Updated Oct.12,2004 14:25 KST

Kimchi Imports Threaten Local Makers
Korea is the home of kimchi, the spicy, pickled-cabbage dish known for
healthy qualities and for setting mouths afire. A little-known fact is
that Korea imports huge quantities of kimchi because of the cheap price
of ingredients in China.

That has local cabbage farmers worried about falling demand. Imports of
kimchi, expected to rise by 65-percent over the next 10 years, are
challenging Korea's reputation as the home of the spicy pickled
vegetable.

There are growing concerns that the increase in imports of kimchi will
crimp domestic cabbage production, hurting earnings among farmers here.
According to Korean government statistics, kimchi imports are seen
surging to 43,000 tons in 2008 from 28,700 metric tons in 2003. In the
first half of this year, imports of kimchi already stood at 23,000
tons. That figure is expected to top 47,000 metric tons in 2012.

Due to a decrease in local demand and rising kimchi imports,
researchers at the Korea Rural Economic Institute predict the amount of
cabbage output in Korea will drop by 18.2 percent by 2012. Prices of
cabbage will drop as much as 28.4 percent.

Officials at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry say Korean-made
kimchi is more expensive than the imported product.

High in vitamins, minerals, and lactic acid, kimchi is eaten at almost
every meal by Koreans. But local restaurants, which are the largest
buyers of kimchi, are increasingly favoring imported kimchi due to
their cheaper price. Officials say it may be too late to turn the tide
as the local restaurant market is already dominated by cheap Chinese
kimchi.

Arirang TV