Business · Energy & Commodities · 2 hrs ago
Repeated rain causes rot in Jeju mandarins
Repeated rain and high humidity are causing mandarins to rot on South Korea’s Jeju Island, both on trees and after harvest.
Nine straight days of rain in Seogwipo delayed the early harvest of a variety that ripens before regular mandarins.
At one distribution stage, some batches had about 30% rot within two days, while a further 4% to 5% spoiled during transport to other areas.
The local agricultural technology centre urged farmers to apply approved treatments after the rain, while following pesticide safety rules.
It also advised drying harvested fruit in a shaded, well-ventilated place for two to three days and removing rotten fruit before shipment.
Careful treatment and sorting can limit further losses as the early mandarin harvest continues.
Frequent rain and high humidity in Jeju are causing mandarins to rot before harvest and during distribution.
In Seogwipo, nine consecutive days of rain from October 18 to 26 delayed the harvest of early-ripening mandarins.
Some early mandarins reportedly had about 30% rot after two days at a distribution center.
The Jeju Agricultural Research and Extension Services urged farmers to apply registered treatments at the right time and handle harvested fruit carefully.
- Who
- Jeju mandarin farmers and the Seogwipo Agricultural Technology Center.
- What
- Rain-related rot is damaging mandarins before harvest and during distribution.
- When
- After nine consecutive days of rain from October 18 to 26; the advisory was issued on October 27.
- Where
- Seogwipo, Jeju, South Korea.
- Why
- Frequent rain and high humidity are contributing to fruit rot.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Seogwipo had nine consecutive days of rain, delaying the harvest of early-ripening mandarins.
The Seogwipo Agricultural Technology Center urged farmers to use registered rot-control treatments at the right time and follow careful post-harvest practices.
- Rainfall period
- Nine consecutive days, October 18–26
- Affected fruit
- Early-ripening field-grown mandarins
- Rot at distribution center
- About 30% of some fruit was rotten after two days
- Additional rot
- 4–5% during distribution to other regions
- Recommended drying
- 2–3 days in a shaded, well-ventilated place