South Korea experienced three typhoons recently where the Shingo pear orchards of Namsun GTL were greatly affected resulting in a decrease in the total volume of production of Shingo pears and as expected, an increase in prices.
Namsun GTL’s main export destinations of Shingo pears are Taiwan, USA and Europe.
Annually, the total export volume to Taiwan is at least 400 tons; 152-200 tons to the USA and between 50-60 tons to Europe. The typhoon decreased the total export this year to all three markets.
For Taiwan, it will be less than 50-100 tons this year while US is expected to have a 10% decrease from the normal export volume.
In Europe, the demand for the Shingo pear is decreasing due to cheap Chinese pears.
“We will continue to export the good quality of Shingo pears to European countries this year. We know that we will have a hard time with an increased price and decreased volume, but we will keep introducing and promoting our Shingo pears," said Mr. Jun Sub Park, Manager of Namsun GTL.
Other markets in Europe are Germany, England and Slovakia.
Slovakia is a new market for Namsun GTL and demand for Shingo pears is increasing every year. “This is an important market for us. We started exporting three years ago with 9 tons and this year, we estimate to have at least 32 tons of pear for Slovakian consumers,” Mr. Park added.
The Slovakian consumers prefer big sizes of Shingo pears and they don’t show any hesitation in buying it even if the prices are much higher than the Chinese or normal pears available in the market.
“Namsun GTL needs a stable price in the EU market and the government should promote more Korean agricultural products. My hopes are for the Europeans to realize how special the Korean Shingo pears compared with Chinese pears,” Mr.Park said.
Namsun GTL Shingo pears are marketed under the “Su-Mi-Sun” and “Smart Farm” brands.
