The southern resort island of Jeju is set to export its famous winter specialty, "Gyul" tangerines, to New Zealand for the first time.
This marks a significant development in trade between South Korea and New Zealand, particularly since the two countries began negotiations for tangerine exports in 1999. The talks faced challenges due to the discovery of citrus canker in Jeju.
The first batch of Gyul exports, totaling 640 kilograms, is scheduled to be shipped via a direct flight to Auckland, with a larger container of approximately 18 tons set to be sent from Busan Port on November 18. Jeju plans to export around 100 tons of Gyul to New Zealand by the end of 2023, and further exports to countries such as the United States, Canada, Russia, and Southeast Asian nations are also in the pipeline.
Gyul, a citrus fruit cultivated in Jeju since the fifth century, has historical significance and is a favorite winter snack among South Koreans. This development opens up new markets for Jeju's agricultural produce, providing economic opportunities for local farmers.
Source: www.ajudaily.com