U.S. EXPANDS FRESH CHERRY TRADE TO KOREA

U.S. EXPANDS FRESH CHERRY TRADE TO KOREA    South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will allow more varieties of U.S.-grown fresh cherries to enter the country, starting May 12.
   The South Korean government said the cherries must be produced in areas certified free of Blumeriella jaapii, a cherry disease, and fumigated with methyl bromide prior to shipment.
   The United States has shipped Bing, Van and Lambert cherries to South Korea. The new rule will allow for the export of varieties, such as Rainier, Garnett, Brooks, Tulare, Sweethart and Lapin. The cherries are grown in California, Washington, Idaho, Washington and Oregon.
   “With the expansion of the Korean market, estimated trade value for U.S. cherry exports is $3 million,” said the U.S. Department of Agriculture.