Korean Paprika

Features of Korean Paprika

Paprika is globally valued by consumers for its variety of colors, rich nutrition and low in calories. In Korea, it is largely produced in Jeollabukdo, Jeollanam-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Gangwon-do. Korean paprika has the advantage of being colorful and vivid compared to other foreign paprika, and its crisp and sweet taste is admirable. In particular, Korean paprikas occupy more than 75% of the total amount of paprika imported to Japan, and it has gained enormous popularity in the Japanese market. It is evaluated that a high-quality strategy based on meticulous safety management has been the key to success.

Export path to China has opened

Paprika, called the ‘jewel of vegetables’ is loved by consumers around the world for its rich nutrients such as vitamins A and C, iron and calcium, and also the fact that low in calories attracts many healthy eaters. While Korean paprika is especially famous for its high quality, a success on the quarantine negotiations with China last year will kick off export in earnest, which took 12 years to complete. The Korean paprika industry is projected to export USD100 million for the first time in fresh agricultural product based on business with China.

Korean Paprika is Likely to Succeed in China’s Premium market

by Park Sung-kuk, aT Shanghai Chief Director

In China, paprika is used primarily for stir-frying, not freshly consumed, and is used as an assortment rather than a main ingredient. Although the market has not been formed due to lack of awareness of paprika and how to eat, the demand for paprika such as salad is expected to increase as a result of better income and growing interst in well-being lifestyle.

There are no official statistics on Chinese paprika production, but the industry estimates it to be 3300ha(730ha for Korea). Chinese paprika is mostly soil cultivated; thus, its size and color are not consistent, which is why Korean Also the production of orange paprika should to be augpaprikas are probable to take the lead in quality competitiveness.

Due to the lack of awareness of paprika, it is essential to develop markets using export and marketing at the same time. Since most of them are used as food ingredients, there is a need to raise interest in the demand for fresh paprikas.

In order to expand exports of Korean paprika, it is necessary to enter the premium market and gradually expand its customers. Beijing and Shanghai, which have high income and consumption levels, should be targeted to facilitate the entry of Korean paprika in the early stage of export.

Moreover, the reflection of top quality should be promoted by securing data on the excellence of Korean paprika. Also the production of orange paprika should to be augmented, given that yellow and red are typically grown in China. Orange paprikas, which are less common in the local market, can be sold by grouping with red and yellow paprikas as in three-color sets which can raise scarcity value and attract consumer attention.