​Imported bananas beat home-grown apples as S. Korea's most favorite fruit

By 임장원 Posted : July 7, 2017, 13:34 Updated : July 7, 2017, 13:34

[Photo by Yoo Dae-gil = dbeorlf123@ajunews.com]


Imported bananas beat apples as South Korea's most favorite fruit, reflecting their price competitiveness and popularity among young women who are diet-conscious and want meal replacements.

Banana sales rose 8.7 percent on-year to 37.6 billion won (32.7 million US dollars) in the first half of this year, followed by apples with 33.1 billion won, down 16.2 percent from a year ago, according to sales data from South Korea's major discount chain E-mart.

This marked the first time bananas have topped the list of best-selling fruits in E-mart's first-half sales. The chain's annual banana sales rose from 57.7 billion won in 2015 to 65.3 billion won last year. E-mart predicts this year's banana sales will hit a record high.

Imported bananas gained popularity due to soaring prices of apples and other home-grown fruits. Philippine bananas account for more than 70 percent of the domestic market. E-mart sells a bunch of Philippine bananas at 3,500 won. The price of a modest apple stands at 1,100 won. 

Young Korean women use bananas as meal replacement food or for a weight loss diet. The so-called morning banana diet, which was popular in Japan in 2008, has spread to South Korea.

Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
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