Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, Russia continues to be the primary importer of tangerines from South Korea's Jeju Island. According to the Korea Citrus Export Corporation (KCEC), Russia accounted for 53% of the island's citrus exports last year, receiving 1,775 metric tons out of a total of 3,347 tons exported by 46 registered farms and companies.
Following Russia, Canada imported 558 tons, while the United States received 324 tons. Other markets included Singapore (150 tons), Hong Kong (149 tons), Malaysia (143 tons), Taiwan (78 tons), Mongolia (66 tons), New Zealand (52 tons), Guam (38 tons), and the Philippines (6 tons).
The KCEC, established in 2021, focuses on enhancing Jeju tangerine exports through quality improvement and expanded marketing. The organization includes 18 agricultural cooperatives, five farming corporations, and 23 export companies.
Russia's import demand for Jeju tangerines has been consistent over the past three years, with 1,977 tons imported in 2023 and 1,484 tons in 2022. A decline in citrus imports from China, due to a 2019 ban on Chinese tangerines over pest concerns, has led to increased demand for Jeju's produce in Russia.
Russia's imports peaked at 5,466 tons in 2021. "Russia's imports have more than doubled compared to 2019, when just 687 metric tons were shipped," a KCEC official stated. Proximity to Jeju allows for faster delivery, maintaining freshness, which has been a factor in Russian buyers' preference for Jeju tangerines.
Source: The Korea Herald
