Domestic persimmons captivate the taste buds of 1.4 billion Chinese... 'Export path' after 17 years of challenge

South Korean persimmons set to enter the Chinese market with a population of 1.4 billion.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 2nd that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on "Plant Quarantine Requirements for the Export of Korean Persimmons to China" was signed at the Korea-China Summit held in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province on the 1st. This is an achievement 17 years after requesting the export of domestic persimmons to China in 2008.

In the meantime, the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency has led the negotiations by preparing management plans for pests and diseases that China is concerned about, based on scientific evidence. As a result, the two countries have finally agreed on the quarantine requirements based on mutual trust, paving the way for exports.

According to this negotiation, in order to export domestic persimmons to China, requirements such as orchard and fruit sorting station registration, pest and disease inspection, and the addition of export plant quarantine certificate items must be met.

The Quarantine Agency plans to swiftly proceed with follow-up procedures, including establishing a basis for expanding exports by enacting related notices and thoroughly implementing education for farmers.

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryeong said, "The conclusion of this quarantine negotiation will be a new stepping stone for persimmon farmers seeking new export markets," and added, "In the future, we will continue to actively discover promising export items and conduct strategic quarantine negotiations to increase the export of our agricultural products."

Gil Pan-geun, Chairman of the Korea Persimmon Association, also expressed his welcome, saying, "It will help increase farmers' income."

Reporter Ji Yuri yuriji@nongmin.com