[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Kim Hyewon] On the 27th (local time), Kim Chunjin, President of the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, visited a Non-GM soybean and corn cultivation farm in Illinois, USA, to check on the sowing progress and inspect the site, the corporation announced on the 28th.
President Kim visited the river elevator of CGB Enterprises, a grain distribution company handling Non-GM soybeans, to observe the waterborne transportation of grains from the Illinois River to the Mississippi River and the export process, and discussed stable grain supply measures with industry officials.
President Kim stated, "Last year, South Korea imported more than 80% of its total Non-GM soybean imports from the United States," and urged thorough quality and residue inspections of Non-GM soybeans supplied to Korea to ensure safe food for the public. The United States is the world's second-largest producer and exporter of soybeans, with Illinois producing 18.3 million tons of soybeans last year.
He added, "For food security, it is important to understand the U.S. grain infrastructure and production status," emphasizing, "We will expand international grain market information research and networks and, in the mid to long term, devise measures to improve food self-sufficiency."
In response to the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict and food export restrictions by some countries accelerating the food crisis, the government and the corporation are preparing and implementing mid- to long-term measures to increase the self-sufficiency rates of major food crops such as wheat and soybeans, which have been dependent on imports. In particular, by strengthening the production base of domestic wheat and soybeans and securing grain-dedicated storage facilities, public stockpiling will be gradually expanded, aiming to raise the self-sufficiency rates of wheat and soybeans to 7% and 37.9%, respectively, by 2027.
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