The Agriculture Ministry says that South Korea’s decision to extend the 5-percent preferential tariffs for fruits like bananas, pineapples, and mangoes is mutually beneficial for South Korea and Taiwan. That came in the ministry’s statement on Friday, June 19.

The preferential tariff scheme was originally set to expire on June 30, but has now been extended to August 15. The Agriculture Ministry says it is now the peak production season for mangoes in Taiwan, and South Korea maintaining the 5-percent import tariff is a significant boost for Taiwanese farmers and businesses expanding into high-end overseas markets. The season for South Korea’s own mangoes grown on Jeju Island typically starts in August, so extending the lower tariffs will help meet demand in the South Korean market.

The Agriculture Ministry says it will continue to promote mango exports by gilding local farmers to improve quality, ensure safe pesticide use, refine quarantine handling techniques, and implement end-to-end cold-chain logistics. Earlier in June, Taiwanese mangoes met the European Union’s stringent new quarantine requirements and entered European markets.