South Korea increases imports of Vietnamese mangoes

Although Vietnamese mangoes imported to South Korea have increased both in volume and value the market share of the fruit in the country is still modest.

Vietnamese mangoes ranked third in terms of market share in South Korea. Photo: TL.

According to the Korea International Trade Association (Kita), South Korea imported 19,500 tons of mangoes in the first nine months of 2021 valued at US$79.4 million, up 32.2% in volume and up 47.3% in value compared with the same period last year.

The average price for imported mangoes was US$ 4,065.4 per ton, up 11.4% over the same period last year.

Thai Lan and Peru were the two major suppliers of mangoes to South Korea. In the first nine months of this year, the two countries accounted for 82.5% of South Korea's total mango imports. South Korea's mango imports from the two countries increased both in value and volume.

Vietnam is the third largest supplier of mangoes to South Korea. The country imported 1,220 tons of mangoes from Vietnam in the first nine months of 2021, valued at US$4.8 million, up 38.8% in volume and up 58.6% in value compared with the same period last year.

At present, Vietnamese mangoes accounts for only 6.3% of South Korea's total mango imports. With such a low proportion, South Korea still offers great opportunities for Vietnamese mangoes exporters.

Mango- one of Vietnam's main export products, is among six Vietnamese fruits allowed to enter South Korea.