Mandarin orange farmers are suffering these days due to price drops and shipment delays. As other varieties, like the Hallabong and redhyang, are being prepared for the market, people are growing more concerned that these crossbred citrus may negatively affect the whole fruit industry. Joseph Kim explains.
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Outdoor-grown mandarin prices remain low

Kim Ik-joong, a farmer who grows Hallabong, is waiting for harvest. But he is not happy that the low prices of mandarin oranges and what impact it might have on the Hallabong market. Moreover, delayed shipments of mandarin oranges have created a backlog, forcing Hallabong shipments to be delayed as well.

Even worse, it is hard to expect reasonable prices for mandarin oranges, because underripe citrus hybrids are being shipped for the Lunar New Year’s Day.

Interview
Kim Ik-joong / Hallabong farmer
When we are ready to sell mandarin oranges and Hallabong at the same time, it creates competition. We need to sell all the mandarins first so that citrus hybrids are more attractive to buyers.
<인터뷰 : 김익중/한라봉 재배 농가>
"온주하고 만감류를 같이 출하하다 보면
가격경쟁에 밀려요. 온주 밀감을 빨리 처리해야
만감류 가격도 좋고 순조롭게 출하되지 않을까 생각해요.."

The price for Redhyang at the wholesale market is 18,800 won, which is 4,000 won lower than 2015,

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Prices drop for citrus hybrids

additionally, the price of Hallabong is around 11,000 won per 3 kilo.

The drop in the price of citrus hybrids is likely due to the lower price and availability of outdoor-grown mandarins.

Interview
Kim Jeong-bae / Auctioneer, Nonghyup Garak Agricultural Market
Low mandarin orange prices affect prices for crossbreeds. The situation is not good this year, and it seems unlikely to improve. It is expected that prices will stabilize around where they are.
<인터뷰 : 김정배/농협가락공판장 경매차장>
"귤 값이 안 좋으면 만감류도 안 좋고 귤 값이 좋으면 만감류도 시세가 좋을 텐데 올해는 상황이 좋지 않게 흘러가고 있어요. 그래서 더 좋아지지는//
**수퍼체인지**
않을 것 같아요. 큰 범주는 벗어나지 않고 그 내외(현재 가격)에서 형성되지 않을까 예상합니다."

[camera]
Kim Yong-min

It appears that the hybrids citrus varieties are ready for market.

[reporter]
Joseph Kim

But farmers are very concerned that the frequent rains and drop in prices of mandarin oranges will severely affect their bottom line.

Joseph Kim KCTV