South Africa’s cold chain capability has secured market access for table grape outflows to the Republic of Korea, with effect from the 2026-27 export season.
It comes after two decades of negotiations to meet South Korea’s phytosanitary control requirements.
It also marks the resilience of South Africa’s cold chain freight sector, often facing port-side delays requiring stringent temperature control measures.
According to Farmer’s Weekly, the South African Table Grape Industry (Sati) said: “The industry looks forward to shipping the first consignment during the 2026/27 season, once the remaining administrative and oversight processes have been finalised.
“This achievement marks a significant milestone for the industry and is the culmination of more than 20 years of constructive engagement and close collaboration between government and industry stakeholders,” Sati reportedly said.
It is understood that news about South Africa meeting South Korea’s export protocol was received on January 23.
Sati chief executive Mecia Petersen has confirmed the significance of the development for growers and exporters.
Part of South Korea’s due diligence inspections included a field visit to South Africa in February last year, concluding local cold chain requirements.
“The next step in the process will be for growers, exporters, and packhouses to register with the DoA to obtain the necessary production unit and packhouse codes,” Farmer’s Weekly reports.
