"Child Said They Wanted to Eat Just One Pack"... Will the Golden Strawberry Trend Continue This Year?

Last Month 20-25% More Expensive Than Previous Year
Impact of Rural Aging and Decreased Cultivated Area
Strawberry Price Expected to Decline in Future

Strawberries are being sold at the Seoul Emart Guro branch.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chunhan] "My child kept singing that they wanted to eat strawberries, so I was going to buy some, but they are still too expensive. I was debating whether to buy them or not, but I reluctantly put just one pack in the cart."

Strawberries, which have become a representative winter fruit, remain as expensive as gold this year, following last year. This is largely due to reduced cultivation area caused by rural aging and a shortage of foreign workers due to COVID-19.

On the afternoon of the 5th at Emart Guro branch in Seoul, housewife Choi said, "Strawberries have always been expensive around this time, but with the recent rise in prices, I don't know when they will come down. I hope the day comes soon when we can enjoy seasonal fruits without worry."

Currently, a pack of strawberries (500g) is sold for 10,000 to 15,000 won at large supermarkets. Each company’s merchandise planners (MDs) traveled nationwide in September and October to find farms with early strawberry production and made pre-contracts to lower product prices. Additionally, various discount events have been planned to supply strawberries at more affordable prices. In the future, during the flowerbed replacement period when strawberry supply decreases, they plan to stabilize prices by operating production areas alternately.

Every December, strawberry prices rise due to demand for year-end cakes and parties, then gradually fall after Christmas. For now, the high strawberry prices are causing concern among small business owners.

Kim, who runs a bakery, said, "Pricing strawberry fresh cream cakes is a headache. Flour, sugar, and packaging materials have all gone up. I can't reduce the amount of fruit either, so it's really stressful."

Strawberries are displayed at the fruit section of E-Mart Guro branch in Seoul.

According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) Agricultural Products Distribution Information, as of the 1st of this month, the wholesale price of strawberries (2kg) averaged 28,620 won. This is slightly higher than the average price of 27,513 won and the price of 28,392 won a year ago. Retail prices have also been rising annually. The retail price of strawberries (100g) in December was recorded as 1,667 won in 2019, 1,787 won in 2020, and 2,200 won in 2021.

According to Emart, last month’s strawberry prices were on average 20-25% higher than the previous year. This is because farmers delayed the transplanting (properly planting seedlings in the field) period to prevent heat damage during the growing season, resulting in a 17% decrease in transplanting area as of August compared to last year, and the volume of strawberries brought to market last month decreased by 28% compared to a year ago.

Strawberry prices are expected to gradually stabilize. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs expects prices to decrease as damage from diseases and pests is less than last year and farms that delayed transplanting begin shipping. However, due to sudden cold weather earlier this month, the increase in production volume is expected to be somewhat moderate.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated, "Production volume in December this year is expected to increase compared to last year, and retail prices are expected to fall below last year’s 2,200 won per 100g."

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