Kingberry, Maehyang, Pinkbell are most demanded varieties among premium strawberry varieties

Korean strawberry of Maehyang variety still dominates the demand for imported strawberry, complemented by niche variants Kingsberry and Pinkbell. Demand for imported berries has increased as locally grown strawberries from western Java cannot meet market expectations. Nonetheless, importers do not favor Seolhyang and Geumsil variety.

While imported variants are much superior in size, aroma, and taste/sweetness, price disparity of USD 2-3 per 0.25 kg for local ones versus USD 6 per 0.25 kg for imported ones causes importers to become exceptionally selective in buying imported Korean strawberries. Major deciding factors are L size, a pleasing aroma, sweet taste, catchy packaging/labeling, one deck pack, and the capability to include very seasonal variants such as Kingsberry and Pinkbell. Meanwhile, Kingsberry and Pinkbell can fetch a fantastic price of USD 7 per 2 pcs and USD 40 per 0.5 kg, slowly becoming a symbol of luxury for middle and upper-class consumers to buy as gifts.