In 2021, the total amount of export of Korea Agricultural and Fisheries reached USD 11.36 billlion. It is the best export record so far. Strawberry has played a major role in breaking through the USD 10 billion hurdle. Strawberry, a representative exporting item of Korea, has achieved USD 64.678 million as of 2021. It shows 20% increase year-on-year. Expecially, Daepyeong Co., Ltd. located in Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, has been exporting the Korean strawberry breed, 'Maehyang', to Southeast Asia, raising the reputation of Korean Strawberries.

#The Biggest Strawberry Specialized Complex, Daepyeong
Daepyeong-myeon, Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, is adjacent to the artificial Jinyang Lake. Jinyang Lake is clear enough to be used as a water source or the surrounding area. The groundwater of about 18℃ is warm, so it’s good for greenhouse heating in winter. That’s why the largest strawberry specialized complex in Korea is located in Daepyeong and there, Daepyeong Agricultural Corporation is located. It produces strawberries in a greenhouse of about 50ha. It has been 16 years since the strawberry cultivation started in Daepyeong, and it is well regarded for its outstanding strawberry cultivation technology with the long experience added. It shows that Daepyeong has enough ability to make high-quality strawberry.
Daepyeong is exporting strawberry to Hong Kong and Singapore. These areas account for 60% of its exports, and Thailand and Vietnam are other exporting countries. Daepyeong has been strived for strawberry export since the first year of establishment, 2004. The annual export volume is about 300 tons and around 20 farms are used only for cultivating strawberries for export. 

Daepyeong CEO, Yoon Gab-soo, also a president at Korea Export Strawberry Producer Association said with confidence that the name of Daepyeong, Jinju means “Big Fields”. Strawberry farmers began to settle in Daepyeong due to the fertile soil, and strawberries are proudly listed as a speciality of Jinju.

#Maehyang, Strawberries for Export: Superior in Sugar and Storage
The major strawberry breed of Daepyeong is ‘Maehyang.’ 'Maehyang' is a strawberry breeded at the Nonsan Strawberry Experiment Station in 2001. Maehyang has excellent sugar content, hardness, and is highly storable. For this reason, 'Maehyang' has been promoted as export-only breed, and has been driving Korean strawberry exports. However, as the Korean strawberry breed diversifies, preference for Maehyang is declining. Despite this trend, Daepyeong has been loyal to Maehyang production. ‘Taste’ explains why. Exported strawberries should show the best taste in overseas local markets. In addition, there should be no softening in the export process. CEO Yoon Gab-soo explains that Maehyang strawberry is the most suitable breed that satisfies these conditions. Even if Maehyang is harvested at maturity level of 50%, after ripening is possible during the exportingperiod. It reaches 13 Brix, the sugar level that brings out the best taste in strawberries. Above all, no softening of the fruit during the exporting process is the biggest advantage. Along with the taste, Maehyang is also perfect for widening the consumption base. 

Due to the nature of the Maehyang, it is mainly sold at low-cost marts rather than high-end stores. In other words, many locals people can have chance to eat Korean Strawberries. Above all, Daepyeong also shows its willingness to protect Maehyang’s pride as it has long grown Maehyang strawberries. Maehyang is accounted for more than 90% of Jinju strawberry production to the extent that it was said that ‘Jinju strawberries are Maehyang.’

#Prime Time to Launch Premium Strawberry
Daepyeong is now getting ready to sell premium products. It is selected and packaged with bigger and well-shaped strawberries than the regular Maehyang, therefore, the price is more than double that of conventional strawberries. It is targeting the oversea upper class, on the other hand a strategy of Daepyeong to increase the consumer segment of the Korean strawberries. To that end, it is planning to increase the production quantity of other strawberry breeds such as ‘Kuemsil’ on top of ‘Maehyang’ little by little. ‘Kuemsil’ is a crossbreed between ‘Maehyang’ and ‘Seolhyang’ which is a breed characterized by high-yielding ability and a great variety. It has strong sweet taste and a subtle scent of peach. K-berry, Korea Integrated Strawberry Export Organization, is also exporting premium strawberry since last year for the same reason as Daepyeong. Also, Global G.A.P. Certification is getting ready. The main ground is for export expansion, and the Global G.A.P. research complex has been created for the second year and consulting is being received. Of course, all farms in Daepyeong have been G.A.P. certified and safety is already secured. 
CEO Yoon Gab-soo emphasizes “Korean Strawberries are famous for its sweet and sour taste. Moreover, Korean breeds have diverse characteristics which make it fun for consumers to choose. I think it is our Daepyeong farm houses’ duty to grow the crops carefully so that consumers can enjoy Korean strawberries in safety.”