As of the October 2, 2026 KAMIS survey: Hongro apple wholesale prices per 10 kg, the 5 kg and per-kg equivalents, why prices fell 36% in a month, when Fuji apples arrive and what they cost last year, and how growers should time Fuji harvest and sales.
A year ago Korean apples made headlines for being expensive. This autumn looks different. After Chuseok, Hongro wholesale prices dropped by more than a third in a month and now sit far below last year’s level.
Bottom line: as of the October 2, 2026 KAMIS survey, top-grade Hongro apples sold for KRW 55,000 per 10 kg in Seoul wholesale markets, or KRW 27,500 per 5 kg and KRW 5,500 per kg. That is 36% below KRW 86,000 on September 1 and 36% below KRW 85,600 a year earlier. Fuji apples are not in the wholesale survey yet. Last year they first appeared on October 23 at KRW 98,700 per 10 kg and eased to about KRW 80,000 by mid-November.
1. Where prices stand.
| City | September 1 | October 2 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul | 86,000 | 55,000 | −36% |
| Gwangju | 74,300 | 55,600 | −25% |
| Daejeon | 67,600 | 52,600 | −22% |
| Busan | 67,000 | 48,000 | −28% |
| Daegu | 67,300 | 46,600 | −31% |
Top-grade Hongro, KRW per 10 kg. The five-city average fell from KRW 72,440 to KRW 51,560 (−29%). Medium grade in Seoul was KRW 45,000 per 10 kg. These are prices charged by intermediate wholesalers; retail 5 kg boxes vary with fruit count, origin and sorting.
2. Why prices fell.
The crop is large. In early September the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI) projected 2026 apple production at 481,000 tonnes, 7.4% above last year’s 448,000 tonnes, with Chuseok-season shipments up 19.3%.
Hongro also falls every year after Chuseok. On 2016–2025 Seoul monthly averages, top-grade Hongro averaged KRW 71,867 in August, KRW 58,916 in September and KRW 44,502 in October (nine years with October data). Last year was the exception: October 2025 averaged KRW 77,727. Today’s price is far below last year but still 24% above the 10-year October average.
3. Which variety, and when.
| Variety | Season | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Hongro | Picked in September, tail end in October | Cheapest month on average |
| Gamhong | October | Not in the KAMIS survey |
| Fuji | Picked late October to early November | Wholesale survey not started |
Last year’s Fuji prices in Seoul (top grade, 10 kg) started at KRW 98,700 on October 23, fell to KRW 80,000 by November 10, then rose to KRW 108,000 by December 9. On 10-year averages, November (KRW 49,172) is the cheapest month for Fuji and July (KRW 64,042) the most expensive.
For apples to eat now, late Hongro is the best value. For apples to keep through winter, wait for the mid-November Fuji glut.
4. For growers.
Sell remaining Hongro by mid-October; all five markets are falling and demand thins once Fuji arrives. Harvest Fuji for long storage a little earlier (around October 20–25 per Muju County guidance) and fruit for immediate sale later (October 30 to November 5). Pick from the sunny upper and outer canopy first, and only when the fruit surface is dry.
On 10-year averages, Fuji rises 16% from November to December. Storage losses, weight loss and electricity have to be smaller than that gap. Storage temperatures are in our cold storage temperature and humidity chart.
5. Conclusion.
As of October 2, 2026, top-grade Hongro sells for KRW 55,000 per 10 kg in Seoul, more than a third cheaper than last year, in a year with a large crop. Earlier notes are in our September apple price table.
References
- aT KAMIS, intermediate wholesaler prices: Apple (Hongro) top and medium grade 10 kg, Apple (Fuji) top grade 10 kg, Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Daejeon, September 2025 – October 2, 2026 (data.go.kr API).
- aT KAMIS monthly wholesale prices: Apple (Hongro, Fuji) top grade 10 kg, Seoul, 2016–2026.
- Korea Rural Economic Institute, Agricultural Outlook: Fruit, September 2026 (as reported by Herald Business, September 3, 2026).
- Muju County apple guide: Fuji harvest timing and storage.
- Gyeongbuk Agricultural Research and Extension Services, late-season apple harvest management.
- Actual prices vary with size, origin, buyer and terms.