Why South Korea can’t import apples, fruit quarantine negotiations last for up to 20 years

Fresh Pear

Published Mar 8, 2024

Tridge summary

The South Korean government is struggling to stabilize the soaring prices of apples and pears, which have more than doubled from last year due to weather impacts. Importing these fruits is challenging due to ongoing quarantine negotiations with 11 countries, including Japan. The government is investing KRW 43.4 billion to support the affected industry, including KRW 20.4 billion in delivery price reduction and KRW 23 billion in discount support, which is expected to reduce prices by over 10%. Additionally, measures to reform the distribution structure through the online wholesale market for agricultural products will be announced.

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Original content

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryeong and Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-hyeong are visiting the Yangjae branch of Hanaro Mart in Seocho-gu, Seoul to check the supply and demand situation of Lunar New Year supplies. 2024.1.31/News1 ⓒ News1 The prices of apples and pears have more than doubled from last year, but the government has stated that it is difficult to stabilize prices through imports. He expressed concern that if the quarantine negotiation process is skipped, the entire orchard industry may be destroyed. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on the 7th, consumer prices for apples and pears rose 71.0% and 61.1% in February, respectively. As of late last month, the retail price of apples was 2. It was 19,295 won and 41,262 won for pears, up 27.3% and 41.8% from the previous year, respectively. As the prices of fruit soared, some people called for stabilizing prices through imports of apples. However, the ...

Source: Donga