Final non-regulated risk analysis report for table grapes from the Republic of Korea

1.9Harvesting and handling procedures

The timing of harvest is largely determined by status of the fruit with colour, gloss, size and sugar-acid ratio used as indicators. A lower sugar ratio may be used as the harvest index depending on the cultivar (Table 3.3).

Table 3.3 Sugar ratio and maturation period harvest index (NPQS 2011).

Cultivar	Sugar content (Brix)	Time taken to reach maturity after full bloom (days)
Campbell Early	14	75–80
Delaware	17	60–65
Kyoho	17	90–95
Muscat Bailey A	19	110–120

Fruit is harvested in the morning if the weather is sunny. Grape bunches are cut from the plant with pruning scissors and stored in a harvest box. Fruit is not packed too tightly to prevent berries from dropping or clusters becoming damaged, and is generally piled 2–3 levels high (Figure 3.19). Harvested fruit is stored under shade to keep it cool until it is transferred to the packing house (NPQS 2011).

Figure 3.19 Plastic harvest boxes (left) and fruit piling method (right) (NPQS 2011)

1.10Post-harvest

1.10.1Packing house

Pre-cooling and sorting

Fruit is pre-cooled following harvest. Using pre-cooling boxes, fruit temperatures are dropped from 30 °C to 4–5 °C by forced air cooling for 4–6 hours, or by static pressure air cooling for 1–2 hours (NPQS 2011).

Trained sorting experts supervise the sorting process (NPQS 2010b).
Any damaged, unripe, small or dehiscent berries or bunches are removed during sorting. Grapes are manually sorted by quality and the size of berries (Figure 3.20).

Figure 3.20 Grape sorting process in packing house (left and right), sorting by quality and size of berries and removing unsuitable fruits (NPQS 2011)


Packing and storage
Packing is carried out to minimise damage to fruit while being convenient for transport and sale. Grapes are packaged in corrugated cardboard boxes holding 4–10 kg (Figure 3.21) (NPQS 2011). These boxes are designed to prevent pest entrance and those with vent holes are covered with vinyl after packing to prevent pest entrance (NPQS 2010b). Grapes are placed in cold storage prior to export at 0 C to -5 °C ± 0.5 °C and 80–90% humidity (NPQS 2011).

Figure 3.21 Grape packing for export (left). Packaging consists of corrugated cardboard box with paper inner packaging (right) (NPQS 2011)

Figure 3.22 summarises the post-harvest packing house, storage and distribution steps for Korean table grapes produced for export.

Figure 3.22 Summary of vineyard and post-harvest packing house, storage and distribution steps for table grapes grown in Korea for export (NPQS 2011)

1.10.2Export procedures

Upon receipt of application for an export inspection, a plant quarantine inspector will visit the site where the consignment is located. The inspector samples 600 units of the total consignment, or 450 units if the consignment is less than 1000 units, and inspect for pests with a magnifying glass (Figure 3.23) in accordance with the official export inspection procedures of Korea (NPQS 2010b; NPQS 2011). If any pests are detected during this process then remedial action will be taken. This may vary depending on the pest and may include treatment, shipment to an alternative market or suspension of the vineyard from the export program for an appropriate period (NPQS 2010b; NPQS 2011). If no pests are detected, the consignment will be issued with a phytosanitary certificate.





Figure 3.23 Plant quarantine inspectors undertaking visual inspections for pests on grapes (NPQS 2011)

1.10.3Transport

Grapes will be transported to Australia using air and sea freight.

1.11Export capability

1.11.1Production statistics

Exports account for approximately 0.1% of total grape production in Korea. Each year there is a gradual increase in the number of countries importing Korean grapes and an increase in export volume. Exports increased from 68 tonnes in 2004 to 340 tonnes in 2008 (Table 3.4). Figure 3.24 displays production ratios in Korea by region (NPQS 2011).

Table 3.4 Production statistics for grapes in Korea detailing changes in growing area (ha) and production and export volumes (t) from 2004 to 2008 (NPQS 2011).

Variable	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Growing area (ha)	22 909	22 057	19 248	19 000	18 000
Production volume (t)	367 894	381 436	330 049	329 000	334 000
Export volume (t)	68	176	180	226	340

Figure 3.24 Map of the Republic of Korea showing the ratio (%) of grape production by region. Chungch’ong region produces 9%, Kyonggi-do region produces 15%, Ch’ungch’ong bukto region produces 16% and the Kyongsang-bukto region produces 44% (NPQS 2011)

1.11.2 Export statistics

Korea currently exports grapes to the USA (including Guam and Saipan), Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore. Major export markets and volumes are summarised in Table 3.5. The USA is the largest export market with approximately 310 tonnes of grapes exported in 2009.
At present, the volume of table grapes likely to be exported to Australia from Korea cannot be accurately forecast, but preliminary advice from NPQS suggest it is likely to be around 50 tonnes per year (NPQS 2011).

Table 3.5 Main export markets for table grapes from Korea (NPQS 2011).

Country	2002		2004		2006		2008		2009
	Amount (US$ ,000)	Volume (t)	Amount (US$ ,000)	Volume (t)	Amount (US$ ,000)	Volume (t)	Amount (US$ ,000)	Volume (t)	Amount (US$ ,000)	Volume (t)
USA	6	3	0	0	496	121	867	228	1 020	310
Singapore	-	-	21	8	103	27	248	67	374	85
Hong Kong	7	2	68	23	156	38	110	34	245	89
Malaysia	21	11	36	15	47	13	64	17	132	38
Indonesia	38	18	55	20	107	33	123	44	131	37
Total	233	79	211	74	954	243	1 588	430	1 991	590

1.11.3Export season

Table grapes for export from Korea are usually harvested and exported between August and October each year. Specific timing is dependent upon the cultivar and growing area (NPQS 2011).