Subtropical Fruit 'Apple Mango' ... Shipment from Gimhae

Fostering Key Crops for Climate Change Response Since 2018

Mr. Kim Kwang-ha, who shipped apple mangoes from Gimhae City, is happily holding a mango. (Photo by Gimhae City)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kang Sharon] Gimhae City, Gyeongnam Province, announced on the 3rd that it will begin full-scale shipment of apple mangoes, a new high-income crop responding to climate change.

Apple mangoes are a representative subtropical fruit that has recently gained popularity among consumers due to their red skin and firm flesh, which make them delicious.

The city's Agricultural Technology Center has invested 345 million KRW since 2018 to promote apple mango cultivation as an alternative crop in response to climate change. As a result, the cultivation area has expanded to 3.6 hectares, accounting for 30% of the province's total cultivation area, establishing it as a representative crop.

Kim Gwangha (57), who has started harvesting, said, "It was difficult at first due to lack of information and high costs, but domestic apple mangoes are harvested when ripe, so they have better aroma and sweetness, giving us confidence in competing with imported mangoes. Seeing the luscious apple mangoes ready for shipment naturally gives me strength."

Kim Sangjin, director of the Agricultural Technology Center, stated, "Our city maintains a warm climate even in winter, giving us a competitive edge in cultivating subtropical crops. We plan to accelerate the development of new high-income crops responding to climate change by taking advantage of cost savings in production, such as reduced heating expenses during winter."