신선 사과 insights

(Jinju=Yonhap News) Reporter Park Jeong-heon = Following last spring's wildfires, last month's heavy rains, and ongoing heatwaves, damages to fruit farms in the Gyeongnam region have continued, raising concerns about the prices of fruits for the upcoming Chuseok holiday, just over a month away. According to the Gyeongnam Agricultural Technology Institute, the main fruits grown by fruit farmers in the province, such as apples and pears, are expected to see a significant decrease in yield due to sunburn and poor growth. Sunburn is a phenomenon where the flesh of the fruit turns brown and rots due to strong sunlight. Sunburn damage is occurring extensively in major apple-producing areas such as Geochang, Milyang, and Hamyang, as well as in pear-producing areas such as Changwon and Jinju. Moreover, apples, pears, and pears, which grow larger in July and August, are not growing properly due to the hot weather and are ripening prematurely. The exact scale and area of the damage are currently being compiled. While there are countermeasures such as installing shading nets and spraying calcium carbonate, they require significant costs and labor, and also have issues such as leaving stains on the fruit surface. Therefore, fruit farmers in the province, who are already suffering from wildfires, heavy rains, and heatwaves, are only getting more frustrated. If the current trend continues, a decrease in overall yield and a reduction in farmers' income seem inevitable. On the other hand, consumers are expected to have to purchase fruits for Chuseok this year at higher prices than in previous years. Since Gyeongnam is a major production area for various fruits, such as accounting for 67% of the national pear cultivation area, 11% for apples, and 5% for pears, a decrease in production will naturally lead to a price increase. According to the agricultural product distribution comprehensive information system "Nongnet," the wholesale price of apples per kg is 4,691 won as of August this year, which is about 10% higher than 4,243 won in August last year. The auction price of pears per kg is 8,139 won as of August this year, nearly double the 4,420 won in August last year. An official from the Agricultural Technology Institute explained, "Due to prolonged heatwaves and wildfires and floods in some areas, the damage has tended to be greater," and "We have no choice but to find countermeasures by responding more sensitively to climate change in the future..."

[Korean Farmers' News Reporter Kim Young-min] As the hot weather continues, it has been reported that the apple spotted mite has increased significantly compared to last year. In response, Gyeong-Nong has recommended two of its products. Firstly, the new systemic pesticide "Might King" controls all growth stages of the mite, from eggs to adult, and is effective even against resistant mites. With its rapid insecticidal effect, mites exposed to the pesticide experience convulsions within three hours and a lethal reaction within five hours. The "Jangpung" product is also effective in controlling the spotted mite. It is a combination of the fast-acting abamectin component and the long-lasting spiromesifen component, providing both quick and enduring effects.

[Guja-ryong Gi, Reporter for the Korea Farmers and Fishermen Newspaper] The role of Gochang County in Gyeongnam as a distribution hub for apples is expanding further. On the 22nd, Gochang County held the "2025 Gochang Apple First Sale Ceremony" at the Gochang Apple Farm Cooperative's Produce Processing Center. Governor Park Wan-su of Gyeongnam, Mayor Gu In-mo of Gochang County, Vice Chairman Shin Jung-yang of the Gochang County Council, Head Ryu Gil-nyeon of the Rural Cooperatives Gyeongnam Head Office, and Chairman Oh Jong-seok of the Gochang Apple Farm Cooperative, along with farmers and wholesale merchants, held a ceremony to wish for a bountiful harvest before announcing the official start of the shipment of the 2025 Gochang apples with a first sale performance. The guests even took on the role of wholesale merchants to conduct an auction. Awards were also given to those who contributed to the development of the Gochang apple industry. NS