Domestic Shine Muscat has entered the Australian market following the United States and Taiwan.
The Korea Forest Service announced on the 28th that, after consultations with Australian quarantine authorities, it was agreed that starting this month, the export quarantine requirements for Shine Muscat from our country will be the same as those for the existing Campbell Early and Geobong varieties.
Until now, our country has exported Campbell Early and Geobong grapes to Australia, but it has been virtually impossible to export Shine Muscat due to difficult fumigation quarantine conditions required by Australia. Accordingly, domestic grape farmers and the export industry have continuously demanded the relaxation of export regulations, and the quarantine authority has been conducting export negotiations with Australia since last year.
With this agreement, Shine Muscat can now be exported to Australia if it undergoes the same procedures as Campbell Early and Geobong varieties, such as registration as an export complex, bagging, and low-temperature disinfection treatment.
Domestic Shine Muscat has primarily been exported to countries such as Taiwan and the United States. With Australia added as a new export country, the global market is expected to expand further.
According to the quarantine authority, the export volume of Korean grapes to Australia last year was only 16 tons, but it is expected that the volume will significantly increase as Shine Muscat exports become more active.
Kim Jeong-hee, head of the Korea Forest Service, noted, "The expansion of the Shine Muscat export market will contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of domestic grape farmers," and added, "We will actively support the entry of domestic fruits into overseas markets going forward."