Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh plum in South Korea is primarily a domestically produced summer stone fruit supplied from commercial orchards, with production concentrated in parts of Gyeongsangbuk-do. A late-season cultivar highlight is 'Chuhui', which the Rural Development Administration (RDA) reports accounts for about one-quarter of national plum cultivation area (2024 basis) and is widely grown in Uiseong, Gimcheon, and Yeongcheon. Heatwaves are a critical quality-disruption risk for late-season plums, with RDA warning of physiological disorders such as internal browning and texture deterioration under prolonged extreme heat. International trade recorded under HS 080940 is small in UN Comtrade/WITS data for 2023, indicating that the market is largely domestic in volume terms and that any export activity is niche.
Market RoleDomestic producer market with limited recorded trade
Domestic RoleSeasonal domestic fresh fruit market with regional production hubs and cultivar-based marketing (early/mid/late season).
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
SeasonalityDomestic supply is seasonal (summer stone-fruit harvest window), with cultivar timing differences; late-season cultivars are exposed to late-summer heat risk in producing regions.
Specification
Primary VarietyChuhui
Secondary Variety- Daeseok (Daeseokjosaeng)
- Formosa
Physical Attributes- Heatwave-related physiological disorders are a key quality risk for late-season plums (e.g., internal browning and texture deterioration reported by RDA for 'Chuhui' under prolonged extreme heat).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Orchard harvest in producing counties → on-farm/collection grading and packing → domestic wholesale/retail distribution → consumer retail
Risks
Climate HighProlonged heatwaves can trigger physiological disorders and quality deterioration in late-season Korean plums (RDA highlights risks for 'Chuhui' including internal browning and texture issues), potentially reducing marketable volume and disrupting supply programs.Apply heat/solar stress countermeasures emphasized by RDA (e.g., shading/cover strategies, fine-mist cooling where used, and harvest-timing adjustments) and diversify sourcing across producing counties to reduce single-region exposure.
Regulatory Compliance MediumKorea’s plant quarantine controls can restrict or prohibit imports of certain fresh fruits/plant materials, and non-compliance (e.g., missing phytosanitary certificate or prohibited contamination such as soil) can lead to detention, rejection, or other quarantine measures.Confirm commodity-specific import conditions with the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (QIA/APQA) import requirements, ensure compliant phytosanitary certification, and use pre-shipment cleanliness controls to prevent soil/pest presence.
Trade Data Gap LowUN Comtrade/WITS shows very small HS 080940 import volumes for Korea in 2023; this may reflect strict quarantine access, alternative coding, or reporting limitations, creating uncertainty if using HS 080940 alone to size the import market.Cross-check with Korean Customs/Statistics Korea datasets and verify HS code mapping and product scope (fresh vs. dried/processed plum products) before making sourcing or market-entry decisions.
FAQ
Which Korean regions are highlighted as key producing areas for the late-season plum cultivar 'Chuhui'?The Rural Development Administration (RDA) highlights Gyeongsangbuk-do’s Uiseong, Gimcheon, and Yeongcheon as major producing areas for 'Chuhui'.
What is the most critical climate risk for Korean fresh plums during late-summer heatwaves?RDA warns that prolonged heat can cause physiological disorders and quality loss in late-season plums such as 'Chuhui', including internal browning and texture deterioration. Suggested countermeasures include heat/solar stress management (e.g., shading, fine-mist cooling where used) and harvest-timing adjustments.
Does South Korea import or export meaningful volumes of fresh plums in UN Comtrade (HS 080940)?In World Bank WITS (UN Comtrade) for HS 080940 in 2023, South Korea shows very small imports (18 kg) and small exports (1,556 kg) to a handful of destinations. This indicates trade is niche in that HS code and year, and it is best interpreted alongside quarantine access conditions and any alternative coding for related products.