Retail chains in South Korea are deploying innovative techniques to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Mar. 19 (Korea Bizwire) – With apple prices hitting record highs and fresh food costs skyrocketing, retail chains in South Korea are deploying innovative techniques to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, seeking to minimize wastage of these increasingly precious and perishable commodities.
At Lotte Mart, the company has been installing “Pure Space” machines since October in the produce storage facilities of its Junggye, Seocho, and Seoul Station outlets. These devices remove ethylene gas from the air – a naturally occurring compound emitted during the respiration of fruits and vegetables that hastens ripening and wilting.
By filtering out ethylene and recirculating fresh air into the storage areas, Lotte Mart claims the shelf life of its produce has doubled from three to seven days. “With the introduction of these machines, we’ve been able to extend the storage period for fruits and vegetables from the previous three days to seven days,” a company representative stated.
Other retailers are exploring advanced packaging solutions. Home Plus has introduced micro-perforated packaging for some green onions and chives this year, featuring tiny holes in the wrapping to improve ventilation. This technique helps slow moisture buildup inside the packaging, thereby preserving freshness.
For delicate leafy greens, the company now uses anti-fog films coated with UV absorbers. This specialized packaging shields the greens from discoloration caused by ultraviolet light and excessive moisture.
At E-Mart, a “living herbs” line offers basil, dill and other herbs with their roots still intact, allowing the plants to remain vibrant even after hitting store shelves. Customers can revive wilted herbs by simply watering the roots once at home.
The surge in demand for freshness-preserving containers is another market response. According to Gmarket, an e-commerce platform, sales of vegetable storage containers designed to remove air and maintain crispness have soared by 35% so far this year compared to the same period last year.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
