Declining quality and stagnant consumption… Dried persimmons and Shine Muscat, difficult to expect special Lunar New Year sales

The article reports on the expected decrease in the supply of dried persimmons for the Lunar New Year, coupled with weak prices due to poor quality. The quality issues are attributed to severe cold weather and increased humidity, leading to higher loss rates. Additionally, the article highlights the continued price slump for 'Shine Muscat' grapes due to increased shipments and slow consumer consumption, further exacerbated by concerns about quality control and weak taste perceptions.

The supply of dried persimmons for the Lunar New Year is expected to be significantly reduced compared to the average year, but prices are expected to be weak due to a decline in quality. It is expected that it will be difficult to expect a special price for ‘Shine Muscat’ grapes due to the combination of increased shipments and sluggish consumption. ◆Dried Persimmons = On the 9th, the day the ‘2025 Sangju Dried Persimmon Festival’ opened, the Sangju area of Gyeongbuk was hit by a severe cold spell of -12℃ with flurries of snow. Farmers we met at the site clicked their tongues, saying, “It should have been cold earlier.” The Sangju area is the largest dried persimmon producing region in Korea, accounting for half of the nation’s dried persimmon production. Last year, the production of bitter persimmons increased by 10% compared to the average year, but the production of dried persimmons decreased by 40%, according to the unanimous opinion of farmers in the area. Kim Jin-wook, ...