양념채소류 수입관리제도 개선방안

Abstract

고추와 마늘 등 양념채소류는 농가의 주요소득원인 동시에 국민 식생활의 기초식재료로서 매우 중요한 품목이다. 농업생산액에서도 쌀과 축산물과 함께 높은 비중을 차지하는 품목으로 주요 농정대상이다. 양념채소는 UR협상 결과에 따라 기존의 수입제한조치를 고율관세로 전환하는 대신 소비량의 일정 부분을 저율관세로 의무수입하도록 한 시장접근(MMA) 대상품목이다. UR 이후 냉동 고추와 마늘 등 유사·대체품목의 수입 증가로 고추와 마늘의 수입량이 큰 폭으로 증가한 반면, 국내적으로는 농촌 노동력 부족과 고령화, 농촌의 고임금, 수익구조의 악화 등으로 재배면적과 생산량이 감소하는 추세에 있다. 고추와 마늘의 국내 생산기반을 유지하기 위해서는 생산 및 유통체계를 더욱 선진화하여 품질과 가격 경쟁력을 높이는 동시에 수입관리제도를 효과적으로 개선할 필요가 있다. 특히 국영무역에 의한 수입관리방식은 수입권 공매제 등 다른 방식에 비해 투명성과 효율성이 떨어지는 것으로 알려져 향후 DDA 협상 등에서 논란이 예상되므로 미리 대비할 필요가 있다. 이 연구는 고추와 마늘의 수입관리제도 개선방안을 제시할 목적으로 수행된 것이다. 이를 위해 양념채소 수급 분석 및 전망, 관세할당제도의 개념 및 국제적인 운용 현황, 수입관리제도의 문제점, 중국의 양념채소 공급능력, 수입제도 개선 방안 등을 다루었다.

The purpose of this study was to suggest the strategies for improving import system of spicy vegetables including red pepper and garlic which are under the tariff rate quota (TRQ) system resulted from the conclusion of Uruguay Round (UR) on agriculture. The basic problems facing spicy vegetable industries are that the import of quasi or alternative products have surged since the implementation of TRQ due to the low rate of tariffs. For example, in quota tariff rate for red pepper is 270% while out quota tariff rate is 50%. Bounded tariff rate of frozen red pepper is 27%. The total import of red pepper increased from 29,915 M/T in 2000 to 86,323 M/T in 2008. In quota tariff rate for garlic is 50% while out quota tariff rate is 360%. Like red pepper the bounded tariff rate for frozen garlic is only 27%. The total impot of garlic also expanded from 54,316 M/T in 2003 to 53,452 M/T in 2008. Accordingly, the question on the effectiveness of TRQ has been continually raised, which was originally purposed to protect spicy vegetable industries. At present, major part of TRQ of red pepper is managed by state trading system, and part of it is allocated by the license on demand, while that of garlic is under the state trading system. It is forecasted that cultivation area and production of red pepper and garlic would continue to decrease. In 2020, the cultivation area and production of red pepper will be 37,439 ha and 109 thousand M/T, 7,378 ha and 8,000 M/T less than in 2009 respectively. Similarly, in the same period, the cultivation area and production of garlic will be dropped by 1,373ha and 67,000 M/T. There are four fundamental problems of import system of spicy vegetables. First, the TRQ function for protecting producers is vulnerable due to the import surge of quasi or alternative products. Second, owing to the state trading element, the efficiency of TRQ management is low. Thirdly, current import system of spicy vegetables may cause trade conflicts especially because of not fulfilling TRQ. Lastly, it may violate the spirits of fair trade in the domestic market by restricting fair competition. The strategies for improving import system of spicy vegetables are suggested as follows; First, in order to make import system more efficient, part of TRQ should be managed by auctioning. Of course the government should keep certain amount of TRQ for stabilizing domestic market. Secondly, the state trading entity needs to import high quality of spicy vegetables to meet domestic demand. Thirdly, the early warnig system needs to be established to make domestic market stable. Fourthly, illegal marketing of import products should be strongly controlled.

Researchers: Byung Ryul Kim, Oh Bok Kwon, Young Kwang Sin, Suk Ho Han and Min Ji Park Research period: 2010. 2. 25~6.30 E-mail address: brkim@krei.re.kr