South Korea: Kiwi is replacing citrus

In an area more traditionally known for citrus fruit, the kiwifruit is taking hold. On Jeju Island, South Korea, growers are planting the more profitable kiwifruit.

Kiwifruit are expensive in South Korea, with the gold variety selling for around $1.50 each, but they are very popular. The South Korean market is worth some $100 million to Zespri, and it is aiming to supply kiwifruit to those consumers all year round.

South Korean growers are growing the fruit under license from Zespri on Jeju Island.
Due the harsh weather conditions on the island it has not all been plain sailing. This very humid environment can experience typhoons and very cold winters

Heat wind blowers are used during the winter time to heat some farms and also during the summer cooler systems using water to cool the upper part of the kiwi trees.a All of the fruit is grown in plastic tunnel houses - the roofs of which can be altered depending on the intensity of the sun or rain.

Zespri said the initial reason they had to install the tunnel houses was the typhoon danger.

In South Korea all pollination is done artificially unlike in New Zealand. In April when the flowers are in bloom, growers use spray packs to pollinate the flowers.

The process is repeated several times to ensure every flower is covered and the spray is coloured pink to track progress.

The plants belong to Zespri which maintains a tight reign on the process.