Securing stable production volume is a necessary condition for expanding agricultural exports. Even if you develop sales channels and do good marketing, if a sufficient quantity is not produced domestically, it is "all for nothing."
Along with domestically grown strawberries represented by Seolhyang, pears are Korean produce regarded as luxury goods in the global market. Overseas buyers even say, "We can sell as much as you send us, so just secure enough volume."
However, last spring's unusual cold snap caused frost damage, sharply reducing the autumn pear harvest. Apples were in a similar situation. As domestic supply plunged, pear and apple prices surged. The term "appleflation" even emerged. This drop in production led to a slowdown in exports.
Kim Gil-dong, CEO of Korea Pear Export Union Co., whom we met at the FFA held at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC) in Australia, said, "A major U.S. buyer even requested, 'We can absorb as much volume as you can send, so please send as much as possible,' showing strong demand, but last year the harvest was poor and we lacked volume to ship," adding, "It is fortunate that this year's crop seems relatively decent."
◇ Pear exports last year at the lowest level since statistics began
How much did pear exports fall last year. According to the export-import trade statistics of the Korea Customs Service, exports of domestic pears in 2024 totaled $58.83 million, down 21% from the previous year ($74.51 million). Last year's pear export value was the lowest since 2015.
Export volume also fell to 16,679 tons last year, down 31.7% from the previous year (24,430 tons). It was the first time since related statistics were compiled in 2013 that pear export volume failed to exceed 20,000 tons.
Last year, starting with frost damage early in the year, there were also cases of sunburn and fruit cracking in summer. As domestic distribution volume fell short, pear prices surged, and securing export volume was not easy. An official at the Korea Pear Export Union said, "Pears harvested in the fall are exported through early the following year, but in 2024 it was difficult to secure volume, so export stocks ran out before the year ended."
Export volume bound for Australia, an emerging market, also plunged. Last year, pear exports to Australia came to only 48,000 tons. The 82,000 tons recorded in 2023 was nearly halved in just one year.
◇ Pear harvest recovers this year… rising farm shipping needs should be met through exports
Still, it is fortunate that pear output this year is expected to return to normal levels. In its recently published Agriculture Outlook - Fruit, Oct. 2025 issue, the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI) projected this year's pear production at 203,000 tons, up 13.6% from a year earlier. The pear cultivation area is 9,361 hectares (ha, 1 ha = 10,000㎡), down 0.6% from a year earlier, but yield per 10 ares (a, 1a = 100㎡) is expected to rise 14.3% year over year to 2,166 kilograms. Compared with a normal year, this year's pear production is also forecast to increase by 6.2%.
However, as in last year, the proportion of "nonstandard" fruit, so-called misshapen pears, is expected to be higher than usual due to spring cold damage. A KREI official said, "Due to the heat wave that continued from July, some farms suffered fruit cracking and sunburn," adding, "Size and shape are weaker than last year, but the sugar content is good."
Already last month, market arrivals of Shingo pears were tallied to have increased 14.5% year over year. As supply increases, pear prices are trending down. This month, the wholesale price of Shingo pears (at Garak Market) is 40,000 won per 15 kilograms, down 21.4% from the previous year (50,900 won).
However, this year's pears are expected to store worse than usual. Frequent rain during harvest due to the "autumn rainy season" is causing quality issues such as skin blemishes. A KREI official said, "During the heat wave, spider mites and scale insects occurred more than last year. There was also damage from pests such as the peach twig borer," adding, "Farms that were lax in control may see a lot of decay during distribution and storage."
To prevent such decay, more farms are inclined to ship pears early. With domestic demand unlikely to rise suddenly, the export market is drawing attention as a channel that can absorb early shipments.
◇ New varieties needed to respond to climate change… market diversification also a task
Currently, farms are responding by adjusting harvest timing to match climate change. An official at the Rural Development Administration said, "For Shingo, the main pear variety, harvest should be split into two to four rounds to prevent heat damage," adding, "Since detailed weather by region, orchard location, and the growth and management status of pear trees differ, you should periodically check fruit maturity from early September so you do not miss the harvest window."
In the long term, the task is to breed varieties resistant to heat waves and infectious diseases. An official at the Rural Development Administration said, "Rapid climate change (such as high-temperature damage during the growing season) is destabilizing growth, making it difficult to secure export volume and stabilize quality," adding, "Securing diverse varieties and establishing a stable year-round export system will enhance export competitiveness."
In particular, our main variety, Shingo, is also a variety developed in Japan. The Rural Development Administration is currently focusing on Manhwang as a main export variety. Developed in 2006, Manhwang is a late-maturing variety that can be harvested in Naju in mid- to late October. Its sugar content is 14.0 degrees Brix (°Bx), and its quality can be maintained for eight weeks at room temperature and more than seven months under cold storage, making it suitable for export.
CEO Kim said, "Just as Japan dominated the premium market with an upscale strategy, our produce must also be high quality," adding, "Recently, the quality of Chinese pears has improved quite a bit. We need an overwhelming, super-gap level of quality to beat them."
Kim added, "With more than 50% of our pear exports concentrated in the United States, the U.S. tariff barrier is also a challenge to overcome," adding, "We need to develop diverse markets including Australia, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Europe."
Some also say export promotions and local marketing should be pursued aggressively. An official at an Australian importer said, "Every time we run a promotion at local supermarkets, many people say, 'I tried Korean pears for the first time, and they are so appealing,'" adding, "We should actively promote Korean pears through overseas food expos and the like. I also think it is a good idea to hold promotional events for Korean fruits such as pears targeting foreigners entering Korea through Incheon Airport."
☞ Joint project: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs · Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI) · ChosunBiz