A fresh opportunity has emerged for the export of Korean mandarins to the Philippines, following a year of negotiations that have culminated in the easing of previously stringent quarantine requirements. This development, announced by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency on the 20th, marks a significant shift in the export dynamics of fresh Korean mandarins to the Philippines, potentially ending a decade-long export hiatus.
The initial agreement in 2010 permitted the export of fresh Korean mandarins to the Philippines but mandated that transportation be limited to cargo ships, with each packaging box sealed. The rigorous inspection protocol, requiring a 10% inspection of imports upon arrival in the Philippines, hampered export performance. This resulted in a meager total export of 34 tons over 2013 and 2014, with no subsequent exports recorded since 2015.
The recent negotiations have paved the way for enhanced export methods and quarantine procedures. Notably, the transportation of mandarins via air cargo is now feasible, and the packaging has transitioned from individual boxes to container units. Furthermore, the on-site inspection rate has been significantly reduced from 10% to a mere 2%.
Kim Jeong-hee, head of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, emphasized the agency's commitment to addressing the concerns of farmers and related industries by exploring new export markets for agricultural products. He stated, "We will continue to reflect the opinions of farmers and related industries to explore new export markets for our agricultural products," and added, "To ensure smooth exports, we plan to understand the difficulties faced by farmers regarding export quarantine requirements and push for further negotiations."
Source: ChosunBiz