"Korean Strawberries on Another Level"... Selling Like Hotcakes Despite Being Three Times More Expensive Due to Outstanding Sweetness

Exports Up 15.9% in the First Half of the Year, Growth Continues

Targeting the Premium Market with 11–14 Brix Sweetness

Korean strawberries are solidifying their position as a premium fruit in overseas markets. Despite higher prices, local consumers continue to prefer them, and demand is steadily increasing.

Korean strawberries are increasing their presence in overseas markets by leveraging their premium competitiveness. The Asia Business Daily

Korean Strawberries Become a 'Premium Fruit'... Nearly Twice as Sweet as Local Varieties

According to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency on July 7, strawberry export value in the first half of this year (January to June) reached USD 60.7 million, a 15.9% increase compared to the same period last year. Following last year’s record annual export value of USD 72,014,000, this year also shows continued growth.

The most notable market is Singapore. Korea has maintained its position as the largest exporter of fresh strawberries to Singapore for several years. Local importers market Korean strawberries as a 'premium fruit associated with the Korean Wave,' and thanks to their high sugar content and outstanding freshness, they are rated as a step above competing products.

In local markets, Korean strawberries are sold at much higher prices than other strawberries. For example, 330g of Korean strawberries are sold for 17.95 Singapore dollars (about 18,000 won).

Despite being more than three times more expensive than Japanese or locally produced strawberries, consumers still seek out Korean strawberries. This is due to strong trust in their high sugar content, freshness, and consistent quality.

The average sugar content of Korean strawberries is 11–14 Brix, while local strawberries average around 7–8 Brix—up to nearly twice as much. In Southeast Asia, strawberries are typically lower in sugar and are mostly consumed processed as jams or smoothies rather than as fresh fruit. In contrast, Korean strawberries, grown with large temperature differences between day and night, have firm flesh, abundant juice, and have seen their sweetness further enhanced through continuous varietal improvement.

Additionally, in the Singapore market, where gift-giving culture is well developed, new demand can be generated around holidays, anniversaries, and corporate gifting.

The photo is not directly related to the content of the article. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

From Southeast Asia to the United States... 'K-Strawberry' Competitiveness Enhanced by New Varieties and Smart Farms

Not only in Singapore, but also in Thailand and Hong Kong, imports of Korean strawberries continue to increase, and exports to the United States have more than doubled in recent years.

This popularity is supported by the competitiveness of Korea’s domestic strawberry industry. While the cultivation area is decreasing, productivity is actually rising thanks to increased adoption of smart farms. The Rural Development Administration and local strawberry research centers are focusing on strengthening global competitiveness by developing exclusive new varieties such as Maehyang, Seolhyang, Geumsil, Kingsberry, and Snowberry, all of which are known for their high sugar content and sweet-tart aroma.

Experts predict that demand for Korean strawberries will continue to grow across Southeast Asia. With the Korean Wave and the expansion of the middle class, the premium fruit market is rapidly growing, creating a favorable environment for Korean strawberries. However, to maintain this growth, it is also necessary to reduce logistics costs, negotiate quarantine agreements for each importing country, and strengthen export infrastructure.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.