Today's Date:   Thursday,  April 11, 2013

1. MARKETING ISSUES

Hypermarket Stores to Expand ‘Local Food Section’ [Korean, OSY]

http://news.donga.com/3/all/20130409/54320316/1

Summary: E Mart, the leading hypermarket chain in Korea, reported that it would expand ‘local food section’ in its stores which will offer products sourced directly from local farmers and fishermen.  E Mart explained that ‘local food section’ will help offer higher quality products at lower price to the consumers by eliminating middleman distributors in the supply chain.  E Mart to plans to expand the local food business to 120 products from 250 local farmers this year.  Other hypermarket chains, including Lotte Mart, have reported similar plans.

CJ to Expand Business in the U.S. … Adds New Production Facilities for Noodles and Dumpling [Korean, OSY]

http://www.newscj.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=180644

Summary: CJ Cheiljedang, the leading food company in Korea, announced that it will add new processing facilities for noodles and dumpling products in the U.S. this year.  The dumpling plant, currently under construction in Fullerton, CA, has 5,000 metric tons of production capacity.  Noodle facilities, located in New York state, were acquired from TMI Group USA at the end of last year.  CJ plans to become the leading processor of Asian food products in the U.S., commented HS Shin, vice president of CJ in charge of global business.

2. OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES

Koreans Consume Less Alcohol Beverages [Korean, OSY]

http://news.donga.com/3/all/20130411/54351056/1

Summary: Korea Alcohol Beverage Industry Association (KABIA) reported on April 10 that average amount of alcohol consumed by Koreans over 15 years old was 9.14 liters in 2011, continuing on the decline from 9.44 liters in 2007 and 9.16 liters in 2010.  While beer and soju both recorded decline in consumption, rice wine marked a slight increase, KABIA added.  According to an OECD report, Korean’s per capita alcohol consumption was 9 liters in 2012, ranking 22^nd among 34 OECD countries.