Climate change threatens Korean orchards

Across southern Korea, apple growers are facing a new problem: fruit splitting open before harvest. The cracks appear when apples absorb too much water after heat waves and sudden rainfall. Prolonged high temperatures also cause sunburn and spoilage.

Experts warn that rising temperatures could make most of Korea unsuitable for apple farming by the end of the century. Under worst-case projections, only about 1% of current farmland will remain viable by the 2070s. Pears, peaches, and ginseng are also expected to decline sharply, while subtropical fruits such as tangerines and lemons may expand.

Farmers are struggling to adapt, as building shade systems or switching crops is costly. Without urgent climate action and stronger support measures, traditional fruits could disappear from Korean tables within decades.

source: koreatimes.co.kr

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