Do You Know the Mini Apple 'Rubies'? ... Yeongcheon, Gyeongbuk Farming Group Leads 'Production Complex'

Gyeongbuk Agricultural Research & Extension Services "Recently Gaining Great Popularity Among Young Consumers"
Yeongcheon Wins Grand Prize at Agricultural Production Complex Competition

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongwook Park] The Gyeongsangbuk-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services announced on the 4th that the small apple 'Rubies,' which can be eaten with the skin on, has recently gained great popularity among young consumers.

Developed by the Rural Development Administration and registered as a variety in 2017, 'Rubies' is about one-third the size of a regular apple (weighing around 80g), slightly larger than a standard ping-pong ball, making it perfect as a dessert.

Despite the clear preference for large apples in the fruit market, 'Rubies,' which can be eaten with the skin and is easy to consume, is gaining attention due to the increasing diversity and convenience in consumer preferences. Compared to apples shipped in late August or early September, it has higher sugar content and better firmness, resulting in strong room-temperature storability.

Currently, Rubies are cultivated on 81 hectares by 273 farms in the Gyeongbuk region. Although this area is very small compared to the total apple cultivation area, the Gyeongbuk Agricultural Research and Extension Services explained that this is to respond to the diversity of consumer preferences.

In particular, in Yeongcheon, the 'Rubies Farming Group' has been organized, with about 100 farms participating on 35 hectares. As a result of efforts to plan and distribute their own brand, they won the grand prize at the 2019 Best Quality Agricultural Products Production Complex competition. Here, the group sets quality standards through cultivation education and on-site consulting at the farming group level, enhancing brand image by focusing on high-quality production rather than high yield.

Choi Ki-yeon, director of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, stated, "We will do our best to lead the development and distribution of new varieties reflecting the increase in single-person households and the preferences of diverse consumer groups, and to provide education and consulting to farms introducing new varieties."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.