Joy Farm might be new in the industry yet their strawberries are ready to hit the European shelves this season which will start end of November.
“We are ready to enter the European market this year after introducing our products to Hongkong, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia in 2011. Our company was founded by Mr. Lee who used to work in Nonghyup (National Agricultural Cooperative) in South Korea for a a quite long time, he realized that he had enough experience and knowledge to form a cooperative after working directly with farmers. He knows them and he is just ready to join together and start this business,” said Mr. Jespersen Choi, Sales Manager of Joy Farm.
Joy Farm started exporting sweet persimmons, Singo pears, onions and strawberries via a trading company last year and this time the company is directly marketing their products.
Total production of strawberries last year was 700 tons and Joy Farm expects to double the volume in 2012.
Singapore and Hong Kong are the main export destinations where Maehyang is the top variety.
Maehyang is the most marketed and recommended strawberry from Korea due to its freshness and attractive appearance even after after transporting and storing the strawberries for a few days.
“Actually, among the strawberry varieties that Joy Farm offers, the Seolhyang is the sweetest and juiciest variety for export. This variety is famous among consumers from Taiwan,” said Mr. Choi.
Joy Farm is composed of 30 determined farmers and a cold storage and chain system to ensure the freshness of the products.
“What is special with our strawberries is that we make our own fertilizer out of eggshells which is rich of calcium. Calcium is an important or essential element among plants and also, Joy Farm owns an “Ozone generator” which operates in all of our greenhouses. With this, we can control and supply the right amount of oxygen needed to grow strawberries indoor,” Mr. Choi added.
All strawberries are organic and will be available in November. Joy Farm packs are available in 330g (4packs/1.3 kg/box), 250g (8 packs/2.0kg/box) and 1.3kg (204 boxes/2.0kg) or based on customer’s request.
