The purpose of this study is to evaluate the programs to promote exporting Korean agricultural products, and to present the strategies to improve the programs. In Korea, the central government and local governments offer various programs to promote the export of agricultural products, including the direct payment to exporters and/or farmers to lighten the burden of physical distribution cost. Even though these programs have contributed to increase the export, various problems were reported.
In order to present the solutions about the problems, the study analyze the current status and problems of programs: different level of the direct payment of local governments, supports ignoring the situation of products and market environment, and others.
As the results of study, three main strategies were suggested. First, the gradual reduction of direct payment for exporters and farmers and the magnification of the investment for Infrastructure. Second, reorganization of programs of the central government and local governments. Third, conversion of support for individual exporters or farmers to marketing boards.
Some suggestions from this study may not be welcomed by the exporters and/or farmers who are receiving direct payment from the current programs. However, these will be essential to make sustainable increase of export of Korean agricultural products.