Mandarins grown in greenhouses, otherwise known as “house mandarins”, are a staple for Chuseok ancestral rites and gifts.
Jeju’s house mandarins are especially in high demand, as the quality of this year’s mandarins is very good. This, along with unmatched competition on the mainland due to a bad harvest caused by consecutive typhoons over the summer, is creating a highly favorable market for Jeju’s farmers.
Joseph Kim reports.





This is a mandarin greenhouse in Seogwipo.
The branches bear clusters of yellow mandarins.
As the Chuseok holiday is approaching, farmers are busily picking the fruit.
Mandarin growers have great expectations for the fruit as the harvest this year is particularly good.


The sugar content of a freshly picked citrus is 11 degree brix.
It exceeds the shipping standard of 10 degrees brix for indoor-grown mandarins.

Prices are set between 5,000 and 5,500 won per kilogram. That's 1,000 won higher compared to last year.



A bad harvest in the mainland due to this year's consecutive typhoons has contracted the overall fruit market, but that makes Jeju citrus more competitive.
Each branch of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation is not meeting the demand.
Meanwhile, fruit being sold below quality standards has thrown a wet blanket on the citrus market.


Some irresponsible farmers attempted to ship below-quality fruit to benefit from the highly set mandarin prices.


The farmers’ voluntary quality controls are most essential right now along with a crackdown by authorities on the unlawful practices.


Mandarin growers are lively as the citrus market is favorable for the Chuseok rush.

Joseph Kim, KCTV