Source: Korea Herald
Korea aims to export $6.4 billion worth of farm, fisheries and food products in 2010, up 33 percent from the total forecast for this year, the government said Wednesday.
The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said the sharp increase from the $4.8 billion likely for this year reflects expectations that a worldwide economic recovery will fuel demand.
“The export figure has been intentionally set high for the new year even if the country failed to export $5.3 billion in farm products this year as originally targeted,†deputy farm minister Choi Hyung-kyu said.
He said by setting lofty targets, the government wanted to highlight its goal of shipping out $10 billion worth of farm goods and food by 2012.
The official also said South Korea will further expand international cooperation in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors in the New Year.
“Cooperative arrangements with 16 agriculture companies in six countries such as Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia will permit the country to secure grain resources of 200,000 tons, with closer ties being sought with eight Pacific-rim nations to ensure a steady catch of tuna,†he said.