South Korea's Coffee, Tobacco Imports Increase Sharply

Source from:  Asia Pulse  06/22/2007

SEOUL, June 21 Asia Pulse - South Korea's coffee and tobacco imports rose sharply in the first five months of this year, from the same period last year, the country's customs office said Thursday. South Korea's coffee imports increased 19 per cent year-on-year to US$92 million in the January-May period, while tobacco imports rose 31.3 per cent to $91 million, the Korea Customs Service said. South Korea bought the largest portion of the coffee from Vietnam, where prices are low, it said. The country imported $25.3 million worth of coffee from Vietnam and $15.9 million worth from Brazil. It also bought $13.1 million worth from Colombia and $10.5 million worth from Honduras. Meanwhile, South Korea's coffee exports rose 33.1 per cent to $58.7 million worth. Russia, Australia and China were among the major buyers. South Korea's tobacco exports increased 11.8 per cent to $136 million, the service said. (Yonhap)