Korean persimmons are expected to be exported to the Chinese market for the first time as early as this year. South Korea and China have resumed their agricultural cooperation committee after eight years and agreed to expand collaboration in areas such as smart agriculture and livestock disease control.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that Vice Minister Kim Jong-goo visited Beijing from September 6 to 7 to participate in the 19th Korea-China Agricultural Cooperation Committee, hold high-level talks with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China and the General Administration of Customs, and meet with K-food export companies.
During the Korea-China Agricultural Cooperation Committee meeting on September 7, five key topics were discussed: agricultural innovation based on science and technology, climate change response, fostering young farmers, cross-border animal disease response, and the preservation of globally significant agricultural heritage. The two countries shared major policies and sought cooperative measures through joint responses.
Cooperation in smart agriculture and livestock disease control will also be strengthened. Vice Minister Kim discussed enhancing exchanges between agricultural technology research institutes and companies with Zhang Zili, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China. The Chinese side responded positively to a proposal to establish a 'Korea-China Veterinary and Quarantine Regular Consultative Body' to regularly share information on cross-border livestock infectious diseases and quarantine policies.
Negotiations for quarantine measures to expand K-food exports are also gaining momentum. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has agreed with the General Administration of Customs of China to conduct a local inspection of Korean persimmon export farms in October. This follows the memorandum of understanding on the export of Korean persimmons signed during a summit in November last year. The ministry expects that once the local inspection and registration procedures for export farms are completed, the first export of Korean persimmons to China will be possible within this year.
Quarantine negotiations for the export of Jeju beef to China are also underway. Vice Minister Kim has requested the Chinese side's interest and cooperation to ensure the smooth progress of the recently initiated quarantine negotiations for Jeju beef.
Vice Minister Kim held a meeting with K-food export companies and related organizations in Beijing to listen to market trends and export challenges. Attendees included representatives from CJ, Pulmuone, Hite Jinro, KappaINT, the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), the Rural Development Administration, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, and the Korea Rural Economic Institute. He also visited the local distribution store, Hema Xiansheng, in Wangjing to check on K-food sales.
Vice Minister Kim stated, “The successful hosting of the 19th Korea-China Agricultural Cooperation Committee has laid the groundwork for both countries to wisely overcome issues such as climate change and cross-border livestock disease response, while strengthening cooperation in smart agricultural technology.” He added, “As China is the second-largest market for K-food exports with significant growth potential, the government will do its utmost to ensure that progress in quarantine negotiations for promising fresh agricultural and livestock products leads to an expansion of K-FRESH exports.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.