Heat waves and heavy rains fluctuate... From apples for Chuseok to winter strawberries, it's all 'red light'

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Seong Hye-mi = Concerns are growing that frequent heatwaves and heavy rains may disrupt the supply of apples and pears for Chuseok gifts and winter strawberries. The distribution industry is planning to start reserving sales for Chuseok gift sets by mid-next month, and is therefore considering strategies to secure fruit quantities, such as diversifying production areas and expanding practical products. According to three major discount stores on the 27th, concerns are high about the harvest of apples and pears, key items in Chuseok gift sets, due to recent unusual heatwaves and localized heavy rains. Apples have suffered fruit drop damage due to a "triple blow" of cold weather during the flowering period, concentrated heavy rains in production areas, and insufficient sunlight, resulting in small fruit sizes and large quality discrepancies. Pears are expected to see a slight decrease in shipments due to cold weather during the flowering period and ...