Beating the heat and winning on taste: Korea's farms wage a variety war

Yellow Dream, Pink Candy gain fans as variety names become brands in their own right; climate-resilient crops reshape farm income

Mango-flavored peaches, bite-sized Coco Ball grapes, Pink Candy strawberries — Korea's farms are entering an era in which variety competitiveness, not raw output, determines a grower's income. The price and earnings gap between farmers who choose the right variety and those who do not is widening, as breeders race to develop crops that satisfy consumer tastes while also standing up to heat waves and monsoon rains.

According to the Rural Development Administration (RDA), 2,594 domestic crop varieties are currently registered in South Korea. Food crops account for the largest share at 997 varieties, followed by ornamental flowers at 799, industrial crops at 290, vegetables at 236 and fruit trees at 206. Where breeders once focused primarily on high-yield development, the emphasis has shifted to varieties that balance consumer preference with climate adaptability.

Shoppers buy by variety name — and the variety has become the brand

A selection of horticultural crop varieties developed by the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science. [RDA]

The grape variety Coco Ball is expanding its market share on the strength of its eat-the-skin convenience, while the strawberry Pink Candy is building recognition in the dessert market through its intense fragrance and vivid color.

The nectarine Yellow Dream has been bred to reduce tartness and amplify tropical-fruit aroma, earning it the nickname "mango peach" among consumers.

Shoppers are increasingly bypassing generic searches for "grapes" or "peaches" and looking up specific variety names before buying — a sign that the variety itself has become a brand.

"In the past, consumers looked first at the growing region or the price; now many check the variety name before they buy," said Jeong Seung-il, head of the production wholesale division at Nonghyup Economic Holdings. "As differences in taste, aroma and texture become more pronounced, the variety is functioning as a brand."

Farmers are also shifting their focus from maximizing output to targeting consumer preferences. Varieties differentiated by taste, aroma, color and texture command premium prices, and the resulting gap in profitability is growing.

"Variety development now hinges not only on productivity but on how well it reflects consumer preferences," said Kim Dae-hyeon, director of the RDA's National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science. "We are pursuing taste-driven varieties and climate-adaptive varieties at the same time."

Kim added that because a farmer's income can vary significantly depending on which variety they choose to grow, the institute would also work to distribute superior varieties that growers can feel the difference from in the field.

Climate crisis reshapes the variety race

Climate change is accelerating variety competition. Demand is rising not just for varieties that taste good, but for those that can maintain quality through heat waves, monsoon rains and pest pressure.

The RDA has been stepping up efforts to expand the distribution of climate-resilient varieties. Securing varieties capable of stable production under abnormal weather conditions has become a central priority, moving the agency beyond the high-yield focus of the past.

Researchers at the RDA's National Institute of Crop Science cultivate and study Alchanmi, a climate-adaptive rice variety. [RDA]

The Alchanmi variety developed by the RDA. [RDA]

Among rice varieties, high-temperature-tolerant breeds stand out. The imported variety Koshihikari develops white spots on its grains during heat waves, but domestic varieties Haedeul and Alchanmi are recognized for maintaining quality even at elevated temperatures. Alchanmi in particular is expanding its cultivation area in major rice-producing regions including Icheon, Gyeonggi Province.

The drought-tolerant variety Haechan is also drawing attention. Its high germination rate in water-scarce conditions has positioned it as an alternative variety for the era of climate change.

The Arisu apple variety developed by the RDA's National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science. [RDA]

In fruit crops, the apple variety Arisu is a leading example. As rising nighttime temperatures caused widespread coloring problems, the RDA developed Arisu to ripen red even in high heat. Its early harvest window also makes it a preferred choice for chuseok, the autumn harvest holiday.

The Yumi peach variety developed by the RDA's National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science. [RDA]

The peach variety Yumi retains its sugar content well through the frequent rains of monsoon season and suffers less fruit drop. Yellow Dream also shows strong marketability in high temperatures, and its cultivation is spreading, particularly in southern regions.

Field crops are no exception. The adzuki bean variety Hongda resists lodging, while Arari offers improved pest and disease resistance for more stable cultivation.

"Developing climate-adaptive varieties is an essential task for food security and farm income," said Kim Byeong-seok, director of the RDA's National Institute of Crop Science. "Securing varieties that can produce stably even under extreme weather is becoming increasingly important."

Kim added that interest in functional rice and grains that help manage blood sugar levels is also growing. "We plan to expand the development and commercialization of functional varieties such as Dodam rice," he said.

adastra@heraldcorp.com