Domestic Mandarin 'Winter Prince' Makes Debut in Market on the 10th

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] The Rural Development Administration announced that the domestically developed citrus variety ‘Winter Prince’ will make its market debut on the 10th. Approximately 4 tons of ‘Winter Prince’ produced by three farms that trialed the variety in 2017 will be supplied to consumers through large stores (about 30 E-mart branches) after going through the sorting process of the Jeju Citrus Agricultural Cooperative.

Developed by the Rural Development Administration in 2016, ‘Winter Prince’ is a new variety that combines the early ripening characteristics of Onju mandarins and the late ripening traits of hybrid citrus. It is rich in juice and has soft flesh like Onju mandarins, but has a higher sugar content (12.5?13.5 Brix) and moderate acidity (acid content 1.0?1.2%) compared to the similarly timed hybrid citrus ‘Hwanggeumhyang’.

Additionally, it is seedless and has easily peelable skin, which is expected to increase consumer preference, making it a promising variety to lead the winter fruit market. From a cultivation perspective, it is thornless, making management easier, and its vigorous growth allows harvesting about one year earlier than other citrus varieties. It has been actively distributed since this year and is currently cultivated on 7 hectares by 41 farms. It has attracted significant interest from farmers, to the extent that a research association was formed for the first time for a domestically developed citrus variety.

Hyun Jaeuk, Director of the Citrus Research Institute at the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science under the Rural Development Administration, stated, "‘Winter Prince’ has sufficient competitiveness in taste and consumer convenience among hybrid citrus varieties shipped in December," adding, "We will set an example for the distribution of domestic varieties through the market establishment of ‘Winter Prince.’"

The Citrus Research Institute of the Rural Development Administration, centered on the Citrus Research Group (led by Hyun Jaeuk), launched in May this year in collaboration with universities, agricultural technology institutes, agricultural technology centers, industries, and citrus cooperatives, is accelerating efforts in ▲domestic variety distribution ▲distribution network expansion ▲branding.

Currently, the cultivation area of domestic citrus varieties accounts for 2.8%, which is lower than other fruit trees. However, with the recent increase in distribution of ‘Winter Prince,’ ‘Harye Josaeng,’ and ‘Minihyang,’ the proportion of newly planted domestic varieties rose from 8.6% last year to 13% this year. It is expected to reach 20% next year as the activities of the Citrus Research Group become more active.

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