This image provided by UGLYUS shows yellow-skinned apples.
SEOUL, Oct. 25 (Korea Bizwire) – Value consumers and suppliers interested in the protection of the environment are standing up to oppose the traditional practice of throwing away ‘ugly’ agricultural products that do not fit ‘market standards.’
A separate market for ‘ugly’ produce is growing as more suppliers are delivering ‘ugly fruits and vegetables to households on a regular basis.
In October of last year, UGLYUS became the first South Korean firm to introduce a subscription service for ugly agricultural produce.
The company produces a package of seven or eight kinds of ‘ugly’ produce collected straight from farms that is distributed every one or two weeks.
UGLY BASKET, too, began offering an ‘ugly’ produce subscription service last August.
Online shopping malls are beginning to sell ‘ugly’ products as well. Online shopping giant 11st introduced new brands ‘Ugly Lovely’ and ‘Fresh Ugly’ to sell unconventional agricultural products.
“They’re cheaper than other organic products, but the quality’s the same,” said Lim Hee-seon, a homemaker who signed up for an ugly vegetable box subscription service.
Most of the eccentric looks borne by ugly fruits and vegetables are the outcome of organic, natural farming.
For instance, the yellowing of an apple’s skin is often a result of organic farming where the apples aren’t covered with bags.
It has no impact on the fruit’s taste. Rather, these apples may taste better.
Nevertheless, most of them would never make it to the market.
“Throwing away ugly fruits and vegetables generates massive social and environmental costs. What’s more, food waste consists of 8 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, which represents a considerable impact on the environment,” said Choi Hyun-joo, head of UGLYUS.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
