José Miguel Sepúlveda, Chilean Commercial Attaché in South Korea, says that during these health emergency months there have been no food shortages, since the South Korean government has taken timely measures and provided guarantees to avoid speculation in food prices. Additionally, the South Korean government has kept the country open, except for quarantine restrictions. Regarding transportation of cargo, ports and airports are operating at full capacity, allowing Chilean exports to keep entering the country.
One of the measures implemented is the creation of a group of countries from the region to agree on measures that guarantee food supply and prevent additional difficulties in the most affected and least developed countries.
There is valid concern among South Korean importers about the ability of suppliers to maintain or meet their trade commitments, mainly with food products. This concern arises from potential blockages and domestic quarantines imposed by supplying countries, in addition to the logistical difficulties each country is facing. Chile must pay attention to this issue, since the country has not had any difficulties so far and thus, this is an opportunity to grow its market share and position its brand.
With this goal in mind, we have promoted measures and coordinated specific actions between Chilean and South Korean authorities to facilitate trade. One of these measures is the exchange of information on certificates for Chilean food products to enter the country in a timely manner, without major delays in customs.
This trade facilitation between both countries is a recognition of the competence of Chilean health agencies, who have become a key player in maintaining commercial flow. It is the duty of all those involved in the production and exporting chain to protect this intangible asset, which the Chilean public and private sectors have built throughout the years, particularly in times of great global commercial uncertainty.[:]
