Agency seeks to close summer supply gap through smart-farm technology forum; exports reach $56.87 million through April, led by Thailand and Singapore

Hong Moon-pyo (second from left), president of the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), listens to a briefing on year-round strawberry production technology at a technical seminar on four-season strawberry production. [aT]
Hong Moon-pyo (second from left), president of the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), listens to a briefing on year-round strawberry production technology at a technical seminar on four-season strawberry production. [aT]

The Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) is moving to spread year-round strawberry production technology as it works to address climate change and build a stronger foundation for export expansion.

aT said it held a technical seminar on four-season strawberry production at the aT Center in Seoul on Friday, where participants discussed the feasibility of year-round output using smart-farming technology and ways to boost exports during the summer months.

Strawberries are among South Korea's most prominent fruits, rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Domestic output last year reached approximately 155,000 metric tons.

Korean strawberries have gained popularity in overseas markets for their high sugar content and firm texture. Exports reached $56.87 million through the end of April this year, up 16.6 percent from the same period last year.

The top export destinations last year were Thailand at $19.7 million, Singapore at $19.5 million, Hong Kong at $10 million and Vietnam at $7.5 million.

However, strawberries require precise temperature and environmental controls during cultivation, concentrating both production and consumption in the winter months. The need to secure a stable production base has grown as the effects of climate change — including abnormally high temperatures — become more pronounced.

At the seminar, agricultural company Ecobot introduced a growth-environment control technology using modular indoor smart farms. The system regulates temperature, humidity, light intensity and carbon dioxide levels inside indoor cultivation facilities to reduce seasonal dependency and enable consistent year-round production.

Participants discussed the applicability of four-season production technology, future verification challenges and ways to expand summer export volumes.

aT said it plans to use the seminar as a springboard to share smart-farming technology information and examine the feasibility of closing the summer strawberry export gap. The agency also intends to expand its production-technology network and explore ways to increase year-round output volumes based on export and retail data.

"Strawberries are a high-value product that demonstrates the potential of K-food and contributes to raising farm household incomes," aT President Hong Moon-pyo said. "We will take a step-by-step look at the feasibility of four-season strawberry production and work to strengthen stable output of fresh agricultural produce and export competitiveness even amid climate change."


adastra@heraldcorp.com