Pome (Core) insights

(Changwon=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Sun-kyung = Changwon City announced that it will operate a Changwon Persimmon pop-up store at the Starfield Hanam branch from the 14th to the 16th. The city prepared this event to inform consumers in the metropolitan area about the excellence of Changwon Persimmons, which are registered as Agricultural Product Geographical Indication No. 117. The pop-up store will consist of four themed zones: a Changwon Persimmon tasting and sharing area, an experience event zone to increase brand awareness, and a delivery sales area. The city also plans to produce short video content featuring Changwon Persimmons and the promotional character "Dani" and run SNS advertisements targeting the metropolitan area. Changwon is the largest persimmon production area in the country. Last year's production volume was 23,000 tons (worth 70 billion won), ranking first in the nation. Changwon Persimmons were registered as Agricultural Product Geographical Indication No. 117 by the Agricultural Product Quality Management Institute last June due to their geographical characteristics and superior quality. ksk@yna.co.kr

At the Dole booth at the 8th China International Import Expo, global premium fruit brand Dole and Better Trade Group jointly held the signing ceremony for the "2025-2026 Regional Strategic Development Agreement for Pear Varieties," marking the deepening of cooperation between the two parties and their joint efforts to advance the strategic layout of Belgian pears in the Chinese market. Coinciding with the 14th anniversary of Belgian pears entering China, the signing ceremony attracted much attention. Guests from the Belgian Fruit Valley Association, Dole China, as well as Baiguoyuan and Better Trade Group, attended the event to witness this important moment. Marc Marcel A. Evrard, Commercial Director of the Belgian Fruit Valley Association, emphasized in his speech: "We attach great importance to the long-term strategic cooperation with Dole. For 14 years, both parties have been committed to making Belgian pears a popular imported pear variety in the Chinese market. The Belgian Fruit Valley has over a century of pear cultivation history. We strictly control every link from orchard to market, ensuring that every pear meets high-quality standards. This regional strategic cooperation between Dole and Better Trade will further expand the influence of Belgian pears in the Chinese market. We are confident and fully supportive of this." In his speech, Li Yang, Commercial Director of Dole China, said: "This is a deep handshake based on regional insights, a precise match of quality assurance and channel cultivation. We will fully leverage Dole's stable supply chain advantages to provide our partners with continuous, quality-assured products. We will jointly carry out market education and create blockbuster activities to achieve dual enhancement of brand influence and sales performance." Zhu Qidong, Executive President of Baiguoyuan, said: "We are optimistic about the development potential of Belgian pears in the Chinese market. This strategic cooperation with Dole will provide consumers with better product choices and shopping experiences." Di Weihao, Chief Representative of Better Trade Group, emphasized: "The regional market has enormous consumer potential. We will leverage our localized operational advantages to work with Dole to promote the deep penetration of pear varieties in the regional market." It is understood that Dole has maintained long-term close cooperation with the Belgian Fruit Valley Association. Truval Belgian pears, with their unique "crisp and soft" taste, fine texture, and high edible rate, are deeply loved by Chinese consumers. At last year's Import Expo, Dole partnered with the iconic Belgian IP, Smurfs, to launch a collaborative pear variety, successfully boosting product awareness through the "Expo effect." This strategic cooperation will further leverage the marketing advantages of IP collaboration, enhance brand influence through innovative market promotion activities. This strategic cooperation will achieve complementary advantages: Dole, with its global supply chain and brand advantages, ensures product quality; Better Trade, through its deep-rooted regional channel network, further enhances the market coverage of pears. This "global quality + regional cultivation" cooperation model will provide new ideas for the development of imported fruits in the Chinese market. Source: Dole Company Statement: This article represents the views of the brand only and does not represent the position of the International Fruit and Vegetable Association.

(Boeun=Yonhap News) Reporter Park Byeong-gi = On the 13th, Boeun County announced that it will export 5.4 tons of apples (Sinano Gold) produced in the Samseong area to Vietnam. This is the first time in 17 years, since the export to Taiwan in 2008, that apples from this region have been exported overseas. On the same day, Boeun County held an apple export shipment ceremony at the Samseong Fruit Distribution Center (APC), and shipped out the best quality apples. These apples will be sold at Lotte Mart in Hanoi, Vietnam, and the county plans to hold a promotional event for "Boeun Apples" there next month. In this region, 840 farms cultivate apples on 473 hectares. The main varieties are 'Fuji' and 'Hongro', but the cultivation of Sinano Gold has been increasing in recent years. An official from Boeun County said, "This export is expected to expand the Southeast Asian market."