Jeju to begin exporting tangerines to Britain

SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean island province of Jeju will begin
exporting tangerines to Britain for the first time this week after the fruit met
the European country's quality and quarantine requirements, the government said
Sunday.

The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said that a farm
export firm run by Jeju National University will launch the shipment of 20 tons
of tangerines on Tuesday. British fruit importer FESA will distribute the
products to large retail outlets in the country.
The ministry said the company has targeted Britain as an export destination,
having built special shipment pallets used in Europe and reviewed the country's
quarantine requirements.
"FESA has proposed that if the first shipment does well on the market it could
place future orders for the fruit for 900 won per kilogram," an official said.
The price is better than the 300-400 won (US$0.25-0.34) offered for the same
fruit in South Korea.
It added that if there are no complications in quality and taste, up to 15,000
tons of the fruit may be shipped to the European country on an annual basis,
which translates into profits of up to 30 billion won.
The university, meanwhile, said that it may set up a branch office in Britain in
the future as part of its effort to expand sales overseas.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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