Korean rice and samgyetang might enter Chinese market next month

Korean rice will be served on tables in Chinese homes in the beginning of next month at the earliest as Chinese customs authority decided to issue sanitary certificate to 30 tons of Korean rice that has been tied in the Shanghai customs.

According to the Trade, Industry and Energy Ministry's announcement made on Saturday, Minister Joo Hyung-hwan urged on Zhi Shuping, director of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, to solve the rice inspection issue as soon as possible during 'the 1st Korea-China Ministerial Meeting on Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine' held on Friday in China. The Korean government's initial expectation was that the customs clearance for the 30 tons of rice exported to the Port of Shanghai at the end of January would be swiftly processed and soon be available in Lotte Mart in Shanghai and nearby cities. However, the clearance for the rice has not proceeded yet due to a non-tariff barrier called the sanitary and phytosanitary measures.

Export of Korean rice, samgyetang, and kimchi to China that was agreed during the last meeting in November last year were more specifically discussed in this ministerial meeting. The two countries agreed that Korea will start exporting samgyetang, which has gained popularity from Chinese tourists, in the first half of this year. They also reached an agreement on export of Korean seafood to China starting within this year, which includes frozen cutlass fish, frozen butterfish, and two other kinds of seafood.

Both countries found a middle ground for solving non-tariff barrier issues on Korean food, medicine, and electronics: Food and medicine that are certified for safety by Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will be automatically certified by the Chinese authorities as well. China will also take less time to certify Korean electronics including TVs. "Korean electric car battery will be examined for safety with Korean company's presence and later the Chinese government will decide whether it will provide subsidy," a ministry official said.

세종=손영일 기자scud2007@donga.com