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21 February 2011
South Korea accepting New Zealand potato exports for first time
New Zealand commercial potato growers can now export fresh potatoes to South Korea, a market potentially worth $NZ10 million a year.
After 16 years of negotiations seeking market access, the last remaining hurdle was crossed yesterday, with South Korea finalising its import requirements for fresh potatoes from New Zealand.
New Zealand growers will be able to export fresh potatoes from as early as next year.
Potato grower and Chair of Potatoes New Zealand, Terry Olsen, describes the development as “hugely exciting”, and says that he expects growers will immediately look to capitalise on the new export market.
Mr Olson said that South Korean commercial chippers have been making enquiries for many years about importing New Zealand potatoes, but access to the South Korean market had been denied until now.
South Korea currently imports approximately 16,000 tonnes of fresh potatoes annually, and demand will continue to grow as its population increases and more Western tastes for products such as crisps develop, according to Potatoes New Zealand predictions.
For more information about the changes contact business manager Ron Gall or export market development coordinator Shaun Slattery.
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