(Jeju=Yonhap News) Reporter Jeon Ji-hye = Amid the forecast that this year's Jeju citrus production will reach the lowest level ever, the distribution of non-commercial citrus will be intensively inspected to stabilize prices.
Jeju Province announced on the 13th that it will conduct a special inspection in conjunction with local police and administrative officers from 10 to 17 at 384 wholesale markets outside Jeju and traditional markets within the province.
This year's expected citrus production is 395,700 tons, the lowest since records began, but the quality is expected to be good.
The province believes that the circulation of non-commercial citrus from the early stages of open-field citrus shipment will likely lead to a price drop, and has decided to strengthen inspections of non-commercial citrus to improve the image of citrus and stabilize prices.
Prior to the Chuseok holiday, the first guidance was conducted in our traditional market in conjunction with administrative officers and local police to eradicate the circulation and sale of non-commercial citrus, and 47 warnings were issued.
During the special inspection period, violators will be fined up to 10 million won under Article 31 of the "Ordinance on Citrus Production and Distribution" without warning, and repeat offenders will have their vendor registration revoked.
On-site inspections will also be conducted at wholesale markets on the mainland.
To prevent vendors from secretly sending non-commercial citrus to wholesale markets on the mainland at night, a cooperation system will be established with wholesale market officials, and vendors will be tracked and fined.
According to the 2025 Satsuma mandarin product quality standards notice, the size of Satsuma mandarin products ranges from 2S (49mm or more) to 2L (70mm or less) in diameter.
However, Satsuma mandarins with a diameter of less than 2S (45mm or more and less than 49mm) or more than 2L (70mm or more and 77mm or less) are also considered products if the sugar content measured by a light sensor (including a portable non-destructive sugar content meter) is 10 Brix or more.
In addition, Satsuma mandarins grown in soil cover materials (such as Tyvek) with a diameter of more than 70mm and 77mm or less can be shipped as products if the sugar content measured by a light sensor (excluding a portable non-destructive sugar content meter) is 10 Brix or more.
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