Simultaneous sales across 15 Hyundai Department Store branches and taste and marketability evaluations conducted at Garak Market 

The new grape variety 'Gloristar', developed by the Gyeongsangbuk-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, has been exported to the Chinese market for the first time. The entry into the domestic distribution network has also gained momentum with simultaneous sales across 15 nationwide branches of Hyundai Department Store and a marketability evaluation at Garak Market.

‘Gloristar’ was exported to China on October 28 through the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT). The entire volume available for shipment this year will be exported to China.

This variety was first introduced to North American buyers last November at the "Premium New Variety K-Grape Launch Show" held in New York, USA. In September of this year, it was also showcased at a Korean grape launch show held in Manila, Philippines.

Domestically, a sales network has opened centering on Hyundai Department Store. The provincial agricultural research and extension services held a tasting and promotional event themed "Irreplaceable Premium Gyeongbuk Grape, Representative K-Grape of Korea!" at the Pangyo and Mokdong branches of Hyundai Department Store for three days from October 30 to November 1.

‘Gloristar’ went on sale simultaneously at 15 nationwide branches of Hyundai Department Store during the event. This sales initiative is a cooperative project linked to the "Premium Gyeongbuk Agricultural Product Distribution Revitalization Business Agreement" signed in July of last year. It connects a variety developed by a public institution with private distribution channels to lead to farm household income.

Its distribution potential was also inspected at Garak Market. On October 30, at Seoul Cheonggwa, the provincial agricultural research and extension services conducted taste evaluations and marketability surveys targeting intermediate wholesalers and auctioneers, alongside Gil-ho Shin, CEO of New Star Agricultural Corporation.

Intermediate wholesalers and auctioneers gave favorable reviews regarding its sugar content, texture, and fruit shape. The provincial agricultural research and extension services plan to reflect these results in their distribution expansion strategies and farm cultivation technical guidance.

‘Gloristar’ is a red, large-fruited variety harvested in October. It features a crisp and refreshing texture with high sugar content, and can be eaten with the skin on.

Even in high-temperature environments, its coloration remains stable, making cultivation easy, and its exceptional storability makes it advantageous for long-distance exports. It can serve as a new option for cultivating households struggling with recent drops in grape prices. It can also help diversify domestic grape cultivation, which has been biased toward specific varieties, and stabilize farm incomes.

Young-sook Cho, Director of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, stated, "Through the first export to China and the enthusiastic response from Seoul consumers, we simultaneously confirmed the competitiveness of 'Gloristar' both domestically and internationally," adding, "We will reflect the voices of consumers and the distribution field in variety propagation and cultivation technology to foster it into a K-Grape trusted and sought after by the world."

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