After a process started in 2005, the Korean animal, plant and fisheries quarantine and inspection agency decided to admit Italian kiwi to the South Korean market. Minister of Agricultural and Forestry Policy, Mario Catania said: “The opening of South Korean borders to Italian kiwi is an important step forward for the Italian food export.” “It has been a long and complex process that let Italy enter in a market which is greatly expanding. This is the result of a coordinate and efficient action carried out by the Ministry of Agricultural and Forestry Policy together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our diplomatic missions. I’m sure this is just the first step towards the admission of other Italian food products in this important Asian market.”
According to the latest available data, Italian production of kiwi can increase in the Korean market since the production of the Asian country supplies about 30% of the domestic demand. Moreover, Italian producers have been waiting for the authorization by the Korean authorities for the export of a range of fresh food products since 2009. Davide Vernocchi, president for fresh produce at Italian farming federation Fedagri-Confcooperative, agreed that the decision to lift South Korea’s ban on Italian kiwifruit would potentially be of enormous benefit. “It’s an important decision which, even taking into account the notable distance between Italy and South Korea, opens up big opportunities for one of our principal horticultural products,” he said.
eosud