South Korea Fresh Strawberry insights

[Reporter Park Du-kyung, Korea Agricultural and Fishery Newspaper] Geumsil and Snowberry, strawberries produced in Sangju, Gyeongbuk, were exported to Dubai for the first time this year through Gyeongbuk Trading Co., Ltd. This export was the result of the activities of the agricultural and food halal market development team in October of last year. In order to preserve the quality of the strawberries, the hardness of the packaging box paper was improved and the height was increased to prevent product crushing, and in order to meet the needs of overseas consumers, 2 pieces per box, single-tier packaging was implemented. In addition, the strawberries exported to Dubai are a mixed product of Geumsil and Snowberry, and exports to the Middle East are expected to expand in the future. The province is promoting the ‘Berry Good Project’ with the goal of promoting the excellence of Gyeongbuk strawberries and expanding the export market.

According to the “2024 Autumn Cabbage, Radish, Soybean, Apple, and Pear Production Survey Results” released by Statistics Korea on December 23, the total production of apples and pears in 2024 is expected to increase by 10.4% year-on-year to 639,000 tons. Apples are expected to increase by 16.6% to 460,000 tons, and pears are expected to decrease by 2.9% to 178,000 tons.

Even in late November, strawberry prices, which had been worried about a flood of shipments in the second half of this month, are rising despite expectations. On the 20th, at Garak Market in Seoul, ‘Seolhyang’ strawberries were traded at 41,176 won per 2kg box. This is 7.3% higher than the average in December last year (38,379 won) and 12.3% higher than the average December (36,645 won). The reason is the lack of supply. Park Seong-dae, head of Okjong Agricultural Cooperative in Hadong, Gyeongnam, explained, “We expected the crop to be good when the first batch was shipped, but high-temperature damage was discovered late.” He added, “The amount of supplementary and replanted strawberries is expected to be shipped after mid-January, so the amount will not be large for the time being.” In fact, the amount of strawberries brought into Garak Market over the past week (14th to 20th) was 472 tons, a 36.2% decrease from the same period last year (740 tons). Among distributors, the outlook is that high prices will continue. Kim Moon-gyeom, head of the Central Government and an auctioneer, said, “Demand from the distribution and restaurant industries is concentrated around Christmas, so prices are high.” He also predicted, “Until the end of the year, there is a high possibility that a 2kg box of products will be in the early to mid 40,000 won range.”