Global warming is prompting growers in South Korea’s North Chungcheong province to move into tropical fruit production.
Traditionally known for its apple and stonefruit orchards, the province is now home to a small passionfruit plantation, located on the outskirts of Chungju. The 0.2ha plantation produced its first commercial crop last year.
Figs and melons are also being cultivated in Chungju, according to Korea Bizwire, while the number of black chokeberry plantationshas more than doubled since 2014.
“Although climate change seems like a problem of the future, it will become our reality in 20 years, which does not leave us much time to prepare,” a Chungju City official told Korea Bizwire. “We’re coordinating with the farms to adapt and react to the coming changes in the most efficient manner.”
