#Korea Onion Export at a Record High

The Korean onion exports are flourishing, reaching the maximum results. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs(MAFRA) and Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation(aT), the onion exports reached 33,300 tons as of the end of July. After exceeding its initial target of 15,000 tons in early July, an additional amount of 18,000 tons has been exported within the same month. This is the largest export ever, exceeding the annual maximum volume of 24,000 tons.

The Onion exports from Korea have also achieved a diversification of export markets following the quantitative growth. From May to June, when onion exports began this year, Taiwan, the main importer, accounted for more than 90% of exports. Recently, the exports to Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, China, the United States and Singapore have also increased to 33%.

The MAFRA and aT operated onion promotion stand at the Malaysia Fair in June, and held ‘Korean Onion Week’ at 191 stores in 8 countries from July to August. What's more, tasting events and sales promotion at 130 Carrefour stores were organized in Taiwan, the leading importer of Korean onion. A series of promotional events are also under preparation such as sports marketing in connection with The Lamigo Monkeys, a professional baseball team based in Taiwan; buyer on-site sales; and online promotion. There will be another fair in Hong Kong, ‘HKTDC Food EXPO’ scheduled from August 15th to 17th, where Korean fresh agricultural products like onions, garlic and paprika will be publicized.

In addition, the aT requested 72 onion exporters to comply with the export order and maintain thorough grade control in order to prevent products with low in value and quality. Through several promotional events, it plans to further diversify exporting countries and establish new export complexes to construct the foundation for continued export.

Shin Hyun-gon, the director of aT Food Export, said, “We believe that the record of the largest onion export volume will be a great help to onion producers who are having difficulties in securing sales. In the future, we will strive even harder to ensure the current boom lead to continued export expansion so that our exporters, governments, local governments, and related organizations can cooperate and work together.”

#First Korean Peach in Cambodia

Korea’s most commonly consumed summer fruit, peach, was introduced for the first time in large supermarket chain in Cambodia.

The aT has celebrated the entry of Korean peaches at Lucky Supermarket by holding a promotional event, ‘Nham Nham Korean Peach.’ Nham is a Cambodian local word meaning ‘to eat’.

At the event, a peach with yogurt tasting became popular with consumers. The aT has focused on promoting that Korean peaches are rich in vitamins, which are good for fatigue recovery and rich in fiber, which is good for strong intestines. As for the support of peach export, Korean peaches are continuously sold at all 19 Lucky Supermarket stores in Cambodia along with promotional events.

#Korean Jokbal and Soju captivate the Philippines

The MAFRA and the aT said that the Korean agricultural products had a total of USD 15.8 million in export consultations at the Philippines Food Fair(WOFEX 2019).

At the Korea Pavilion, where 12 exporters attended from food industry including processed meat, liquor, and mushrooms, introduced Korea's typical late-night snack such as Soju, and cool summer drink Yuzade to target the local market. As the influence of the Korean Wave through K-drama has been a huge success also in the Philippines, young Filipinos who visited the Korean Pavilion showed particular interest and continued their tasting throughout the fair. Robertino, a purchasing agent for the Philippines distributor who also visited the Korea Pavilion, said, “Korean Jokbal is similar to ‘Crispy Tapa’, a Filipino pork trotter dish. The cooking recipes with healthy ingredients such as garlic and ginger are plus points for Korean Jokbal. ”

#Qingdao Logistics Center, a hub for Korea Agricultural Products

The ‘Qingdao Logistics Center’ in Qingdao, China, has the highest operation rate and is becoming a hub for Korean agricultural products. The Center has an area of ​​13,669㎡ and can be classified and stored 'at room temperature, refrigerated and frozen', which is practical to keep and distribute fresh export items such as grapes, mushrooms, and milk.

The aT is also implementing ‘China One-Stop Export Assistance Program’ for small and medium-sized exporters through Qingdao Logistics Center to facilitate with national standards(GB), ingredient inspection, labeling, trademark applications, and sanitation certificates. Besides, the aT has established cold chain transportation networks in 19 major cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, to support the inland transportation for export of agricultural products.