'Rice Originator' Record High... 150,000 Tons Supported to 17 Countries Including Africa and Latin America

An Increase of 50,000 Tons Compared to Last Year’s 100,000 Tons
Rice to Be Provided to 8.18 Million People

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 18th that this year, through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), it will provide 150,000 tons of rice to a total of 8.18 million people, including refugees, forcibly displaced persons, and malnourished children in 17 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. This is to contribute to alleviating the severe international food crisis caused by climate change and conflicts.

Korea transitioned from a recipient country to a donor country in the international community for the first time upon joining the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2009. Since joining the Food Assistance Convention (FAC) in 2018, Korea has been providing 50,000 tons of rice annually. In 2024, the scale of food aid was expanded to 100,000 tons, supporting 7.67 million people in 11 countries in Africa and the Middle East. This year, the support volume will be further increased to 150,000 tons, providing rice to a total of 8.18 million people.

The government selected 17 countries as recipients considering the Global Hunger Index and the acceptability of Korean rice. Especially this year, by including Cuba, with which diplomatic relations were established last year, in the list of supported countries, the support of Korean rice has expanded to Latin America, further enhancing Korea’s status in the international community and continuing its role in resolving the global food crisis.

Since this year’s volume is the largest ever, the support will be provided twice, in the first and second halves of the year, considering the food situation in recipient countries and domestic logistics conditions. The shipments will depart around April and October through a total of four ports?Ulsan, Gunsan, Mokpo, and Busan?and distribution to beneficiaries is scheduled to begin in July this year.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to pursue multifaceted support, recognizing that international attention and aid for countries facing food crises due to climate change and civil wars are more urgent than ever. According to the five-year roadmap for international agricultural cooperation (2025?2029) announced in January, representative agricultural brand projects such as the K-Rice Belt and smart farms will be gradually expanded. Additionally, to ensure systematic project management, a dedicated team (Global Agricultural Development Promotion Team) has been established within the ministry, and a specialized support agency has been designated and will be operated.

Jeong Hyeryeon, Director of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "Now in its eighth year, the food aid project has become a representative program that signifies our elevation to an advanced country, having previously received support from the WFP. We will continue to expand the target countries and support items of the food aid project to contribute to overcoming the global food crisis."

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