Starting this year, American mandarins imported into Korea are subject to zero tariffs, leading to a surge in import volumes. In response, Jeju farmers' organizations are calling on the government and Jeju Province to take action.

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According to Jeju Province on January 5, following the implementation of the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 2012, the import tariff rate on American mandarins was scheduled to be reduced gradually by 9.6% each year from the then-144%. As of this year, the import tariff has been eliminated.

As the tariff rate on American mandarins has been reduced, prices have decreased and the volume of imports has gradually increased every year.

The import volumes of American mandarins were 0.1 tons in 2017, 8.3 tons in 2018, 152.1 tons in 2019, 511.8 tons in 2020, and 728.5 tons in 2021.

Afterwards, with the tariff rate lowered to below 20%, 3,099.3 tons were imported in 2024, and 7,619 tons were imported last year when the tariff rate was 9.5%.

In the case of this year, when tariffs are waived, it is known that the target import volume of American mandarins is 16,000 tons.

American mandarins are mainly sold domestically from January to June, and are expected to impact the market prices of Jeju's citrus varieties that are distributed during the same period. Among Jeju's citrus varieties, Hallabong and Redhyang are shipped from January to May, while Cara Hyang is shipped in mid-April. Some greenhouse-grown tangerines begin shipping in May.

Farmers harvesting tangerines in a field in Dopyeong-dong, Jeju City. Photo by Yonhap News

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Local farmers' organizations such as the Jeju Citrus Association, Jeju Agricultural Organizations Council, National Farmers Federation Jeju League, Seogwipo Farmers Association, Korea Advanced Farmers Management Association Jeju Chapter, and Jeju Green Party recently issued a joint statement declaring that "the Jeju tangerine industry stands at a critical crossroads," urging swift action from the government and Jeju Province. They proposed that comprehensive countermeasures should be developed through research on the current status of imported citrus and response strategies, including diversification of shipping periods, quality improvement, development of consumer demand-based varieties, and strategies to enhance brand recognition.

In response, Jeju Province plans to strengthen promotional activities to coincide with the shipping season of Jeju citrus varieties and to expand dedicated Jeju tangerine sections on online distribution platforms. The province will also focus on promotional campaigns linked to the Hometown Love Donation Program and target the premium gift market for the Lunar New Year holiday. Efforts will be made to improve direct delivery from production sites and enhance the fresh delivery system to boost quality competitiveness. In addition, a public-private joint supply and demand management council will be operated to continuously monitor shipping and distribution trends, and the provincial government will continue to request the central government and National Assembly to extend the FTA damage compensation direct payment program.