All-out response to stabilize fruit production in 2025!

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Minister Song Mei-ryeong, hereinafter referred to as the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) held the 1st Fruit Industry Development Forum, where related organizations including the Rural Development Administration, Nonghyup Economic Holdings, the National Federation of Fruit Farmers’ Cooperatives, and pear self-help groups attended to review the progress of the “Measures to Enhance Fruit Industry Competitiveness in Response to Climate Change (2024-2030)” established in April 2024 and discuss measures to stabilize fruit production this year.

  This forum discussed ways to stabilize fruit production and respond to the flowering period this year. The average temperature in the second week of March was 5.8℃, and the growth of major fruit trees is currently good. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs decided to promote cold damage mitigation nutrients, pollen support, and farm guidance for early growth management in 2025. Cold damage mitigation nutrients will be supplied at a discount to farms participating in the apple and pear fruit supply stabilization project, and a total of 1.23 billion won (47,262 ha) will be supported through the Rural Development Administration and Nonghyup Economic Holdings, and farm guidance for timely spraying will also be provided. For pears, which have a higher rate of artificial pollination than other fruits, pollen purchase support will be provided to self-help fund member farms. This support is expected to reduce the burden on farms and contribute to stable fruit set.

  Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs established the “Measures to Enhance Competitiveness of the Fruit Industry in Response to Climate Change (2024-2030)” in April 2024 to prepare for the situation in which the impact of abnormal weather such as cold damage and hail, outbreaks of pests and diseases, and changes in suitable cultivation areas due to climate change on fruit production and supply and demand is gradually increasing, and is implementing its key tasks without a hitch.

  First, through the “2024 Apple Peace of Mind Project,” we have proactively responded to potential disasters, diseases, and pests that could occur before the harvest season, such as early installation of disaster prevention facilities, advance supply of chemicals, and strengthening of technical guidance to farmers, centered on the public-private joint growth management council, and we are proactively managing the growth of horticultural agricultural products this year as well. In addition, starting this year, we have begun creating a smart orchard specialized complex centered on disaster-resistant and early-maturing varieties equipped with disaster prevention facilities ^. The budget for disaster prevention facilities has been increased by KRW 4 billion compared to the previous year, and a new budget has been secured to install mobile hot air blowers at agricultural machinery rental businesses. A budget of KRW 234 billion (up 22.2% year-on-year) has been organized and is currently being executed for measures such as the introduction of new designated shipments to stabilize the supply and demand of orchards and the expansion of disease-free seedling infrastructure.

  * ’25 years, a total of 4 locations: Gangwon Yanggu (38ha), Jeollabuk Jangsu (17ha), Gyeongbuk Pohang (20ha), Gyeongnam Geochang (22ha)

  Shin Ji-young, director of the Horticultural Management Division at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, “The impact of abnormal weather on horticultural products, including fruits, is expected to gradually increase, and we will spare no effort and investment to steadily implement the main tasks of the “Measures to Enhance the Competitiveness of the Fruit Industry” so that we can stabilize fruit production and supply.” She added, “We will do our best to stabilize production and manage growth this year as well so that the public can enjoy domestically produced fruits with peace of mind.”