The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Feb. 20 announced its so-called K-Food+ Export Innovation Strategy to make domestic cuisine a strategic export sector that leads the global market. Shown is a related promotional booth at a kimchi festival in November last year hosted by the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in Russia. (KCC in Russia)

By Xu Aiying

The government target for agricultural exports is USD 13.5 billion this year and USD 23 billion by 2027.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Feb. 20 announced its so-called K-Food Plus Export Innovation Strategy to make "K-Food Plus" a strategic export industry that leads the global market.

K-Food Plus includes industries related to agricultural products like farm products, smart farms, agricultural equipment and pet food.

Under this strategy, the ministry aims for K-Food Plus exports of USD 13.5 billion this year and USD 23 billion in 2027 under its vision of making K-Food Plus one of the nation's top 10 strategic export industries.

The first task is to improve the export structure and system through the setup of a specialized logistics system in all export stages for fresh agricultural goods for both domestic and overseas sales. 

The number of countries in the overseas cold chain, or rules and procedures to ensure the systematic coordination of activities for ensuring temperature control of goods during storage and transit, will be doubled from six including China, Vietnam and France to 12 by 2027.

More support will also go to overseas logistics centers centered on the world's top 20 airports and ports such as those in Hamburg, Germany, and Chicago. An expedited system for airport customs clearance for exporting fresh produce will also streamline customs procedures such as security checks.

The government will also expand the sphere for K-Food Plus exports. K-Food Fairs and reinforced marketing will seek to advance to the three major new markets of the Middle East, Central and South America, and India. Another measure to boost support for the global halal market is raising the number of countries holding mutual halal recognition accords with Korea from seven to nine.

Cooperation with other ministries will seek to expand Hallyu (Korean Wave)-based marketing and find new export opportunities online. Jointly with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Hallyu-based content like K-dramas will be used to promote outstanding export items and open a pan-government overseas promotion center in the United Arab Emirates.

The number of countries with the K-Food logo trademark registered will reach 55 by this year. The logo certifies that a food product was produced or manufactured in Korea and as of last year, 48 countries including Japan and Australia had completed such registration.

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung said, "By riding the K-Food boom and recovery in global trade, we will achieve this year's export goal and make K-Food Plus a main export industry over the mid to long term by focusing on our policy capacity and boosting private-public and inter-ministerial cooperation."

xuaiy@korea.kr