Jeju Province Conducts Joint Crackdown on Non-Standard Mandarin Distribution at Wholesale Markets

Strengthening Measures to Curb Falling Mandarin Prices
235kg of Non-Standard Mandarins Detected at Seoul and Gwangju Wholesale Markets

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Government Building.

The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province announced that, in cooperation with the administrative cities and the autonomous police force, it conducted a joint inspection of non-standard mandarin distribution at the Garak Agricultural Wholesale Market in Seoul and the Gakhwa Agricultural Wholesale Market in Gwangju for two days starting from December 4. As a result, 3 cases totaling 235 kilograms of non-standard mandarins were discovered.

This inspection was carried out to manage the risk of price instability, as the price of mandarins at wholesale markets outside Jeju had been declining for several days, and the distribution of non-standard mandarins could contribute to further price volatility.

The main violations identified were: ▲ shipment of extra-small fruit with a diameter less than 45mm, and ▲ shipment of extra-large fruit with a diameter of 77mm or more.

These actions violated the "Ordinance on the Production and Distribution of Mandarins in Jeju Special Self-Governing Province" and the 2025 quality standards for onju mandarin products.

Alongside this inspection, Jeju Province also checked the supply volume and transaction trends at major wholesale markets outside Jeju, finding that overall mandarin quality remained at a satisfactory level.

However, as mandarin prices, which had remained high compared to the previous year, began to decline in recent days, the province emphasized that "quality control throughout both production and distribution stages is more important than ever to maintain price stability."

Previously, in the first and second rounds of joint inspections at wholesale markets outside Jeju, a total of 25 cases involving 5,230 kilograms were identified.

Of these, 11 cases (9.4 million won) have completed the penalty process, while 14 cases (4,065 kilograms) are currently undergoing penalty procedures.

Kim Hyungeun, Director of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food, stated, "Thorough quality control is essential for stabilizing mandarin prices," and urged, "Since the shipment of non-standard mandarins negatively affects both the overall price and reliability of mandarins, all producers, sorting centers, and distributors must pay closer attention to compliance with standards and selective shipment."

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