Shine Muscat grape prices in South Korea continue to fall as expanded production capacity drives oversupply and quality variation. According to data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation cited by Yonhap News, the average retail price for a 2 kg box was 11,572 won (US$8.80) on November 14. This is down 54.6 per cent from previous years and 19.1 per cent below the same period in 2024. At times, the daily price dropped below 10,000 won (US$7.60) before a slight recovery.
Average retail prices in October have decreased each year: 34,000 won (US$25.70) in 2020, 33,000 won (US$25.00) in 2021, 24,000 won (US$18.20) in 2022, 21,000 won (US$15.90) in 2023, 15,000 won (US$11.30) in 2024, and 13,000 won (US$9.90) in 2025. Last month's average of 13,314 won (US$10.10) shows Shine Muscat has become the lowest-priced major grape variety in the domestic market. Geobong averaged 22,952 won (US$17.60) and Campbell Early averaged 15,834 won (US$12.10). In 2021, Shine Muscat was 43 per cent more expensive than Geobong.
The Korea Rural Economic Institute expects wholesale prices this month to remain near 7,000 won (US$5.30) per 2 kg, which is about 3,000 won (US$2.30) lower than last year's average of 9,900 won (US$7.50).
Industry sources link the decline to the rapid expansion of the cultivated area. As profitability became well known, more growers moved into Shine Muscat production, increasing supply and contributing to quality variation. The variety accounted for 4 per cent of grape plantings in 2017, increasing to 22 per cent in 2020, 41 per cent in 2022, and 43.1 per cent in 2023, surpassing Campbell Early at 29.3 per cent and Geobong at 17.5 per cent.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated, "Excessive production of large-sized fruits actually lowers the sugar content," adding that it plans to provide guidance at production and distribution sites so that consumers can choose fruit of appropriate size.
The issue was also raised during a National Assembly audit, where legislator Lee Manhee questioned the government about price-related measures. The National Agricultural Cooperative Federation delivered one ton of Shine Muscat grapes to the 2nd Marine Division to support growers experiencing low market prices.
Source: AsiaBusinessDaily
