Florida Sunshine Arrives in Korea

Newly harvested Florida grapefruit were featured in Hyundai Department Store in Mok-dong, Seoul, Korea when Mr. Dan Sleep, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services visited Seoul to launch this year’s promotional campaign on November 10, 2012.

U.S. grapefruit, which dominates the Korean market with a 90 percent market share, has enjoyed considerable success in recent years. From 2006 to 2011, Korean imports from the United States grew from $2.7 million to $11.4 million, a 320 percent climb. Although typically priced higher than imported oranges, grapefruit is increasing in popularity, and Red Ruby variety is a favorite of Korean consumers because of its sweet and mild taste. Purported health benefits of consuming grapefruit for an aging population are expected to stimulate demand into the future.

Under KORUS FTA, the 30 percent import duty on grapefruit from the United States will be phased out over a 5-year period. U.S. grapefruit will enter the Korean market duty free on January 1, 2016. To learn more about new trade opportunities please see KORUS FTA.

Wineries Mark Resurgence of American Wines in Korea

Through a series of promotional events California and Washington State wines raised their profiles among the Korean wine trade and consumers alike. Ambassador Kim supported the wine promotion activities by making welcoming remarks at California Wine Institute and Napa Valley Vintners Association trade wine tasting events. Washington State Wine Commission hosted a lunch with opinion leaders and gave interviews that were featured in Wine Review and Wind an’ City, two leading Korean wine journals. Korean wine enthusiasts also jumped at the opportunity to dine with visiting vintners from Napa Valley and discuss their mutual passion for American wines.

KORUS FTA eliminated the 15 percent import tax on American wines and has rekindled Korean consumers’ interest in American wines. For the first nine months of the calendar year, Korean imports of American wines are up more than 22 percent compared to the same period last year, and the United States is recapturing market share previously lost to competitors. For more information on the Korean wine market please see our latest Korean Wine Market Brief.

Great American Culinary Camp 2012

Talented young chefs from the Korean Alumni Association of the Culinary Institute of America demonstrated their creative skills at the Great American Culinary Camp 2012. Using American food products donated by resident USDA cooperators, the chefs developed 16 recipes highlighting the latest trends in restaurant dining in the United States. Six of the sixteen recipes were served to 150 key and appreciative individuals from the Korean HRI sector. Riesling and Pinot Noir wines from Washington and Oregon, respectively, were paired with the lunch which included Lemon Risotto with Deep Fried Rice Paper & Pickled Mustard Seed and Wagyu Rib-Eye Steak with Parsley Crust, Roasted Garlic & Dried Cranberry Rice Vinegar Reduced Sauce. For cooking demonstrations and all sixteen recipes please see Camp Guide. For more information on the Korean HRI sector please see Korea - Food Service - Hotel Restaurant Institutional Report .