South Korea Extends 5% Preference Tariff for Taiwan Mangoes Until Aug 15

With Tainan expecting a mango bumper crop of 30% above average this year, a critical trade hurdle has been cleared. Legislator Chen Ting-fei announced on June 18 that the South Korean government has agreed to extend its 'quota tariff' reduction for Taiwanese mangoes—lowering the rate from 30% to 5%—until August 15, 2026. The previous deadline was set for June 30.

Since Tainan mangoes reach their peak harvest in July, the original June 30 expiry threatened to hit exports just as volume increased, making them 25% more expensive overnight. Chen’s lobbying efforts with South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) aimed to protect this vital export window.

Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che, who led trade delegations to South Korea in April and June, also advocated for the extension. Huang noted that while South Korea produces small quantities of mangoes on Jeju Island, their season typically begins in August. By ending the tariff preference in mid-August, Taiwan can maximize its exports without directly impacting South Korea's domestic production. This decision is expected to provide a 'shot in the arm' for Taiwanese mango exports this summer.