Australia: Quality good, prices up for South Korean Paprika
Simon K. Lee, of Kozline Pty Ltd., has been importing capsicum peppers into Australia from South Korea for several years, and he noted that prices have been low this year for Australian Capsicum.
“Prices last year were good, but this year they haven't been as strong,” said Lee. He added that because there's a healthy market for the peppers in Australia, prices are usually good. But, for reasons he's not exactly sure of, the prices his product commands haven't been as attractive as in past years. Because this year, the market is slow and the produce of Australian capsicum has increase sharply and is cheap. What has been attractive, according to Lee, has been the quality of peppers.
“As of last year, I was the only importer of capsicum, so there's not much competition” he said. Because of that, he's able to take advantage of the healthy demand for peppers in Australia. That demand had him shipping 850 five-kilogram cartons per week last year during a season which lasted from April through September. This year has been much less in terms of volume, because the prices just haven't been as favorable.
“With little competition, I supply the wholesale markets in Sydney and Melbourne,” he said. “But even with that advantage, the biggest threat to my business right now is the price. At the moment, capsicum is very, very cheap in Australia.”
For more information:
Simon K. LEE/이 강 수
Kozline Pty Ltd.
Tel: +61-2-9743-8900
Mob: +61-41-700-5234
Fax: +61-2-9743-8800