"At this rate, we won't be able to buy Chuseok gifts".. Unusual weather causes 'quality emergency' for apples and pears

[Financial News] With heavy rains and heatwaves in July causing significant damage to major production areas, disruptions are expected in the supply of high-grade agricultural products for Chuseok gifts, such as apples and pears. Large supermarkets, the largest sellers of holiday gift sets, are preparing countermeasures such as diversifying production areas and expanding small and irregular fruits, but concerns about price increases and reduced quantities of gift sets are emerging.  
According to the distribution industry on the 27th, it is expected that the fruit harvest of apples and pears will not reach the average level due to the record heatwaves and localized heavy rains that have been repeated since July. As the reservation sales of Chuseok gift sets are set to begin in earnest from mid-next month, it is expected to have a significant impact on price setting and supply quantities. Especially this year, due to the unusually unstable weather conditions coinciding with the harvest season of apples and pears, securing high-quality gift fruits has become an emergency.
This year's apples have suffered severe damage from frost during the flowering period, heavy rains, and lack of sunlight. With smaller fruit sizes and increased quality variations, it is difficult to secure 'high-grade' fruits for premium gifts. Additionally, due to the forest fires in Gyeongbuk last April, the cultivation area in major production areas such as Andong and Cheongsong has decreased, which may exacerbate the shortage of quantities.
Pears are also expected to see a decrease in shipments due to frost and sunburn (sun damage), with an increase in the rate of 'cracking' on the fruit surface, reducing the proportion of products suitable for gifts. A representative from a large supermarket said, "The erratic weather, with heatwaves following heavy rains, is the biggest variable," adding, "If climate anomalies continue, the simultaneous occurrence of pest outbreaks and cracking will make it very difficult to harvest high-quality fruits for gifts." 
The possibility of a price increase for Chuseok gift sets is also being raised. The price of apples for Chuseok gifts rose significantly in 2023 due to poor harvests caused by worsening weather conditions, but fell by about 10% last year. This year, with the supply base itself shaken, the scarcity of high-grade items may increase further. Agricultural product prices have the characteristic of fluctuating rapidly according to wholesale market auction prices during the distribution process, so there is expected to be a large fluctuation range around the main harvest time in late August to early September.
However, as this year's Chuseok is later than usual on October 6th, it is expected that the supply shortage will not reach a 'crisis' level. 
Distribution companies are focusing on regional dispersion strategies and expanding practical products. Emart is securing quantities from alternative production areas such as Jeolla-do and Gangwon-do, considering the decrease in shipments from the Gyeongsang region. In particular, they have completed contracts with production areas earlier than usual and are strengthening refrigerated logistics systems to maintain freshness. Homeplus plans to increase planned sets centered on small and irregular fruits, anticipating a significant increase in the price of premium fruit sets. They are also strengthening the composition of '1-2 person family' practical sets to meet the demand of consumers with high price sensitivity.
Meanwhile, it is expected that the price increase of strawberries, a representative winter fruit, will be inevitable due to climate anomalies. Recently, flooding damage occurred in major production areas such as Sancheong in Gyeongnam, Damyang in Jeonnam, and Nonsan in Chungnam, affecting strawberry seedlings. There is a high possibility that the shipment timing will be delayed this year as well, following last year. Strawberries have recorded the highest fruit sales in large supermarkets for three consecutive years, so if there is an initial supply shortage, the price increase could be significant.
In response, the distribution industry is working to secure strawberry quantities from smart farms that are not affected by the climate. Lotte Mart is procuring strawberries through smart farms in Buan and Gimje, Jeonbuk, and plans to increase the quantity of various strawberry varieties in Goryeong and Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk. 



clean@fnnews.com Lee Jeong-hwa Reporter