[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Emart is launching sales of ‘Okcheon Tyvek Peaches,’ which maintain high sugar content even during the rainy season.
Starting from the 6th, Emart will sell ‘Okcheon Tyvek Peaches’ nationwide at Emart stores for 14,900 KRW per box containing 5 to 7 peaches. The sales are expected to continue for about three weeks, with approximately 4,000 boxes, totaling around 70 tons, supplied for sale.
Generally, when there is heavy rain, fruit trees absorb moisture, which is then transferred to the fruit, causing the sugar content to drop compared to usual. In contrast, Tyvek peaches maintain high sugar content even during the rainy season. This is because Tyvek is installed under the fruit trees one week before harvest, the most critical period for fruit sugar formation, to suppress moisture absorption.
Tyvek is a synthetic high-density polyethylene fiber developed by DuPont in the United States that allows air to pass through while blocking moisture. Additionally, Tyvek works on a principle similar to a reflector, evenly distributing sunlight to the underside of the fruit where light does not easily reach, increasing sunlight exposure, which raises the peach’s sugar content and enhances its color and gloss.
In fact, Tyvek peaches reduce moisture absorption, resulting in sugar content about 1 to 1.5 Brix higher than regular peaches. The average sugar content of peaches sold at Emart is around 11 Brix, while Tyvek peaches average above 12 Brix.
Okcheon Nonghyup partnered with about 100 Nonghyup member farms this year to introduce Tyvek cultivation technology to all peach farms. This was to cultivate peaches with higher sugar content as the popularity of high-sugar fruits continues to rise.
Especially this year, with a longer rainy season than usual, the advantages of the Tyvek farming method shone. While fruit farmers face difficulties maintaining sugar content and freshness due to rain, Tyvek peaches prevent water accumulation, making it easier to maintain sugar content compared to other peaches during the rainy season.
Meanwhile, the ‘Tyvek Plums’ sold by Emart in July saw sales of about 60,000 packs over one month, with sales increasing by approximately 30% compared to the same period last year. Tyvek plum sales accounted for about 15% of total plum sales in July.
Generally, plums sold at Emart have a sugar content around 11 Brix, but Tyvek plums have about 12 Brix. Although Tyvek plums are about 20% more expensive than regular plums, consumers seeking higher sugar content continue to increase steadily.
Lee Jinpyo, Emart’s fruit buyer, said, “With the long rainy season expected this year, we planned to sell Tyvek peaches to offer consumers tastier fruit,” adding, “As the popularity of high-sugar fruits continues to grow, we plan to continuously introduce new fruits that consumers have not yet experienced.”
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