Disguised edible garlic targeted in seed inspections in South Korea

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Korea Seed & Variety Service will intensify inspections in major garlic-producing areas ahead of the August-September seed garlic distribution and sowing season.

The agency said it increased imports of seed garlic to 670 tons year over year to meet domestic demand, while warning that imported edible garlic unsuitable for planting could be disguised and sold as seed garlic.

Inspections will focus on seed business registration, notifications covering variety production, import and sales, production and packaging dates, and import dates. The agency will also conduct continuous online monitoring and cooperate with the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service where illegal activity, including origin-labeling violations, is suspected.

The inspections are aimed at supporting the seed distribution system and verifying compliance with seed quality labeling requirements.

If an investigation finds that seeds were sold without seed business registration or without the required notifications for production, import, or sale of a variety, violators face up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won (about US$14,309). Violations of seed quality labeling requirements are also subject to fines. The conversion uses the August 19, 2026 KRW/USD rate of 1,397.7 won per US$1.

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Source: The Plantations International Agroforestry Group of Companies