South Korea: Depending on low tariff rate quota imports, our agriculture is collapsing

Published 2023년 6월 12일

Tridge summary

The Agriculture and Farmers Policy Research Institute, Nyoreum, has released a report expressing concerns over the government's low tariff rate quota (TRQ) imports such as green onions and ginger, stating that this import-dependent policy could potentially destroy the domestic agricultural production base. The institute criticizes the lack of proper analysis of the short-term and long-term effects on farmers and argues that the reckless import dependence policy is weakening the price competitiveness of domestic agricultural products. The institute recommends a policy to increase domestic food self-sufficiency to protect domestic agriculture and achieve price stability, suggesting benefits for both farmers and consumers by expanding food support policies that promote the consumption of domestic agricultural products.

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Original content

While the government introduced low tariff rate quota (TRQ, market access quantity) imports such as green onions and ginger this year for price stability, claims were raised that such an import-dependent policy could collapse the domestic agricultural production base. The Agriculture and Farmers Policy Research Institute, Nyoreum, argued this in a recently published report titled “Trq Increase, Critical Awareness of Agricultural Product Import Reliance Policy.” In the report, Deputy Director Lee Soo-min said, "Currently, TRQ imports rarely impose tariffs or impose low tariffs of 5-50% up to the amount set by the World Trade Organization (WTO), but if the quota is exceeded, a much higher tax rate must be applied." He pointed out, "That's why they say it's a non-tariff measure and a self-protection device, but it's not actually being operated that way." According to the report, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance’s “Rules on Increase in Market Access Quantity” stipulates the items ...

Source: Nongmin