Fruit imports have risen sharply in recent years, riding on growing demand for variety mainly among young people.
As a result, local farmers have had a hard time struggling to protect their market share.
Annual cherry imports tripled to 13,359 tons last year from 4,982 tons three years ago. Mango imports increased more than five times to 10,599 tons in 2014 from 1,892 in 2011, grapefruit imports increased to 10,767 tons from 6,739, while pomegranate imports rose to 10,767 tons from 6,739.
Data released by the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation and Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI) shows that when fruit imports went up 10 percent between 2011 and 2014, it led to a 0.5-1 percent price drop for local fruit, meaning the increase in foreign fruits lowered demand for local products.
"Imported cherries have the effect of replacing the consumption of locally produced watermelons, melons and grapes in the spring and summertime," a KREI official said. "Likewise, bananas and oranges imported in winter have slowed the demand for pears, sweet persimmons, apples and tangerines."
The 10 percent rise in cherry imports in summer brought a 0.4 percent drop in grape prices and 0.3 percent drop in melon prices.
Banana imports during winter also contributed to the 0.5 percent price fall in pears and 1 percent drop in sweet persimmon prices.
In particular, banana imports have been the major culprit, affecting the lower demand for local fruits all year, because they caused a 0.7 price drop in watermelons in spring, a 0.6 percent drop in grapes in summer and 0.8 percent drop in apples in autumn, the institute said.
"The increased foreign fruits affect the demand for other local fruits," the official said. "In the meantime, the farmers will only suffer."
Foreign fruits are increasing their presence thanks to rising popularity among younger generations.
In a separate survey of 2,000 people last year, the agricultural research institute found the preference for imported fruits is especially high among young people.
Some 34 percent of people in their 20s responded that they prefer imported fruits, while 30 percent of those in their 30s also said so, over the average preference of 26.3 percent among those of all ages.
