Korean strawberries, a leading export item for domestic farmers, have successfully opened a new export route to Brazil. This marks the first instance of Korean strawberries entering the Latin American market, raising expectations for future export growth.

Eight Years of Effort Bear Fruit

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) announced on the 26th of last month that it had finalized quarantine negotiations with Brazil regarding strawberry exports. The negotiations, which began in 2017, have finally come to fruition after approximately eight years.

Maintaining Freshness Through Air Transportation

Given Brazil's location on the opposite side of the globe, strawberries will be transported by air. Minimizing transportation time is crucial to maintaining the strawberries' freshness.

Korean Strawberries: A Key Export Item

Strawberries are among the top 10 export items for fresh agricultural products in Korea. Last year, exports to Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and other countries amounted to approximately $67.526 million. In particular, the 'Seolhyang' and 'Jukhyang' varieties, developed domestically, are popular overseas for their excellent taste and quality.

Rigorous Quarantine Management

Farmers intending to export strawberries to Brazil must register their cultivation greenhouses and sorting facilities with the APQA and undergo quarantine inspections for pest and disease outbreaks. The APQA plans to establish quarantine guidelines that meet Brazil's export requirements within the first half of the year to support exports.

A Bridgehead for Entry into the Latin American Market

An APQA official stated, "The conclusion of negotiations with Brazil is the first case among Latin American countries. We expect it to serve as a bridgehead for entering the Latin American market, which has a potential of 600 million people."