For Koreans, tangerines that are peeled and eaten under the blanket in winter are a must. A bite of cold tangerines under a warm blanket—is there any snack that can beat this combination? However, there is another country that has fallen for the charm of tangerines.
That is Russia. Did you know that Korean tangerines are now greatly loved in Russia, a country that has the perfect combination of cold weather and warm fruits?
The most eaten fruit among Koreans is tangerines 🍊
In our country, the annual per capita consumption of tangerines is about 11.8kg. This means that the fruit that Koreans eat the most is ‘tangerines’. In the winter, it is common to see boxes of tangerines piled up in every house and eaten. LOL However, the taste of these tangerines is now spreading across the border to Russia.
The charm of Korean tangerines ‘caught’ in Russia
Russia originally imported tangerines mainly from China. However, this began to change in 2020. Despite being three times more expensive than Chinese tangerines, Korean tangerines began to gain popularity.
As a result, the amount of tangerine exports from Korea increased rapidly, and the amount exported to Russia in particular is enormous. Although exports temporarily decreased after the Russia-Ukrainian War, more than half (more than 1,700 tons) of the total tangerine exported each year is still exported to Russia.
Russia, the perfect country for peeling tangerines?
Russia is a country famous for its long and cold winters. That’s why it’s inevitable that they have a high preference for sweet citrus fruits rich in vitamin C. In addition, the thought of eating a slice of tangerine in a warm room instead of a blanket is a combination that goes well with the Russian winter. Korean tangerines are more than just fruits; they are a medium that conveys the warm emotions of Korea to Russian consumers.
In the future, export volumes may temporarily decrease due to war or logistics issues, but once you have captured your taste buds, you will not easily forget it. Korean tangerines and Hallabong are likely to establish themselves as ‘premium citrus fruits’ not only in Russia but also in many other countries.