The program for citrus exports to South Korea is underway, beginning last Wednesday, June 7.

Citrus Australia market access manager, David Daniels, said the inspector, Ms Su-Ji lee, arrived on Tuesday, June 6, and met with government officials.

All citrus exports from Victoria and New South Wales must be inspected by the pre-clearance inspector prior to departure. The program will run out of Seaway Logistics in Melbourne until August 30.

“While it is definitely going to be a difficult season to supply the Korean market with larger-sized fruit, we still expect well over a thousand tonnes to be exported,” David said.

“As an interesting aside, Ms Lee lives on Jeju Island – renowned for some of the best Satsuma mandarins in the world and where growers have got production down to a fine art.

“Ms Lee explicitly stated that even though Australian mandarins are not exported to Korea, their reputation for being sweeter and tastier precedes them.”

Source: Citrus Australia