Value context and insight. lkm@koreatimes.co.kr
Korea to elevate garden crops as globally recognized 'K-exports'
Strawberries / Courtesy of Rural Development Administration
By Lee Kyung-min
Strawberries, grapes, peaches and persimmons gain popularity
By Lee Kyung-min
Korea plans to bolster locally grown horticultural crops, otherwise known as garden crops, as high-quality, healthy and fresh produce, an agriculture ministry-affiliated institute said Monday.
Underpinning the efforts of the Rural Development Administration (RDA) is the soaring worldwide popularity of Korean cultural products, K-pop, film and other entertainment industries extending to Korea-made food and snacks.
Exports of agricultural products stood at an all-time high of $8.82 billion (11.5 trillion won) last year, a 3.1 percent year-on-year increase led in significant part by 39 horticultural crops making the list of top 50 agricultural export items. Among the 39 crops are strawberries, grapes, peaches and persimmons.
Strawberries are one of the most popular export items, having generated explosive growth, a feat achieved in less than 20 years since locally-produced strawberry varieties first outnumbered imported ones.
Korea paid over 3 billion won in royalties overseas including to Japan for imported strawberries in 2005, when over 90 percent of strawberries were imported. Domestically produced strawberries accounted for only 9.2 percent of the market at the time.
However, the market share of Korea-produced strawberries spiked to 96 percent last year, up from 61.1 percent in 2010.
According to a 2021 survey by the state-run organization of 300 farmers and 1,000 consumers, the localization of strawberries topped the list of successful agricultural initiatives over the past six decades.
The RDA exported a combined $57.6 million worth of strawberries to Hong Kong, Singapore and Vietnam.
Korea's strawberry varieties are known for their excellent firm appearance, honey-like taste and rich peach-scented aroma, the institute said. More varieties will be introduced for year-round export.
The Winter Prince, a new premium variety of tangerine / Courtesy of Rural Development Administration
Grapes are export items with a dramatic twist, as best summarized by Korea's Shine Muscat outperforming Chile's grapes.
The Korea-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA) taking effect in 2004 cornered many local grape farmers, mostly due to cheaper produce imported from Chile with just as good a flavor.
But many switched their business to grow Shine Muscat, a newer product with positive consumer reviews for its sweet taste, longer storage capability and aroma.
The local grape farming industry had been on a downward trend since 2000 but was able to rebound in 2020. Combined annual exports of the produce to Vietnam, Hong Kong and the U.S. came to $33.2 million as of 2022.
Peaches are also in high demand both within the country and abroad. A combined $3.7 million worth of produce was exported to Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia in 2022.
The RDA receives pre-orders as mediated by local online commerce firms and exports them immediately after harvesting.
A new premium variety of tangerine known as Winter Prince is characterized by its high sugar content and juicy taste.
The export of Winter Prince to Singapore last year was extremely successful, as evidenced by 192 boxes being sold out in just three days.
The RDA plans to expand exports in the second half of this year, to better meet demand ahead of Lunar New Year.