This year’s first outdoor-grown mandarin oranges are now being distributed to stores nationwide. This is the first time in years that a fixed date was set for distribution and sizing standards for the fruit were simplified earlier in the year. Here’s Mike Balfour to explain how these changes have affected the sector.


[slug]
Jocheon-eup, Jeju City

At a Jeju mandarin orange farm in Jocheon-eup, Jeju City, the fruit are fully ripened and ready to pick.

[slug]
Distribution period set for mandarins

Distribution began at the start of October. A fixed date was set for the first time in seven years since farmers were given autonomy over when to distribute their mandarins.

[INTERVIEW]
Yang Gi-bong / Grower, Jocheon-eup
(Last year) there were a lot of substandard mandarins. This year, we had good weather so farmers should be able to benefit from a better price.
<인터뷰:양기봉/조천읍 감귤농가>
"(지난해에는) 비상품 감귤이 많이 나왔습니다. 올해는 그나마 날씨가
괜찮아서 가격이 좋을 것이라고 기대하고 있습니다."

Mandarin farms that had already finished harvesting before the distribution date held their fruit until the agreed time.

The mandarin oranges are first sent to packing houses and within two days are distributed to markets on the mainland.

The sizing standards for mandarin oranges have been simplified to five categories… meaning certain mandarins that would have been classified as substandard prior to the change are now allowed for sale. The new size categories range from 2S to 2L and are labeled on the new packaging.

With the simplified sizing standards and this year’s mandarins being sweeter than last year’s, insiders expect a positive reaction from consumers.

[Interview]
Ahn Seong-hyeon / Jocheon Agricultural Cooperative Federation
We have made great efforts to eliminate substandard mandarins in the packing process. The climate has been good, and fruit quality is better this year, so we have high hopes.
<인터뷰:안성현/조천농업협동조합 과장>
"비상품 감귤 열매솎기나 선과를 잘했고 기후조건도 괜찮아서
예년에 비해서 품질도 좋고 당도도 높은 것으로 조사결과 나오고 있습니다. 그래서 기대를 하고 있습니다."

[SLUG]
Substandard mandarins still being sold

Despite agreeing on when to distribute this year’s outdoor-grown mandarins, some farms were found to have violated the rule. Substandard oranges have also been found to have entered the market.

A large number of substandard mandarins were found to have been secretly distributed to the mainland around Chuseok and some farmers sold their oranges before the agreed distribution date.

SYNC
Auctioneer
In Jeju, there were even crackdowns on violators of the new distribution agreement, but we all know these measures are ineffective.
<씽크:도외 경매시장 경매사(음성변조)>
"제주도에서는 올해는 약속 지켜서 강압적으로 단속도 많이 한다고 했는데 실질적으로 지켜지지 않은 것은 누구나 다 압니다. 관계자들은.."

[REPORTER]
Mike Balfour

Mandarin oranges are usually sold at a higher price at the start of distribution. It remains to be seen how officials will try to put an end to the unfair play that has been going on… and with the changes applied to this year’s distribution, how the market will react to this year’s outdoor-grown mandarin oranges.

Mike Balfour KCTV