The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said Hass avocados from the Philippines are now available in South Korea, reflecting the increasing trade between the two countries.

The fresh Philippine avocados were introduced during a launch at the Homeplus, Gangseo branch last Oct. 19, which was hailed by Philippine Ambassador to Korea Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega as a “symbol of the strong trade relationship” between the Philippines and Korea in agricultural exports.

Homeplus is one of the largest retail hypermarket chain stores in South Korea, with around 140 branches all over the country.

The event was organized by Dole Korea, led by its chief executive officer Jack Kim, in cooperation with Agriculture Attaché Maria Alilia Maghirang of the Philippine Agriculture Office in Seoul.

The first batch of fresh Hass avocados to South Korea valued at USD48,433 was ferried from Davao City last Sept. 30.

The Philippines, through the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI), officially expressed its intent to export fresh Hass avocado to Korea in September 2009 following a request from Dole Philippines.

South Korea’s Department of Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) and DA-BPI reached an agreement to export the products on June 19, 2023, which came into effect on Sept. 8, 2023.

“Consumers in South Korea can look forward to more shipments of the Philippine Hass avocados in the future,” the DFA said.

“The arrival of fresh Philippine Hass avocados to the Republic of Korea is a testament of our active bilateral relations, especially in trade and agricultural development,” it added.

The fresh Hass avocado exports from the Philippines are sourced from the orchards and packing houses of Dole Philippines in Davao, Bukidnon and South Cotabato. (PNA)