The day will come when there will be no more apple trees on the Korean Peninsula... What kind of fruit will we eat in the future? - Korean Report

Olive trees, a typical plant in the Mediterranean climate, have borne fruit in Jeju Island, southwest of the Korean peninsula. And they have done so in a natural environment, not in a warm greenhouse.
Although there are only a few dozen households, the number of farmers growing olive trees is gradually increasing, and the day is fast approaching when people in Korea will be able to take commemorative photos in an olive orchard.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, there is a 60% chance that this summer will be hotter than last year.
The average monthly temperature is expected to exceed 10 degrees for the next month, and it is predicted that the maximum temperature will reach 40 degrees, as was the case last year.
There is a bleak outlook that apples will only be able to be grown in the high mountain areas of Gangwon Province. Before last year's Lunar New Year, the price of an apple was 10,000 won (about 1,008 yen) and the price of a pear was 10,000 won (about 1,000 yen).
The country has been hit by the "fruitflation" that has seen prices soar to 12,000 won (US$12.99), but it is likely that price surges for common fruits such as apples and pears will become commonplace.
The same goes for vegetables like Chinese cabbage and radishes. So what should we eat in the future? The Rural Development Agency's Global Warming Agricultural Research Institute is investigating how the climate changes as we approach a subtropical climate.
We are researching alternative fruits and vegetables that can be grown on the Korean Peninsula and conducting trial cultivation. We have selected 10 subtropical fruits and vegetables and are providing intensive support to ensure that they can be cultivated smoothly in Korea.
This is to diversify food supplies and respond to food crises. In the case of fruit, varieties of mangoes, passion fruits, bananas, papayas, olives, etc. are cultivated and evaluated for their adaptability to the climate and cultivated.
The company is currently testing and researching the technology. In 2014, about 10,000 tons of mangoes were imported, but imports are expected to increase to about 27,000 tons in 2023 and to about 31,000 tons by October 2024.
It is so popular in Korea that over 100,000 tons are imported. However, as we cannot rely solely on imports, the research institute is taking the lead in expanding domestic cultivation of apple mangoes.
A researcher from the institute said, "The reason imported mangoes taste different from those from Southeast Asia is because they are soaked in 60 degree water or steamed before import to prevent damage from pests."
"Apple mangoes grown in Korea do not require such a process, and the taste is differentiated, so if they become recognized as a luxury fruit and a gift fruit, it will contribute to increasing farmers' incomes."
In fact, the number of farmers growing mangoes continues to grow. According to the institute, the area cultivated for the subtropical fruit is expected to grow from 117 hectares in 2018 to 221 hectares in 2023, and the number of farmers cultivating mangoes is expected to grow by 100.
The number of households increased from 426 to 707 during the same period. Of these, the largest number of households were mango farmers with 319 households, passion fruit farmers with 144 households, banana farmers with 136 households, and so on.
There are 67 farm households that grow them. As for subtropical vegetables, there are 260 farm households that grow bitter melon, which is famous as the "secret to longevity in the Okinawa region," accounting for about 40% of the total (644 farm households).
The raw material, turmeric, is being cultivated by 177 households. New varieties are being developed at the research institute. Apple mangoes are varieties like Alphonso and Pickering that have high sugar content and can be cultivated over a wide harvest period.
They are currently trial-growing new varieties. They are also developing cultivation techniques that will reduce disease and pests and ensure stable production. However, there are some hurdles that must be overcome before they can immediately significantly increase the number of farmers cultivating the crop.
Most varieties can only be grown in greenhouses, so there are restrictions and it is necessary to cut down on heating costs. An official from the institute said, "If the temperature on the Korean Peninsula rises further, existing crops will be destroyed.
"We are currently developing new varieties and technologies in preparation for a time when the cultivation areas for cucumbers will decrease," he said, adding, "When the day comes when temperatures rise and cucumbers can be cultivated in a natural environment rather than in greenhouses, they will be available at low prices like apples and pears.
"You'll be able to taste subtropical fruits and vegetables," he said. "Climate change is a double-edged sword," he said. "We do feel a sense of crisis, but we're working to turn it into a positive opportunity."
"It's a good idea to do that," he added.