South Korea approves potato imports from New Zealand

New Zealand potato growers have gained access to export potatoes to South Korea, after years of negotiations. 

Potatoes New Zealand chair Terry Olsen says the industry has been working for 16 years to gain access to the Asian market. 

He says the last remaining hurdle was crossed this week when South Korea finalised its import requirements for fresh potatoes from New Zealand. 

Mr Olsen says South Korea has been one of the industry's biggest export targets, importing 16,000 tonnes of fresh potatoes a year from the US and Australia, mostly for crisps. 

He says the market is valued at $10 million dollars and it is now up to New Zealand growers to work together cohesively to try to extract some of that value.