aT: "Japan's Entry Restrictions Negatively Impact Agricultural Food Exports... Will Expand Marketing"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] As Japan imposes entry restrictions on Koreans citing measures against the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), there are forecasts that such measures could also impact agricultural and food exports.

On the 11th, the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) released a report titled 'Analysis of the Impact on Agricultural and Food Exports Due to Japan's Entry Restrictions,' predicting that Japan's entry restrictions will have medium- to long-term adverse effects on South Korea's agricultural and food exports. Since the 9th, the Japanese government has been implementing entry restrictions on travelers departing from China and South Korea to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

aT commented, "Due to reduced consumption within Japan and restrictions on marketing activities, negative conditions are expected for agricultural and food exports in the second half of the year," adding, "As entry restrictions have been imposed on South Korea and China, the decline in traveler consumption may accelerate the consumption slump within Japan."

Furthermore, it anticipated difficulties in local marketing activities linked to the Tokyo Olympics scheduled for the second half of the year, as exchanges such as inviting Japanese buyers and consultations will be limited.

However, short-term impacts are expected to be limited. aT explained, "Most agricultural and food exports to Japan are transported by ship, so the reduction in passenger flights will not have a significant effect," adding, "Although there are concerns about the impact on items with a high proportion of air exports, such as lilies, the peak export seasons in summer and year-end have passed."

In addition, in response to this measure, aT plans to seek various marketing alternatives such as promotional activities. aT stated, "We will continuously monitor the status of ship and air transportation to Japan and local consumption trends," and "We will promote expanding marketing alternatives such as online promotions and video buyer consultations."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.