South Korea Tropical insights

Genetically modified organism (GMO) cotton seeds were found being sold as medicinal herbs in Seoul's Gyeongdong Market and online shopping malls. The GMO cotton seeds, which are strictly regulated and distributed as feed, were found to have leaked through an unidentified route and reached the consumer market, leading to criticism that the government's management system has a hole. According to data submitted to Song Ok-ju, a Democratic Party of Korea member of the National Assembly (Hwaseong-gap, Gyeonggi Province), from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the National Agro-Products Quality Management Service conducted a GMO test on cotton seeds sold in Gyeongdong Market and online shopping malls in March. Preliminary attribute tests showed that cotton seeds sold by companies A and B had positive reactions for GMOs. The National Agro-Products Quality Management Service conducted further detailed tests on the samples, and the results showed that cotton seeds sold ...

[Korean Farmers' News Agency, Reporter Kim Young-min] KyungNong is accelerating the smart farm establishment project in the Philippines, which is being carried out as a service by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). According to KyungNong, the first Business Operation Committee for the "Enhancement of High-Income Crop Value Chain in the Surigao Region through Smart Agriculture" was recently held, co-chaired by KOICA's Philippines Office Director Jeong Young-sun and Cheryl Marie Natividad Caballero, Vice Director of the High Value Crop Development Program at the Philippine Department of Agriculture. The Enhancement of High-Income Crop Value Chain in the Surigao Region through Smart Agriculture will be carried out over a five-year period from 2023 to 2027 with an 8 million dollar grant from KOICA.

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Shin Sun-mi = Due to the recent heatwave, prices of some agricultural products have risen significantly. A combination of poor growth and increased demand has caused some items to rise by over 40% compared to a year ago. According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) on the 3rd, the average retail price of watermelons was 33,337 won per piece as of the 1st, which is 17.6% higher compared to a year ago. Compared to the average price of the past three years excluding the highest and lowest prices from 2020 to last year, it is 25.0% higher. It has risen by 33.7% compared to a month ago. The rise in watermelon prices is due to the impact of poor growth caused by the heatwave and increased demand. The retail price of tomatoes is 6,716 won per kg, which is 42.6% higher than a year ago and 33.2% higher than the average price. It is 69.0% higher than a month ago. In the case of cabbage, which has a large price fluctuation in summer, the retail price per piece is 6,114 won, exceeding 6,000 won. Compared to a year ago and the average price, it has increased by 11.2% and 11.3%, respectively. It is 68.0% higher than a month ago. The retail price of radishes is 2,697 won per piece, which is 4.7% higher than the average price but 10.4% lower than a year ago. Seasonal fruit peaches (Baekdo) are 21,133 won for 10 pieces, which is 25.1% higher than a year ago and 10.6% higher than the average price. Among livestock products, eggs, which have seen an increase in consumption, have risen in price compared to a year ago. According to the Livestock Products Quality Evaluation Institute, the retail price of 30 eggs (special eggs) was 6,984 won as of late last month, which is 7.9% higher than a year ago. The price of chicken meat last month was 6,500 won, which is at the same level as last year (5,998 won). sun@yna.co.kr