With the Nationwide Spread of Fire Blight... Will Apple and Pear Prices Surge?

399 Affected Farms, 182.2ha Damaged Area
Apple Up 66.9% Compared to Average Year... Pear Up 42.6%

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] As fire blight disease spreads nationwide, red lights have turned on for apple and pear prices. Although the damage scale is currently smaller than last year, supply disruptions are inevitable if the situation worsens. This is why concerns about a sharp rise in fruit prices for this year's Chuseok holiday are already emerging.

According to the Rural Development Administration on the 17th, as of 6 p.m. on the 15th, fire blight disease has occurred in 399 farms nationwide. The affected area amounts to 182.2 hectares. Burial has been completed for 323 infected farms. Among them, 302 farms have been closed, and 21 farms have completed partial control measures. Control measures are ongoing for the remaining 76 farms. The number of farms affected by fire blight disease this year is 53.6% compared to the previous year, and the affected area is 46.1%. Last year, fire blight disease occurred in 744 farms, damaging an area of 394.4 hectares.

Fire blight disease mainly occurs in apples and pears. Leaves, flowers, branches, stems, and fruits turn reddish-brown or black as if burned and wither to death. There is no cure, and due to its strong infectivity, it is called "livestock foot-and-mouth disease of fruit trees" or "AIDS of fruit trees." Once infected, fruit trees within a 100-meter radius must be uprooted, burned, and buried to dispose of them. Additionally, because the spread is rapid, containment measures such as movement control are essential. In South Korea, it first occurred in May 2015 in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, and has recurred annually since then.

From the consumer's perspective, fruit prices are a concern. Apple and pear prices have already risen significantly. This is due to the longest rainy season in history last summer and consecutive typhoons in September, the harvest season, which greatly reduced the yield. According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), the retail price of 10 apples was 34,154 KRW as of the 16th. This is 50.1% higher than 22,751 KRW a year ago and 66.9% higher than the average price of 20,458 KRW. The retail price of 10 pears also rose to 48,384 KRW, up 43.9% from the previous year and 42.6% from the average.

The government currently states that there is no significant impact on fruit prices. A Rural Development Administration official said, "Although fire blight disease is not at last year's level, concerns remain high," adding, "Only about 1% of the total fruit cultivation area has been affected. We believe there will be no significant impact on production volume and prices for now."

However, if the spread of fire blight disease increases, fruit prices will inevitably soar. A large supermarket official said, "This year, fire blight disease occurred about a week earlier than last year," adding, "It is the time to predict apple and pear prices ahead of the holiday, but we need to monitor the situation a bit longer."

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