"Consistent Taste and Quality Despite the Cold Wave"... Lotte Mart Introduces Smart Farm Perilla Leaves and Cucumbers

Sales from January 15 to 21
Automated cultivation system controls temperature, humidity, and light
Consistent quality even in cold outdoor temperatures

Lotte Mart announced on January 13 that, in order to supply vegetables of consistent quality even during the cold wave, it will introduce perilla leaves and cucumbers grown in smart farms from January 15 to 21.

Lotte Mart officials are introducing smart farm vegetables at Lotte Mart Zeta Flex Jamsil branch in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Provided by Lotte Mart

The perilla leaves, called "Naeil Farm Perilla Leaves," are harvested from a smart farm in Geumsan, South Chungcheong Province, and are priced at 1,990 won for 40 grams. This farm uses an ICT-based cultivation system that automatically controls temperature, humidity, and light, maintaining a stable growing environment regardless of external weather conditions. The cucumbers are sourced from smart farms in Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province, and Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, and are priced at 1,190 won each. They will be available at 11 locations, including the Zeta Flex Jamsil branch.

Recently, as morning temperatures have continued to drop close to minus 10 degrees Celsius, prices have been rising, especially for leafy and fruit vegetables that are vulnerable to low temperatures. According to the Seoul Agro-Fisheries & Food Corporation, the average price for 100 bundles of top-grade perilla leaves traded at the Garak Agricultural and Marine Products Wholesale Market in Songpa-gu, Seoul, from January 8 to 10 was 38,615 won, a 51.1% increase compared to the same period last year (25,551 won). During the same period, the average price for 50 top-grade Baekdadagi cucumbers, a representative fruit vegetable, exceeded 50,000 won, maintaining high market prices.

Lotte Mart plans to expand its smart farm vegetable offerings, focusing on weather-sensitive vegetables such as perilla leaves, cucumbers, lettuce, and paprika. In addition, this year, the volume of smart farm vegetables handled will increase by about 20% compared to last year.

Kim Sieun, MD (Merchandiser) of Lotte Mart and Lotte Super's Vegetable Team, said, "In order to provide customers with vegetables of consistent quality throughout the year, we will continue our efforts not only with smart farm vegetables but also by supplying CA-stored vegetables (with precise control of oxygen, carbon dioxide, temperature, and humidity in storage facilities) and by discovering alternative production areas."