Imported fruits such as American oranges are expected to be imported into Korea in large quantities in March. This is due to favorable local crop conditions and policy benefits such as the application of our government’s quota tariff. The spring domestic fruit and vegetable market is expected to be clouded over. Recently, distributors handling imported fruits at Garak Market in Seoul have become much busier. This is because many retailers are turning their attention to imported oranges as the prices of tangerines and citrus fruits are rising due to heavy snowfall and cold spells in Korea. Ahn Yong-deok, director of Dongwha Fruit and Vegetables, said, “As the prices of domestic citrus fruits are rising due to the sudden heavy snowfall and severe cold spell, imported oranges are on the rise,” and “In particular, since the crop conditions in California, the main producing region, are expected to be good, high-quality products with high hardness and sugar content are expected to be exported to Korea in large quantities.” Large distributors are also planning their own discount sales and preparing to handle imported fruits. Industry insiders predict that a discount event selling American oranges for 800 won per orange will soon sweep large marts. A Lotte Mart official said, “As demand for imported oranges is expected to increase, we plan to increase the amount of overseas direct purchases this year compared to last year.” An E-Mart official said, “This year, we plan to expand sales of American tangerines (mandarins) and ‘Cara Cara’ oranges in particular from March to April.” A Homeplus official also said, “Through annual contracts with foreign producers, we are selling bananas for 1,990 won per bunch, and we plan to actively secure overseas wholesale volumes of mangoes, cherries, and blueberries and supply them to domestic stores.” Government policies also seem to be paving the way for imported fruits. In its ‘2025 Economic Policy Direction’ announcement released in early January, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance announced that it would apply additional quota tariffs to 10 types of imported fruits, including oranges, bananas, pineapples, and mangoes. Seoul City Fruit and Vegetable Director Pyo Hyo-chan said, “The government applied a quota tariff on 10,000 tons of oranges until the end of February, lowering the tariff from 50% to 20%, which has significantly increased imports,” and added, “The U.S., where the crop is very good, can consider this situation and ‘push’ exports to Korea.” The Korea Rural Economic Institute said in January that it would ‘push’ exports to Korea.
