The South Korean government said today (10 February) that it will help local livestock producers compete with cheap imports by designating 80 beef and pork brands as premium quality.

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The move is an attempt to prepare the South Koran agricultural sector for increased competition that would arise from foreign imports if the World Trade Organisation were to approve its Doha round talks and the US free trade agreement were to go through.


“Building up premium brands by improving consumer recognition can fuel demand and enable livestock growers to sell their animals at better prices,” the Asia Pulse quotes Park Hae-sang, the deputy agriculture minister, as saying.


Premium meat is seen to have met higher quality and sanitation controls as specified the the South Korean Agriculture Ministry. By the end of the year, an additional 30 premium brands will join the 29 beef and 20 pork brands already carrying the premium label.

“Such meat would be at least 10% more expensive than their non-premium counterparts, but if the people trust the quality, it should sell on the market,” the minister said.

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