American Lobster Sales Promotion in Home Plus Stores ... 17,450 Won per One Lobster [Korean, OSY]

http://news.donga.com/3/all/20161211/81787004/1

Summary: Home Plus, the second largest hypermarket grocery store chain in Korea launched a special sales promotion on American lobster on December 11.  The promotion is scheduled to last until December 21.  During the promotion, one lobster is going being offered at 17,450 won (about $15).

Price of Fresh Eggs Up 5 Percent due to Avian Influenza [Korean, OSY]

http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2016121292201

Summary: Major retail store chains in Korea increased the retail price of fresh eggs by about 5 percent from December 8 as the supply of eggs from local farms declined significantly under the on-going spread of avian influenza outbreaks.

Korean Government Orders 48 Hours Sanction on Poultry Industry to Stop Further Spread of Avian Influenza ... Over 10 Million Birds have been Depopulated [Korean, OSY]

http://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0102_201611260008164754

Summary: Korean government announced that it had prohibited transportation and movement of birds and workers in the local poultry industry for 48 hours from midnight December 13 in an effort to stop further spread of avian influenza (AI) in the country.  The outbreak of AI in Korea has so far resulted in the depopulation of over 10 million chicken and ducks since November 16.

7.7 Million Birds were Depopulated over the LastThree Weeks due to Avian Influenza [Korean, OSY]

http://news.donga.com/3/all/20161209/81748677/1

Summary:Since the first outbreak of avian influenza reported in Korea this year onNovember 16, over 7.7 million local chickens and ducks have been depopulated asof December 8.  With additional outbreaks expected in the coming days, itis likely that the number of depopulated birds will exceed 10 million sooner orlater.  The largest depopulation number recorded in Korea previously was14 million in 2014.  Experts point out that the spread of the avianinfluenza this time has been on a much quicker pace compared to the 2014case.  Opinions are divided among the experts if vaccination should beintroduced to stop the spread.  People who are against the vaccinationclaim that the long lead time (about 6 months) needed to develop a vaccine forthe H5N6 type virus would make the vaccination project unpractical as thecurrent avian influenza outbreak would come to an end before the actualimplementation of the vaccine.  On the other hand, people who support thevaccination argue that the vaccine for the H5N6 type virus is already availablefrom China and Southeast Asian countries.

Lotte Mart Launches "Cleanse Juice"[Korean, OSY]

http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/photos/1990000000.html?cid=PYH20161207174000013&input=1196m

Summary:Lotte Mart, the third largest hypermarket store chain in Korea, launched"cleanse juice" products on December 7.  The products offerfresh squeeze juice blends from various fruits and vegetables that are knownfor helping remove toxic substances out of the body.   One 350mlbottle is offered at 4,300 won.

'Bibigo Wang-Gyoja', Microwavable Frozen Dumpling byCJ Cheiljedang Marks 100 Billion Won of Sales for the First Time in theIndustry ... Frozen Dumpling Market Reports Solid Growth [Korean, OSY]

http://news.donga.com/3/all/20161207/81727862/1

Summary:CJ Cheiljedang, the leading food processor in Korea reported that the sales ofits 'Bibigo Wang-Gyoja' microwavable frozen dumpling exceeded 100 billion wonthis year through November.  CJ commented that 'Bibigo Wang-Gyoja' was thefirst frozen dumpling product in the industry that achieved 100 billion won ofannual sales.  Among CJ's numerous product portfolio, only four products,including the 'Bibigo Wang-Gyoja' frozen dumpling, have achieved 100 millionwon of sales this year, CJ added.  According to a report by Linkaztech, amarket research firm, frozen dumpling industry sales in Korea amounted to 296billion won this year through October, up 11 percent from two years ago. Marketers point out that the growth of the sales is due to increaseddemand for quick meal solution products from people living alone as well asimproved product quality.

KDI Lowers Its Economic Growth Rate Forecast for2017 to 2.4% [Korean, OSY]

http://news.joins.com/article/20977153

Summary:Korea Development Institute (KDI), the lead think tank of the Koreangovernment, announced on December 7 that it has revised its forecast for theKorean economic growth rate for 2017 from 2.7 percent down to 2.4percent.  It is notable that KDI's revised forecast is lower than theforecasts by the Bank of Korea (2.8%) and the OECD (2.6%).  KDI explainedthat the revised forecast reflects its weaker expectations on consumer spendingand export sector performance for the coming year.

Imported Beef Outsells Local Beef in HypermarketStores for the First Time ... Sales of Local Beef Plunges as the Price Hikes... [Korean, OSY]

http://news.donga.com/3/all/20161206/81705310/1

Summary:Sales of imported beef is forecast to exceed local beef in hypermarket storesthis year for the first time.  According to E Mart, the leadinghypermarket store chain in Korea, imported beef accounted for 54.8 percent ofits total beef sales this year through November.  The sales share of localbeef has been on a decline since 2014 as the price of local beef has increasedsignificantly.

Mobile Shopping Outsells Department Stores This Year[Korean, OSY]

http://news.donga.com/3/all/20161205/81682946/1

Summary:According to Korea National Statistics Office data, cash-register sales of themobile shopping industry in Korea amounted to 27 trillion won this year throughOctober, which was larger than department store industry sales, 24 trillionwon.  Mobile shopping has also become the leading sales channel of theon-line shopping industry this year as mobile shopping accounted for a 56.1percent of overall on-line shopping industry sales in October.  Overallon-line shopping industry sales amounted to 52.5 trillion won this year throughOctober.