Mujugun Makes Every Effort to Maintain Freshness of Fuji (Adverb) Apples

Published 08 Oct.2021 11:50(KST)

Full-Scale Launch of Freshness Preservative (1-MCP) Support Project

Mujugun Makes Every Effort to Maintain Freshness of Fuji (Adverb) Apples

[Muju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] Muju County announced on the 8th that it will promote a freshness preservative (1-MCP) support project to maintain the quality and improve the storability of Fuji (Busa) apples.

According to the county, the freshness preservative (1-MCP) is a substance registered and commercialized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2002. It is harmless to humans and leaves no residue on fruits, making it an effective and safe eco-friendly freshness maintenance agent.

In particular, when the freshness preservative (1-MCP) is applied in cold storage, it prevents the ripening and aging of apple tissues, providing a twofold effect of maintaining both marketability and storability.

Accordingly, Muju County has secured a project budget of 140 million KRW (including 70 million KRW of county funds) this year and plans to begin full support for farmers starting in November.

Apples treated with the freshness preservative can be stored and sold from March to June 2022.

The county expects that with the support of the freshness preservative (1-MCP) project, which allows adjustment of the shipping time of Muju Fuji apples known for their excellent taste and quality, consumers will be able to enjoy fresh Muju Fuji apples until next summer.

Additionally, the long-term storage of apples enables year-round supply of the fruit, enhancing consumer satisfaction and preventing oversupply during the apple harvest season, which in turn benefits farmers' income.

A county official said, “We are conducting the freshness preservative project to maintain freshness and establish a production base for Fuji apples with good taste and quality so that Muju’s premium apples can be recognized by many domestic consumers,” adding, “It will also greatly contribute to increasing farmers' income.”