In South Korea, many experts are suggesting the need to develop new varieties of domestic produce, now new varieties of grapes and apples (like the Shine Muscat and the Envy) are gaining popularity in the fruit markets of the Asian republic.
According to South Korean online shopping mall ‘Gmarket’, sales of Shine Muscat grapes between September 4 and December 3 this year were up 760 percent compared to the same period last year. Sales of Envy apples also rose by 228 percent.
Compared to Campbell and Kyoho grapes, which have seeds and skins that are difficult to eat, Shine Muscats are sweeter, larger, and easier to eat. Shine Muscat grapes were first developed in Japan in 2006, and were later introduced to South Korea in 2015. South Korea is not required to pay Japan any royalties to grow Shine Muscats, since Japan did not register the variety in South Korea in the six years after it was first developed.
Envy apples, first developed in New Zealand, are also spreading throughout South Korea through promotions at large malls. Envy apples are exclusively produced by one South Korean company, and all production is contract-based.
