RoK exports premium pears to Việt Nam

RoK exports premium pears to Việt Nam

The first shipment, weighing 16.2 tonnes and valued at about 60 million Korean won (roughly US$43,000), will be distributed to major Vietnamese cities such as HCM City and Hà Nội.

Illustrative image. Photo organicfood.vn

The Jeonbuk Agricultural Cooperative and Jeonju Horticultural Cooperative of the Republic of Korea (RoK) on September 8 held a ceremony to mark the shipment of the first batch of 2025-season pears to Việt Nam.

The first shipment, weighing 16.2 tonnes and valued at about 60 million Korean won (roughly US$43,000), will be distributed to major Vietnamese cities such as HCM City and Hà Nội.

Việt Nam’s climate is generally unsuitable for pear cultivation, except in certain northern mountainous provinces like Lai Châu, Lào Cai, Hà Giang and Cao Bằng, where cool weather and high altitudes allow small-scale production. However, locally grown pears are typically small in size, have a short harvest season of just two months, and are highly perishable without cold storage.

The Jeonbuk Agricultural Cooperative and Jeonju Horticultural Cooperative aim to position their pears as a “premium fruit” in the Vietnamese market. Exporters are highlighting the fruit’s superior sweetness, freshness, and strict safety standards to stand out in Southeast Asia, where cheap Chinese pears dominate.

Looking ahead, the cooperatives plan to expand their footprint in the region by exporting around 200 tonnes of pears to other countries such as Thailand and Indonesia.

Jeonju Horticultural Cooperative Chairman Lim Jong-gyeong emphasised that the shipment reflects the joint efforts of farmers and cooperatives. Despite fierce competition from Chinese fruit, Jeonbuk pears are expected to lead the Southeast Asian market thanks to their high quality and food safety compliance.

He also said that along with boosting exports, the cooperatives are committed to building sustainable agriculture and rural communities. 

Bizhub