Heatwaves have driven up the price of "big apples" ... the price difference between premium and mid-low grade apples is the largest ever.

Published 2025년 10월 5일

Tridge summary

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Yoon-gu = The price difference between premium and lower-grade apples was the largest ever last month as the supply of large apples decreased.

According to the Agricultural Monitoring Center of the Korea Rural Economic Institute on the 5th, the wholesale price of 10 kg of Hongro (premium) apples at Garak Market last month was 64,900 won, up 31.9% from last year.

The supply increased by 18.8%, but prices rose due to the influence of the Chuseok holiday peak season.

In particular, the production of large apples decreased due to the summer heatwave, causing prices to surge.

Therefore, the price difference between premium and lower-grade apples, which are mainly used for offerings and gifts, was 52,476 won, the largest ever, and 2.6 times that of last year (21,691 won). Last year, the price difference between premium and lower-grade apples was 47,358 won.

For example, on the 30th of last month, a 10 kg box of premium Hongro apples at Garak Market was 103,804 won, double the 51,820 won for upper-grade apples and 3.8 times the 27,570 won for middle-grade apples.

The wholesale price of 15 kg of Singo (premium) pears was 47,000 won, down 4.0% from last year. The supply increased by 14.5%.

Pear growth was delayed compared to last year due to low-temperature damage and high summer temperatures, but the occurrence of diseases and pests decreased.

The wholesale price of 2 kg of Shine Muscat grapes was 9,500 won, down 16.7% from last year. The price of 3 kg of Campbell Early was 14,800 won, down 10.7%, and the price of Geobong was 153,000 won per 2 kg, down 4.3%.

The Rural Economic Research Institute forecast that the prices of apples (Fuji), pears (Singo), and grapes (Shine Muscat) will be lower this month compared to last year.

The institute also observed that this year's apple production will be similar to last year's, while pear production will increase.

Original content

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Yoon-gu = The price difference between premium and lower-grade apples was the largest ever last month as the supply of large apples decreased. According to the Agricultural Monitoring Center of the Korea Rural Economic Institute on the 5th, the wholesale price of 10 kg of Hongro (premium) apples at Garak Market last month was 64,900 won, up 31.9% from last year. Although the supply increased by 18.8%, the price rose due to the influence of the Chuseok holiday peak season. In particular, the production of large apples decreased due to the summer heatwave, causing prices to surge. Therefore, the price difference between premium and lower-grade apples, which are mainly used for offerings and gifts, was 52,476 won, the highest ever, and 2.6 times that of last year 2022 (21,691 won). Last year, the price difference between premium and lower-grade apples was 47,358 won. For example, on the 30th of last month, a 10 kg box of Hongro 'premium' apples at ...
Source: Yna

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