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The United States is the leading supplier of imported consumer-oriented agricultural products to the Korean retail industry, shipping a record $6.2 billion in 2021. The outlook for U.S. products in the Korean retail industry is excellent for a wide range of products, including beef, pork, processed meat, vegetables, fruits, nuts, dairy products, juices and soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, condiments and sauces, processed organic foods, coffee, bakery products, snacks and confectioneries.

This report includes technical information and certificate requirements for food and agricultural product exports to the Republic of South Korea. Notable updates include dairy export certification for Korea and the NAQS electronic import certification for processed organic products.

The Republic of Korea (Korea) is a developed Asian country with a global presence in high-tech, automobile, and electronics industries. Korea is an industrial powerhouse with a skilled labor force.

The outlook for U.S. products in the Korean retail industry is excellent for a wide range of products.

The significant rise of dog- and cat-owning households in East Asia presents an opportunity to increase the U.S. exports of pet food.

Elevated food safety concerns coupled with evolved taste of the South Korean consumers generate increased demand for imported organic foods.

In 2016, overall local raw milk products decreased 4.5 percent by a volume of 2 million metric tons (MT), but per capita volume consumption continued to increase to 76.4 kilograms in 2016.

This is an update to Section IV of KS1711, GAIN Report on Korea’s New Biotech Labeling Requirements. A sub-heading “C” has been added under Section IV.

St. Lucia’s establishment of certification requirements for dehydrated manure opened the door further for exports of U.S. animal products...

As the well being trend is set to become even more prominent in Korea – U.S. Equivalency Agreement (KORUS EA) implementation since July 2014, the prospects for imported organic food seem very bright.

The United States has an organic equivalency arrangement with Korea for processed organic products that took effect July 1, 2014. So long as terms of the arrangements are met...

The updates include the U.S.- Korea equivalency arrangement on processed organic products, addition of aflatoxin and some contaminant standards.