imported foods sold online and offline.  The materials/ingredients subject to import ban in Korea this time include Amphetamine; Dexoxy-D2PM; Ephedrine; Fenfluramine; Lorcaserin; Phenibut; Zopiclone; Hemp (subject to Article 2, Subparagraph 4 of the Narcotics Control Act); Poppy (subject to Subparagraph 2, A, B, D, E, F of Article 2 of the Narcotics Control Act).

Agricultural and Fishery Food Distribution Corporation Collaborates with Environmental Forest Service to Practice Carbon Neutrality

http://www.foodnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=103097

Summary:  On June 22, the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation and the Korea Environmental Academy signed a business agreement to cooperate in carbon-neutral practices such as low-carbon diet and environmental and social governance (ESG). 

Five Guys to Open 1^st Store in South Korea Next Week

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230622004100320?section=economy-finance/economy

Summary:  South Korea’s first Five Guys burger restaurant will open next week in Gangnam.  This is the 6^th Asian country in which Five Guys has opened.  They plan to open 15 more locations in Korea in the next five years. 

E-Mart’s Frozen Hash Browns Continue to Gain Popularity

https://pulsenews.co.kr/view.php?sc=30800021&year=2023&no=461627

Summary:  E-Mart’s frozen hash browns, sold under the private label, No Brand, have seen sales growth of almost 36% compared to the previous year.  Last year, this frozen food product was one of the top three imports from Europe by E-Mart.  In 2019, E-Mart’s No Brand forged a partnership with Agristo NV, the largest frozen potato product manufacturer in Europe.  Potatoes from 27 different European regions arrive at the company’s plant in Belgium and within 24 hours the potatoes are processed into hash browns.  They are then shipped to Korea and arrive after about 45 days.

Korean Food Companies See Sales Rise Through Own E-Commerce Services 

https://pulsenews.co.kr/view.php?sc=30800021&year=2023&no=456345

Summary:  South Korean food companies are expanding their own shopping services to reduce reliance on e-commerce platforms and to improve profitability.  Companies are using direct-to-consumer sales to get fresh products to customers within 5 days of production and are also expanding their next-day and early-morning deliveries.  Companies have seen an increase in sales ranging from 32% to 70%.  Some of the companies that have made this transition include Pulmuone Co., Lotte Foodwell Co., CJ CheilJedang Corp., and Korea’s leading agri-food company Harim Group (under the ready-made meal brand The Misik).

Energy Drink Sales Soar 50% in Korea on Highball Boom

https://pulsenews.co.kr/list.php?sc=30800021&sn=465273&sy=2023

Summary:  With highball gaining traction among young consumers, energy drink sales have surged more than 50% in the past two years.  In 2022, energy drink sales reached 157.5 billion won ($124.2 million), an increase of 18% from the previous year.  In general, energy drinks became popular in Korea in 2011 and have been used by students during exam periods.  However, with the growing popularity of highballs (a mixed alcohol drink, using an alcohol base mixed with energy drinks or fruit juices), energy drinks have seen a second phase of growth.  Monster Energy retains about 50% of the market share.