South Korea's Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency has decided to allow Australian blood oranges into the market, adding to a protocol that already includes Navel and Valencia oranges.

Industry groups Citrus Australia and Horticulture Innovation Australia have welcomed the move, which was prompted by requests for the variety given the lower tariffs in place in the wake of a free trade agreement between the two countries.

In a release, Citrus Australia market access manager David Daniels said it was just as important to see market access wins for smaller niche varieties of citrus as it was for larger commodities.

"It is great to see that some of our smaller citrus commodities are being progressed for export alongside our big ticket items," Daniels said.

The announcement has come at an opportune time for Riverina grower Vito Mancini ofRedbelly Citrus, who made a strategic decision several years ago to redevelop his orchard and focus on growing blood oranges.

Mancini said the timing could not be better, with his orchard now entering into full production and South Korea's tariff rates declining rapidly.

"With the significantly lower tariff (an outcome of the Korea Australia Free Trade Agreement) we have had strong enquiries about our blood oranges this year," he said in the release.

"While we knew this announcement was on the horizon, we were not able to firm up orders; but our fruit has not yet reached full maturity so the timing is perfect.

"It is clear to us that the Korean market places a high value on Australia’s reputation as a safe and reliable supplier, and this is a great opportunity to supply the South Korean market with something that is a little different."

Hort Innovation chief executive officer John Lloyd said the Corporation has supported Citrus Australia throughout the process of securing the policy extension, and the key to continued trade success is all stakeholders working collaboratively.

“This South Korean policy expansion is the result of the citrus industry working together with Hort Innovation and key government agencies to achieve tangible market access results,” he said.

A series of trials – funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the citrus R&D levy matched by the Australian Government and conducted by the South Australian Research and Development Institute – are currently underway to support expanded access for a number of citrus varieties to Japan.

Photo: HIA

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