Lotte Mart Launches Domestic Cultivar Sales Project... Selling 'Gamhong Apples' from Mungyeong, Gyeongbuk

Mungyeong Gamhong Apple, a domestically cultivated variety. (Photo by Lotte Mart)

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Lotte Mart will begin selling ‘Hwanggeum Dangdo Mungyeong Gamhong Apples’ at all stores nationwide starting on the 22nd.

The ‘Gamhong Apple’ is a native Korean variety developed as a domestic breed in a market dominated by imported apple varieties. However, due to cultivation difficulties, farmers have been reluctant to grow it, preventing its widespread cultivation across the country.

Compared to common varieties like the widely available Busa apple, the Gamhong apple has a less attractive appearance and a dark reddish color, resulting in relatively low public recognition. However, it is renowned for its exceptional flavor, characterized by a unique balance of high sweetness and tartness.

The Gamhong apple, a domestic variety from Mungyeong, Gyeongbuk Province, is produced as a high-quality apple through systematic cultivation technology education and management provided to local farmers by the Mungyeong Gamhong Apple Cultivation Research Association, supported fully by Mungyeong City. Currently, about 350 hectares are under cultivation, with plans to expand to 400 hectares by 2022 through pilot projects and subsidy programs.

In 2019, Lotte Mart collaborated with Mungyeong Nonghyup to launch about 20 tons under Lotte Mart’s premium brand ‘Hwanggeum Dangdo,’ which sold out completely. This year, with support from Mungyeong City, Lotte Mart plans to purchase and offer approximately 100 tons.

‘Hwanggeum Dangdo’ is Lotte Mart’s premium brand, selecting and selling only fruits that meet internal standards, such as those with about 20% higher sweetness than regular fruits, new varieties, or those cultivated using differentiated farming methods.

In Korea, apples produced domestically are mostly represented by the Busa apple, a ‘Fuji’ variety, accounting for about 70% of the annual supply. Summer apples are mainly the foreign variety ‘Aori.’ Recently, varieties requiring royalty payments overseas have been increasing, making the expansion of domestic varieties urgent. Along with the ‘Mungyeong Gamhong Apple,’ Lotte Mart is significantly expanding the operation of domestic varieties such as the ping-pong ball-sized ‘Yeongcheon Rubies Apple’ and ‘Arisu Apple’ during the fresh apple season from September to October.

This Gamhong apple will be offered from the 22nd for one week at 19,800 KRW for a pack of 4-6 apples under the ‘Hwanggeum Dangdo Mungyeong Gamhong Apple’ label, with a 4,000 KRW discount to 15,800 KRW for L.Point members, supported by Mungyeong City, Mungyeong Nonghyup’s mutual aid funds, and Lotte Mart’s sales support.

Kim Chang-yong, Head of Lotte Mart’s Product Division, said, “Lotte Mart continues to discover excellent local agricultural products. We will keep striving to expand domestic varieties, provide stable sales channels for farmers, and offer customers trustworthy and high-quality products.”