Imported milk has enjoyed unexpected popularity in Korea recently, with import volume more than tripling in the past three years alone.
According to the Korea Customs Service, sterilized milk imports last year amounted to 3.74 tons worth 41.5 billion won ($31.1 million), an increase of 32% compared to the previous year and a three-fold increase compared to last year, the Korea Herald reported on Friday. 2020.
Poland has almost a monopoly here. “Nearly 90 percent of imports came from Poland, Then from Australia (4.1%), Germany (3.9%) and France (2.2%).
Poland's Milkovita wins in the Korean “Inflated Milk”.
Why this choice for Koreans? All this is due to “milk hyperplasia” That is: milk enlargement.
Currently, in South Korea, the most common liter milk cartons of the country's three largest dairy processing companies – Seoul, Mael and Namyang – are worth PLN 3,200. Won ($2.40) “Milk from Poland's Malkovita is sold for 2.1 thousand won, which is more than 30 percent cheaper than Korean competitors.” – confirms the newspaper.
The Korea Herald notes that import prices are likely to fall further in the coming years, as milk is set to become duty-free from 2026 under free trade agreements with the United States and European countries.
Moreover, at the end of last year the Commission decided to increase the price of raw milk to PLN 1.25 thousand. won per liter to ease the financial burden on local farmers, which has been met with backlash from consumers and dairy companies. Increases in raw milk prices have sparked a chain reaction, leading to higher prices for dairy products and other foods that use milk.
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