TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Tainan City Government said Friday that South Korea has extended a reduced 5% tariff on Taiwan mangoes until Aug. 15, giving growers more time to export fruit during the peak harvest season.
The city government said the lower rate, which replaces South Korea’s normal 30% tariff, had been scheduled to end on June 30. The 5% tariff was extended under South Korea’s new tariff quota plan and also applies to bananas and pineapples from Taiwan.
Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) said he had visited South Korea three times since last year to promote Tainan mangoes. He said he also asked South Korean officials and business leaders to extend the tariff cut until the end of August.
Huang said South Korea’s decision to keep the lower rate until Aug. 15 was good news for Tainan farmers and South Korean consumers. He said the reduced tariff would help keep Taiwan mangoes competitive in the South Korean market.
Huang said South Korea produces only limited quantities of mangoes on Jeju Island, with its harvest season starting around August. He said the extension would support Taiwan mango exports without hurting South Korean farmers.
Huang thanked Legislator Chen Ting-fei (陳亭妃), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Agriculture for working with Tainan City Government to seek the extension. He said the result showed progress in agricultural and trade exchanges between Taiwan and South Korea.
Huang said Tainan mangoes have good yields and quality this year. He said the city will keep working with overseas offices to promote Tainan farm goods in Europe, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and other markets.
The mayor also encouraged people in Taiwan to buy more Tainan mangoes. He said the city will continue expanding both overseas and domestic sales channels for local farmers.
