Australian grape volumes exported to South Korea expected to increase

In South Korea, regulations are simplified for the import of Australian grapes. This easing should allow Australia, South Korea's third largest table grape supplier, to further increase its volumes.

 

As part of a review of the table grape protocol, APQA, the Korea Plant and Animal Quarantine Agency, in February removed the requirement for pre-clearance inspections and replaced them with on-site checks. Testing took place in South Korea and the approximately 3,000 tonnes (175 lots) of Australian table grapes exported this season achieved high compliance rates.

 

On-site verifications therefore replace the obligation of inspection prior to customs clearance. This cuts costs and provides greater flexibility for Australian grape growers. The volume of exports to South Korea is expected to increase further.

 

Australian table grape exports to Korea increased from AUD 520,800 (USD 393,855) in 2017 to AUD 43.8 million (USD 33.1 million) in 2020. Over the period 2015-19, South Korea imported table grapes worth USD 174 million. Australia was Korea's 3rd largest table grape supplier after Chile and the United States.