Japanese buyers hope to import Korean Seji-Melon year-round

Western varieties of melon have higher sugar content than that of oriental melon. They are rich in iron, niacin, and vitamins A and C. What’s more, the fruit can prevent cancers thanks to the abundance of beta-carotene in it.

The area of Seji-myeon, located in Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, South Korea, has plenty of sunshine and relatively high temperatures (annual average is 14~15°C). These climatic conditions favour growing high quality melons. The best among these is “Selonee,” a brand of National Agricultural Cooperatives Federation (SejiNH). The company produces and sorts out for export only perfect Selonee melons with the sugar content over 12°Bx.

The Seji melons are harvested throughout the year except in August and September. These are harvested three times in a year. The average cultivation period, from seeding to harvest, usually takes 90~100 days. By concentrating their efforts on growing melons, and not on producing any other fruits, the farmers of Seji-myeon were able to achieve this impressive result - three harvests a year.

Thanks to this system, Seji-myeon produces annually over 3,000 tons of the fruit. 10~15 percent is exported to Japan. The average price is USD$20 per 5kg box. Last year, despite some abnormal temperatures, the area produced 2,987 tons of melon. Among these, 314 tons went to Japan.

Working on Cultivating Japanese Melon in Korea…Targeting Japanese Market

In Japan, you can enjoy Selonee melons in a luxurious hotel or a prestigious restaurant. In the supermarkets, cheaper American melons hold sway. But SejiNH,(National Agricultural Cooperatives Federation), is studying the ways to win over ordinary customers as well. According to Jung Sun-jong, a member of SejiNH staff, “tests for cultivating the Japanese variety of melon are under way on our farm. If the Japanese variety is found to be sweeter than Selonee, we will grow the Japanese variety to appeal to the Japanese market.”

For more information:
Seji Nonghyup.
Tel:+82-61-331-5080
Email at [email protected]

Source: Korea AgraFood