SEOUL: Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia was the largest buyer of tangerines grown on South Korea’s Jeju Island in 2024, accounting for over half of total exports, said the Korea Citrus Export Corporation (KCEC) on Sunday (May 18).
Of the 3,347 tonnes of home-grown citrus fruits exported in 2024 by 46 farms and export companies registered with the KCEC, 1,775 tonnes, or 53 per cent, were shipped to Russia, according to data from the agency.
After Russia, the largest buyers were Canada with 558 tonnes and the United States with 324 tonnes. Singapore came next with 150 tonnes, followed by Hong Kong (149 tonnes), Malaysia (143 tonnes), Taiwan (78 tonnes), Mongolia (66 tonnes), New Zealand (52 tonnes), Guam (38 tonnes) and the Philippines (6 tonnes).
Established in 2021 as a non-profit organisation, the KCEC aims to promote Jeju tangerine exports by improving product quality and expanding overseas marketing. The organisation currently consists of 18 agricultural cooperatives, five farming corporations and 23 export companies.
Even as the war in Ukraine continues, Russia has remained a dominant buyer of the island’s citrus fruits, importing more than half of the total exports for three straight years, including 1,977 tonnes in 2023, and 1,484 tonnes in 2022.
A sharp decline in citrus imports from China has fuelled growing demand for Jeju’s signature fruit in Russia.
In 2019, Russia imposed a full ban on Chinese tangerines after quarantine inspections detected fruit flies and other pests, opening the door for Jeju tangerines to enter the market, officials said.
Russia’s imports of Jeju tangerines peaked at 5,466 tonnes in 2021, data showed.
“Russia’s imports have more than doubled compared with in 2019, when just 687 metric tonnes were shipped,” a KCEC official said.
“Because Russia is close to the island, tangerines can be delivered more quickly, helping keep them fresh and flavourful.
“That’s a major reason why Russian buyers have preferred them over Chinese tangerines in recent years. We plan to ramp up marketing efforts in the country to further boost demand.” The Korea Herald/ANN
