South Korean market opens for NZ asparagus
New Zealand's asparagus sector now has a new export outlet after the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) announced South Korea had granted market access. 
Following an announcement made on Dec. 10, all asparagus shipments to the East Asian nation will need to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate, and be free of pest, soil and weed seeds.
A HortNZ spokesperson told www.freshfruitportal.com a 27% tariff on the crop would be reduced in equal steps to zero by Jan. 1, 2018.
Fresh Facts, a joint publication between HortNZ and Plant & Food Research, reports that in 2014 New Zealand produced 1,800 metric tons (MT) of asparagus and registered exports of NZ$2.3 million (US$1.54 million) for the crop.
Production mostly takes place on the North Island, in the areas of Waikato, Manawatu/Wanganui and Hawke's Bay.
UN Comtrade statistics show Japan was New Zealand's leading asparagus export market in 2014 with 158.5MT, representing 83% of overseas shipments, followed by Australia (6%), Singapore (5%), and China/Hong Kong (2%).
In the same year, South Korea imported 442MT of the vegetable with Peru accounting for almost half the supply, followed by Thailand (19%), Mexico (12%), Australia (8%) and the U.S. (6%).
From January to October in 2015, South Korea had already surpassed its 2014 asparagus import level at 473MT, representing a 44% year-on-year rise.
Photo: www.shutterstock.com
