AUSTRALIAN citrus continues to open up new doors on the global stage with South Korea now confirming it will take blood oranges.
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Australia currently exports Valencia and Navel oranges to South Korea.
The country's acceptance is a win for growers of the niche variety, which boasts an intensely-coloured red flesh.
Citrus Australia market access manager David Daniels said it was great to see some of the smaller citrus commodities being progressed for export alongside the big ticket items.
Citrus Australia and research and development corporation Horticulture Innovation Australia (HIA) welcomed South Korea’s decision to accept Australian imports of blood oranges.
One of the most prominent blood orange growers in the country is Riverina grower Vito Mancini.
His Redbelly Citrus brand is the result of a strategic decision several years ago to redevelop his orchard and focus on growing blood oranges.
Mr Mancini said with his orchard now entering into full production and South Korea tariff rates declining rapidly, the timing could not be better.
“With the significantly lower tariff (an outcome of the Korea Australia Free Trade Agreement) we have had strong enquiries about our blood oranges this year,” he said.
“While we knew this announcement was on the horizon, we were not able to firm up orders; but our fruit has not yet reached full maturity so the timing is perfect.
“It is clear to us that the Korean market places a high value on Australia’s reputation as a safe and reliable supplier, and this is a great opportunity to supply the South Korean market with something that is a little different.”
HIA chief executive officer John Lloyd said the corporation had supported Citrus Australia throughout the process of securing the policy extension.
“This South Korean policy expansion is the result of the citrus industry working together with Hort Innovation and key government agencies to achieve tangible market access results,” he said.
A series of trials – funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the citrus R&D levy matched by the Australian Government and conducted by the South Australian Research and Development Institute– are currently underway to support expanded access for a number of citrus varieties to Japan.
