The Korean government plans to bolster locally grown horticultural crops, otherwise known as garden crops, an Agriculture Ministry-affiliated institute has stated. 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 US$8.82 billion 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.
Source: koreatimes.co.kr
