Minister Song Mi-ryung of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said, "Like the United States' annually published 'National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report,' Korea will also create an NTE report that can set country-by-country export strategies for agri-food."
The Minister said this at a press briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the 5th.
The Minister said, "The United States uses the NTE report to craft market-access strategies by country," adding, "Korea will also systematically整理 the quarantine stages, market conditions, and demand items for key export destinations to create an export target list." The Minister added, "We will push quarantine negotiations aggressively, and the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency will pick up speed to increase the share of fresh agricultural exports."
The Minister explained recent achievements in expanding exports and upcoming schedules. The Minister said, "For Chinese sweet persimmons, all quarantine procedures are complete, but a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two countries is needed for final exports," adding, "On-site inspections of local facilities remain, so full-scale exports will likely be possible from early next year, about three months from now."
The need to overhaul the farm income statistics system was also mentioned. The Minister said, "If you look only at farm income now, it hovers around 10 million won, making it hard for young people to see a future in agriculture," adding, "Like in Europe, we will review a method of including transfer income (such as subsidies) in farm income when releasing figures." The Minister added, "We will work with related ministries to shift to an income framework that reflects reality."
Regarding whether to expand the basic income pilot project for rural and fishing communities, the Minister said, "For two years, we will focus on monitoring pilot sites and review effectiveness and the sustainability of funding," adding, "If there are results, it could be expanded into a full program." For the basic income pilot project for rural and fishing communities, which will begin next year, 49 of the 69 counties in depopulated areas applied, and seven counties were selected.
On NongHyup's review of acquiring Homeplus Co., the Minister said, "NongHyup's financial conditions are not easy, and the possibility of harm to farms must also be considered," adding, "We will closely examine whether it is helpful."
Regarding the recently pursued "chicken belt" initiative, the Minister explained, "We aim to expand the existing gourmet belt project to highlight regional characteristics of chicken and develop it into a project that connects tourism and revitalization of rural areas." The Minister added, "We will also ease regulations related to traditional liquor and push system improvements, including encompassing both diluted and distilled soju."
On measures to eradicate shrinkflation (leaving product prices the same while reducing volume or size, effectively raising prices), the Minister said, "We are discussing response measures with the Fair Trade Commission and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety," adding, "We are reviewing ways to enhance consumers' right to know, such as labeling weights by cut."