The story behind Korean strawberry's sweet success

In Korea it's not the cherry on top.

It's the strawberry.

And advances in farming technology here have made it possible for us to indulge in them all year round as their popularity also takes them from our tables to those beyond borders.

Our Song Yoo-jin has this tasty tale.

From cakes and tarts to canapes and salads and even sandwiches, strawberries dominate bakeries and restaurants across Korea this time of year.

But their appeal isn't just local.

While Southeast Asia has long been a key market, Korean strawberries are now expanding into new regions.

Compared to 2021, exports to the Middle East jumped 40 times last year, while U.S. exports increased threefold.

"Until the early 2000s, Japanese strawberries dominated exports to Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

But in 2002, Korea developed the Maehyang variety, which has firmer flesh, a longer shelf life, and a sweeter taste, ideal for export. That was the turning point."

It all started here.

"The Strawberry Research Institute in Nonsan City, Chungcheongnam-do Province, about a two-hour drive from Seoul is where Korea's signature strawberry varieties are developed. So far, researchers here have cultivated over a dozen unique varieties."

This institute introduced the internationally popular Maehyang and then Seolhyang in 2005, which holds an 80-percent share of the domestic market.

It's also home to trending varieties like King's Berry, as large as a fist, and Vita Berry, known for its high vitamin content.

Developing new strains is a rigorous process, typically taking five to seven years.

"We do it through selective breeding, with a focus on taste and yield.

The flavor must stand out to attract consumers, and a high-yield variety ensures stable supply."

This commitment has shaped the iconic flavor of Korean strawberries.

"Korean strawberries offer a unique sweet-tart balance, which is different to many tropical fruits, for example.

They also have a juicy texture and softer bite, which makes them especially popular among international consumers."

But the journey doesn't stop here, with researchers working to develop the breakthrough variety.

"We're developing new varieties with improved durability for the sake of distribution.

At the same time, as climate conditions change, we're also focusing on breeding disease-resistant strawberries."

It's a success story that's getting sweeter, and it looks like the best is yet to come.

Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News, Nonsan.