August 16, 2007

Chinese food gains popularity in South Korea

South Korea is expected to import an estimated W4 trillion (US$4.2 billion) in Chinese food products this year, compared to last year's W3 trillion (US$3.2 billion) as Chinese food becomes more popular.

South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Fisheries said that some W2 trillion (US$2.1 billion) of Chinese farm, fisheries and livestock products were imported in the first half of the year.

Chinese food products is gaining popularity among restaurants in South Korea, Although Korean homes still prefer domestic produce, restaurants particularly those catering to college students and office workers, increasingly use Chinese ingredients.

Half of Chinese food imported are processed products and the percentage is rising. Imports of traditional fermented seasonings such as soy sauce, soy and chili pastes rose sharply while coffee, instant noodles, ice cream and bone byproducts are finding new markets in South Korea. 

Thanks to lower tariffs, soy sauce imports tripled in the first half of this year, while chili paste doubled. Half the carrots found in South Korea now comes from China.

Even Chinese dogs seemed to have found a market here, as food, not pets.

According to the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service, an airline passenger can bring in up to four animals a month as long as the person can show proof that the animals have been vaccinated.