Korea’s top export pear: the Naju Pear

When it is late fall in South-Korea, in the Naju area it is time to harvest the golden-colored pears. In Korea one mainly finds the round and crispy Singo. These pears are renowned for their high quality, so it is unsurprising that Korean Singo pears are actively exported to the US and over thirty other countries.

To many Koreans, Naju City in the South Jeolla Province is the first thing that comes to their minds when they think of pears. As a result of ideal weather conditions, geographical advantages, a long history of cultivation and excellent technology, Naju pears have a high sugar content and a lot of juice.

Their success is based on intense quality control. The small-sized pears with the high sugar content are selected, in accordance with the preferences of overseas consumers. There also are regular cultivation trainings for farmers to ensure the production of pears of standardized quality, as mentioned in a kfoodstory.com report.

As a result of these efforts, the Naju Pear Agricultural Cooperative Association has been able to extend its markets to more countries than any other pear producer in Korea. Bae Min-ho, managing director of the association, says with pride: “We are shipping pears not only to the mainland US and Taiwan, which are the main importers of Korean pears, but also to Vietnam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Hawaii, Denmark, Australia, and New Zealand.”