[Summary]Uncertain Trade Path for South Korea’s Kimchi

Uncertain Trade Path for South Korea’s Kimchi

By ALEXANDRA STEVENSONJULY 29, 2015

Summary:

The article said that China plans to reconsider its strict import hygiene standards so that South Korea can export its kimchi to China. In the past, South Korea's kimchi could not export to China because it didn't pass the import hygiene standards of China. In contrast, cheaper Chinese kimchi flowed into South Korea, and seriously struck local producer. Now, the trade between China and South Korea becomes more frequent. Recently, China signed a free-trade agreement with South Korea in June, and plans to revise its regulations on kimchi, which will benefit the Korean kimchi producer. However, the article said that it may be still hard to reverse the damage for Korea because Chinese kimchi is too cheap so that it is difficult for Korea to grab their business back. Besides, although the UN named kimchi to cultural heritage list, the young generations don't make their own kimchi like before. Some rarely even eat it.

Original link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/30/business/international/chinese-trade-rules-put-south-koreas-kimchi-industry-in-a-pickle.html?_r=1

Best regards.

Grace