September 6, 2007

South Korea to ease restrictions on barley exports

The government of South Korea said Wednesday (September 5) it is moving to lift export restrictions on barley to give farmers a chance to deal with the continuous drop in domestic demand.

The measures, be implemented after the country's grain control law is revised in the coming months, reflects changes in South Korea's diet, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said.

As of late 2006, the barley surplus reached 224,000 tonnes as South Koreans consumed less than two kilograms of the grain per year. The government buys a portion to hold as a national reserve, while 110,000 tonnes are made into animal feed. Last year's barely production was 610,000 tonnes.

A ministry official said there was a shortage of rice and barley when grain control law was in place. The country will no longer buy barley from farmers stating 2012 which translates additional sources of grains.

South Koreans are consuming more wheat, meat and fruits compared in the past which has caused traditional grain consumption to fall off.