From Next Year, 'Tomato Hornworm' Must Be Absent Two Months Before Export to Japan

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency announced on the 9th that from January 1, 2025, only tomatoes produced in accordance with the "Export Quarantine Guidelines for Fresh Korean Tomatoes to Japan" notification can be exported to Japan.

This is the result of close consultations between the Quarantine Agency and Japanese quarantine authorities to prevent the suspension of exports of domestic tomatoes to Japan due to the tomato pinworm. After agreeing on risk management measures in June, the export notification was established based on this, and both countries finally agreed to apply the risk management measures from January 1, 2025.

Accordingly, fresh domestic tomatoes and seedlings exported to Japan must first register their cultivation facilities and packing houses with the Quarantine Agency, and mesh with a diameter of 1.6 mm or less must be installed on open parts such as windows and ventilation openings within the cultivation facilities.

Tomatoes are displayed on the sales counter at Hanaro Mart Yangjae Branch in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

In addition, from two months before harvest, the tomato pinworm-free status of the cultivation facilities or nurseries must be confirmed through trap inspections conducted by the Quarantine Agency, and finally, after passing the export quarantine, an export quarantine certificate stating that the tomatoes are free from tomato pinworm infection must be issued for export to Japan to be possible.

So far, the Quarantine Agency has been steadily preparing to ensure the smooth implementation of the export notification requirements by cooperating with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, related organizations, and local governments through mesh installation, pest control support, and farmer education. Going forward, it plans to conduct meticulous management and thorough surveillance of exporting farms to expand exports of domestic tomatoes to Japan.

Kim Jeong-hee, head of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, said, "From next year, only tomatoes free from tomato pinworm can be exported to Japan, and the Quarantine Agency will do its best to support this," adding, "We hope that exporting farms will continue to make efforts to control the tomato pinworm."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.