Korean strawberry exports are approaching 1 trillion won per year. Last year, overseas shipments totaled about 99.3 billion won, equal to roughly US$74.8 million, ranking strawberries first among Korea's agricultural export items. Southeast Asia accounts for 90 per cent of export volume and remains the primary market. In Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia, Korean strawberries are viewed as a premium product, shifting local perceptions of strawberry flavor and texture.
Globally, the largest strawberry-exporting countries are Mexico, Spain, and the United States. However, demand growth in Southeast Asia is concentrated on the Korean supply. Ha Yoo Jung, Director at the agricultural products export department, said, "Strawberries do not grow well in Southeast Asia." Ha added, "In the United States and Australia, strawberries are grown in open fields, so quality is inconsistent," and said, "The quality and sugar content of Korean strawberries are unrivaled."
Korea's current export presence is built on domestic breeding work that began in the early 2000s. At that time, 90 per cent of locally produced strawberries were the Japanese variety Janghee (Akihime). When Japan sought royalty payments, domestic research institutions accelerated breeding programs. The Seolhyang variety was developed in 2005 by the Nonsan Strawberry Experiment Station of the South Chungcheong Province Agricultural Research and Extension Services. Seolhyang is described as suitable for winter production, manageable in cultivation, and larger in size than Japanese varieties. Additional varieties such as Maehyang, Geumsil, and Kingsberry have since been commercialized.
Export concentration remains centered on a narrow varietal range. Geumsil accounts for a large portion of shipments, reflecting production patterns in South Gyeongsang Province. Stakeholders note that reliance on one or two varieties from a specific region can restrict export volumes when farms experience weather-related losses or pest and disease pressure. Last year, abnormal weather in the South Gyeongsang region resulted in a 2.6 per cent decline in strawberry export volume compared with the previous year.
Kim Hyun Suk, Head of Team at the Strawberry Research Institute, said, "For a new variety, it is difficult to increase market share even by 1 per cent," and noted, "Support for research personnel is needed, and after variety development, cultivation technology support must be provided together."
Source: ChosunBiz
