Korean consumers remain skeptic of import products

The organization was previously known as the Korea Trading Agencies Association (KTAA) and the Association of Foreign Trading Agents of Korea (AFTAK).

According to Ahn Byung-soo Ph.D, President of the Import Research Institute, there is still a big number of Korean consumers who are still reluctant to purchase imported fruits or vegetables.

Many Korean consumers are skeptical of buying these products due to lack of familiarity with the fruit or vegetable available on the market. The high prices also discourage them.

Mr. Byung-soo added, "There are also enough local products to choose like melon, pear, strawberries and apple which the Korean consumers enjoy."

Tropical fruit like mangoes and coconuts are still unknown to some Korean consumers. This is a result of having limited foreign agricultural products in the country where the government limits import activities and is still, conservative with the idea.

Protecting the local products in the market is another reason for setting the limit, not to mention the need to protect Korea against pests and diseases from fruit and vegetables.

Pineapple, banana and oranges are the most popular import products in Korea which Chilean grapes have been added to the list as a result of Korea-Chile FTA.