Value context and insight. lkm@koreatimes.co.kr
Korea bets homegrown fruit will bear sweet rewards abroad
Arihyang, a premium Korean strawberry variety developed for export and high-end domestic markets by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs / Courtesy of Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
By Lee Kyung-min
Korea is shifting toward domestically developed seeds and premium varieties, seeking to reduce its reliance on a narrow range of export staples and gain a foothold in the global market for high-end produce.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Monday it will expand support for homegrown fruit and vegetable varieties, as part of a broader push to diversify Korea’s agricultural exports and target overseas consumers willing to pay more for distinctive, high-quality products.
The initiative, now in its third year, focuses on cultivating and commercializing 18 new varieties across four key export crops: grapes, strawberries, pears and paprika. The effort is designed to broaden export portfolios, extend shipping seasons and reduce royalty payments to foreign breeders.
The ministry said it has spent the past two years testing the global competitiveness of Korean-developed varieties through tailored, country-specific support programs, laying the groundwork for wider international expansion.
Exports of these new varieties reached $3.58 million last year, totaling 590 tons. The ministry said it aims to increase that figure by more than 10 percent this year.
To support the effort, the government plans to provide cultivation manuals, training and financial assistance for seedlings, farming materials, product development and marketing. Export agreements between farmers and distributors will be coordinated through integrated export organizations to help ensure stable supply.
Grapes remain Korea’s top fresh export, led overwhelmingly by the Shine Muscat variety, which accounts for more than 90 percent of shipments. Total grape exports hit a record $85 million last year. The ministry said it will expand red grape varieties such as Glorista and Red Claret to extend the export season and diversify offerings, while targeting new markets including the United States, Canada and Russia.
Strawberry exports reached $72 million last year, up 4 percent from a year earlier. To sustain growth, the ministry said it will promote premium varieties such as Gold Berry and Pink Candy in markets including the United States and the Middle East, alongside marketing efforts targeting airline catering and hotel chains.
Pear exports, which have slowed amid climate-related challenges, are also set for a shift. The ministry plans to promote early-harvest varieties such as Hwasan, which offer higher sweetness and improved texture compared with the dominant Singo variety. New markets, including Australia and Indonesia, are being targeted.
Paprika, long reliant on foreign-developed varieties, is another focus. The ministry said it will expand domestic varieties such as Leah Red to reduce royalty costs and build on initial export gains in markets like the Philippines and the United States, while deepening penetration in Southeast Asia.
The ministry said the export environment remains challenging due to climate change, quarantine rules and tighter safety standards. Officials added that the government will continue supporting the development and adoption of new varieties to boost exports and increase farm incomes.
This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.