The Department of Agriculture on Tuesday announced finally having gained access to the South Korean avocado market after four years.According to the DA, the maiden shipment of hass avocado expected before the end of the month of some 13 metric tons come from Bureau of Plant Industry-accredited facilities in Davao, Bukidnon and South Cotabato.
The bureau said South Korea initially approved the shipment in June but the authority came into effect only last Friday.
The bureau first expressed interest in exporting fresh Hass avocado to South Korea at the request of Dole Philippines in 2009.
Then in 2012, South Korea’s Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) conducted an import risk analysis which demanded extensive information on pest lists, cultivation areas, production volumes and post-harvest management of the fruit in the Philippines.
In February last year, APQA conducted an on-site visit to validate the country’s implementation of phytosanitary measures in Hass avocado production areas and packing houses to address quarantine issues.
The team of experts consisting of local and international personnel inspected hass avocado production areas and packing houses in Cagayan de Oro and South Cotabato which passed the phytosanitary criteria for export to South Korea.Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show avocado production totaling 20,076.47 MT in 2022, up 1 percent from 2021’s 19,874.96 MT.
