Korea Implements Policy to Control Safety of Korean Grape Exports to Taiwan

Sejong, 14 August 2024 — The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) enforced the Pre-registration Policy for Grape Exports to Taiwan (hereafter cited as the pre-registration policy) on 23 May, which requires gape farmers and exporters to meet a series of safety requirements. The purpose of the policy is to pre-emptively respond to the Taiwanese government’s move to strengthen safety inspection on imported fresh fruits going through customs clearance, as well as to keep the exports of Korean grapes on a growth trajectory. 

* USD 10.7 million to Taiwan (23.9%), USD 9.0 million to Hong Kong (20.2%), and USD 7.7 million to Vietnam (17.1%)

* USD 0.5 million in 2021, USD 2.2 million in 2022 and USD 10.7 million in 2023 (up by 393% from a year earlier)

Under the pre-registration policy, grape farmers and exporters are given identification numbers (ID) and the safety of their grapes is systematically managed throughout the entire process from production to export stages.  

Specifically, grape farmers and exporters who intend to export grapes to Taiwan are required to complete the Rural Development Administration’s mandatory education on safe use of agricultural chemicals (stage 1); apply for ID registration to Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. and then receive an ID (stage 2); submit the analysis results for residual levels of agricultural chemicals in grapes to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (stage 3); and receive a phytosanitary certificate (stage 4).   

Director-General YANG Joo-pil of the MAFRA’s Food Industry Policy Bureau said: “The Pre-registration Policy for Grape Exports to Taiwan is expected to increase the export competitiveness of Korean-grown grapes. We will carry out promotional activities about the safety and quality of Korean grapes, and this way, continue expanding their exports.”