Dive Brief:
- The United States and South Korea have signed an agreement recognizing each other's organic standards, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- The pact means that American organic-food processors can now sell their goods as "organic" in South Korea. The same is true for growers and processors in South Korea who wish to export to the U.S.
- The deal covers a variety of food products including frozen meals and baby foods. Fresh produce is not covered in the pact.
Dive Insight:
Back in January, when South Korea imposed new rules on imports of organic foods, it put a halt to a small but important market. Exports of organic produce to Korea in 2013 were worth some $35 million, according to the USDA.
Deals like this one can be of tremendous value to small and mid-sized exporters. The U.S. has signed comparable pacts with the European Union, Japan, and Canada, and there was no reason why other allies like Korea should treat U.S. products differently.
