Korean-developed New Varieties of Agricultural Produce Boost Export Market Diversification

Sejong, 3 April 2026 — The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) will expand its support to ensure that Korean-developed new varieties of fresh agricultural produce can be widely supplied to farmers, as well as to promote their utilisation. In doing so, the ministry aims to further diversify export markets for new Korean varieties, while supporting their entry into premium markets.  

For the past three years, the ministry has been implementing a project to foster and promote the utilisation of Korean-developed new varieties of agricultural produce. Over the past two years, the ministry has demonstrated the feasibility and potential for new Korean varieties to enter overseas markets by providing support tailored to the characteristics of each country and agricultural commodity.  

This project targets key fresh export items—grapes, strawberries, pears, and paprika. The new varieties have been selected in consideration of their resilience to climate change and the preferences of overseas consumers. Above all, the project focuses on broadening the range of export varieties, extending the export period, and reducing royalty costs, thereby diversifying the export portfolio of fresh agricultural produce.  

In 2025, exports of new Korean varieties of grapes, strawberries, pears, and paprika amounted to USD 3.58 million (590 tonnes). For 2026, the ministry aims to achieve an increase of at least 10% in exports, compared to the previous year.  

To this end, the ministry will provide crop production manuals and training for leading export-oriented farmers, including young farmers, and will provide support with regard to the supply of seedlings, saplings, and agricultural materials, as well as product commercialisation and marketing. In addition, the ministry will provide support for farmers and export consortia in concluding supply agreements to ensure stable export growth. The ministry will also provide support for medium- and long-term research and development on new Korean varieties of agricultural produce.  

As for grapes, the ministry will expand the range of red-coloured new varieties (e.g. Glorista, Cocoball, Red Claret, Hongju Seedless, and Ruby Sweet), thereby extending the export period and offering a wider range of choices to overseas consumers. At the same time, the ministry plans to diversify export markets to the United States, Canada, Russia, and other countries. 

In 2025, strawberries recorded USD 72 million in exports, an increase of 4% from the previous year. As part of the efforts to maintain this steady growth in exports, the ministry plans to develop premium markets such as the United States, the Middle East, and other regions, by exporting high-quality new varieties (e.g. Honghee, Gold Berry, Pink Candy, and Arihyang). The ministry also plans to strengthen premium marketing through in-flight meal supply, promotions with hotel chains, and the launching of new varieties for overseas buyers.  

In the case of pears, where export growth has slowed due to climate change and other factors, the ministry plans to promote the cultivation of new early-maturing varieties—such as Hwasan, Shinhwa, and Changjo—that have earlier harvest periods than the main export variety “Shingo” and offer superior sweetness and texture. In doing so, the ministry aims to extend the export period and facilitate the entry of new Korean varieties into new markets such as Australia and Indonesia.  

Production of paprika in the Republic of Korea has thus far been highly dependent on foreign varieties. In response, the ministry will support the widespread adoption of new Korean varieties to reduce royalty burdens. These include K-MINI, Lea Red, Luna Red, Red Romang, Zeus, and Good Morning. The ministry will also strengthen support for these varieties to expand into other Asian markets such as Singapore and Vietnam by taking advantage of the strong initial export performance in the Philippines and the United States.