S. Korea to export paprika, grapes to China

SEOUL, Sept. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is expected to gain access to China's
paprika and grape market in the next few years, the government said Monday.

The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said that talks
between the National Plant Quarantine Service and its Chinese counterpart last
week made meaningful headway that could permit export of paprika after next year
and grapes in 2011.
In the talks held in Seoul, Chinese quarantine officials agreed to speed up their
pest risk assessment (PRA) after examining the rigorous quality and safety
control of local farms and processing facilities that handle the two products.
South Korea has been asking for market access for paprika, grapes, rice,
strawberries, sweet persimmons, tomatoes and tangerines since 2007 but had made
little progress due to Beijing's PRA rules.
The ministry in charge of the country's farm and fisheries policies said in
exchange for exporting paprika and grapes, Seoul will do its part to allow
Chinese lichi and squash to be imported in the 2010-2011 period.
In preparation for future exports, it said the government will provide market
information to produce growers and trading companies and carry out detailed
research that can help locally grown products to win over consumers.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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