Market Kurly "Humid Weather Boosts Summer Fruit Popularity... Interest in Small Packs and New Varieties"

Melon from Market Kurly (Photo by Market Kurly).

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] Market Kurly announced on the 15th that an analysis of fruit sales from April to July 13 this year showed a significant increase in the sales volume of summer fruits such as peaches, watermelons, and Korean melons compared to previous years.

This is attributed to the early arrival of hot weather with maximum temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius in April and May, along with frequent rain, resulting in consistently humid conditions that increased demand for summer fruits to cool down the heat.

Summer fruits such as watermelons, peaches, Korean melons, and melons are in season from June to July. However, due to the early heat, shipments of related products started earlier, and customer demand also increased, leading to an early rise in sales. In April this year, sales of melons and watermelons increased by 264% and 219% respectively compared to the same month last year, and peaches increased by 540% in May. For Korean melons, sales rose by 121% in June and 154% in July compared to the same months last year, gaining even more popularity. Looking at the entire second quarter, Korean melons increased by 138% year-on-year, followed by watermelons with a 110% increase.

Regarding watermelons, a representative summer fruit, consumers preferred smaller watermelons compared to last year. Market Kurly stated, "Last year, large watermelons weighing 7 to 8 kg or more accounted for the highest proportion of total sales at 36%, but this year, sales of relatively smaller watermelons weighing 5 to 6 kg increased by 311% compared to last year, accounting for 64% of total sales."

Peaches were led in popularity by the new variety called 'Sinbi Peach.' Sinbi Peach is a new variety with a firm exterior like a nectarine and white, soft flesh like a white peach. It has rapidly risen as a popular summer fruit recently through word of mouth on social media, resulting in a 662% increase in sales compared to last year. The proportion of Sinbi Peach in total peach sales also jumped from 11% last year to 52% this year.

Last year, the Honey One Melon produced only in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, was popular, but this year, Musk Melon with soft flesh and Seji Melon, a specialty product from the Naju region, are selling well in that order. The cut melon, first launched last year, saw a 106% increase in sales compared to the previous year, driven by customers' high preference for conveniently enjoying melons. For Korean melons, sales of bagged Korean melons sold individually increased by 115% compared to last year.

Market Kurly is holding a 'Seasonal Fruit Special Exhibition' until the 22nd. About 50 types of fruits, from summer representatives such as Korean melons, watermelons, grapes, and plums to tropical fruits like apple mangoes, mangosteens, and dragon fruits, as well as related products such as juicers, blenders, and cleaners, are offered with discounts of up to 35%.

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