Filipinos looking for a new addition to their fruit basket can now get a taste of Korea, as premium Korean grapes officially enter the Philippine market following nearly two decades of quarantine negotiations.

The Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) marked the milestone with the Korean Premium Grape Launching Show on September 29 at Solaire Resort Entertainment City in Parañaque, bringing together Korean producers and exporters, Philippine distributors and buyers, foodservice representatives, and influencers.

While enjoying a bunch of grapes may be simple, bringing them from Korean farms to Philippine shelves was anything but.

In an exclusive interview with Global Daily Mirror, Kim Kyoung-cheol, Director of aT’s ASEAN Regional Headquarters, explained that the approximately 18-year negotiation period involved numerous procedures and steps between the two countries.

Part of the discussions involved a reciprocal arrangement in which Korea would export grapes to the Philippines while the Philippines would work toward exporting calamansi to Korea. While negotiations for Korean grapes were successfully concluded in November 2025, Kim noted that Philippine calamansi still has a “long way to go” on the Korean quarantine side.

“Today marks an important milestone as Korean grapes officially enter the Philippine market,” Kim said during the launch. “Following many years of efforts to complete the quarantine negotiations, we hope Korean grapes will become a new premium fruit choice for Filipino consumers.”

With exports beginning this year, Filipino consumers are being introduced to several varieties, each offering a different flavor and texture.

Among them is Shine Muscat, a seedless grape known for its high sweetness, crisp bite and muscat aroma. Its skin is edible, while its firm flesh and storage quality make it suitable for export. Kyoho, meanwhile, features large berries with soft flesh, plenty of juice and a rich sweetness.

Also making their way to the market are Coco Ball, a newly developed variety distinguished by its round appearance, crisp texture, sweetness and juiciness, and Glory Star, a vivid red grape with large berries, high sugar content and a crisp, refreshing texture.

Beyond introducing the fruit, aT is looking at building a market for Korean grapes through tastings, consumer promotions and stronger partnerships with local distributors and buyers.

Kim told Global Daily Mirror that, on a personal level, he hopes sales could reach $1 million in the first year, while emphasizing that the figure is his own aspiration and not an official aT target.

Expansion is also not limited to Metro Manila and Luzon. Kim confirmed that potential local importers from Cebu and nearby regions are being tapped, potentially making the grapes more accessible beyond the capital.