Agriculture Minister Music Mi-ryung speaks at a coverage briefing session with affiliated companies of the ministry on the authorities advanced in Sejong, Monday. Yonhap
Korea goals to export a file $16 billion price of foodstuff and agriculture-related merchandise this yr, the agriculture minister stated Monday, because the sector is rising as a brand new development engine for exports with the worldwide recognition of Korean tradition.
The goal, if realized, would mark a 17.5 p.c on-year spike from $13.62 billion in 2025, which marked the most important export determine for the farm and meals sector within the nation’s historical past.
“Regardless of an unfavorable commerce surroundings, corresponding to tariff and non-tariff measures, Korea achieved an all-time excessive in exports within the ‘Okay-Meals Plus’ sector final yr, due to the recognition of Korean meals,” Agriculture Minister Music Mi-ryung stated in a press convention.
“The federal government has set a $16 billion export goal for the Okay-Meals Plus sector in 2026,” she added, vowing assist for native meals corporations to increase their international presence, which she stated will embrace personalized export methods for various areas.
The Okay-Meals Plus sector refers back to the complete agriculture and associated industries, together with farm equipment and veterinary medication.
Relating to commerce points with america, Music stated the federal government has newly established a assist desk devoted to speaking with Washington on sanitary and phytosanitary procedures (SPS) for agricultural imports.
The so-called U.S. desk, created underneath the Animal and Plant Quarantine Company, will assist bolster communication between the nations to expedite obligatory procedures for Seoul’s exports of agricultural merchandise to the U.S., although the process can’t be simplified, she defined.
The minister stated there have been no discussions on any further opening of Korea’s agriculture market, a difficulty that had been reportedly raised in tariff negotiations between the 2 nations final yr.
Seoul officers have stated the nations’ bilateral commerce deal that was reached in October on account of these negotiations didn’t embrace any gadgets associated to better entry to Korea’s agro-livestock market.
With regard to the latest unfold of avian influenza, Music stated the ministry will do its utmost to curb the animal illness, which has been driving up egg costs.
The nation has confirmed 34 chicken flu circumstances this winter as of final week.
