Research is intensifying to develop the Korean wild kiwi as a high-value industrial resource. The initiative aims to secure a new income source for local forestry workers by linking production with functional material development, fermentation, processing, and distribution.
The Jeonnam Gwangju Forest Research Institute held a field discussion on October 21, attended by over 40 participants, including experts from the National Institute of Forest Science, forestry workers, local government officials, and academia.
The discussion focused on establishing a stable production base for the wild kiwi and addressing challenges in cultivation while reflecting industry demands in research and development.
The wild kiwi is a climbing plant native to Korea, belonging to the same genus as the common kiwi. Its fruit has no fuzz, making it edible with the skin, and it has a sweet and tangy flavor, suitable for fresh consumption as well as various processed products like beverages and fermented foods.
The potential for the wild kiwi to become a new income crop for forestry workers is particularly noteworthy if suitable varieties are secured and cultivation techniques are standardized.
During the discussion, research findings covering the entire production and distribution process were shared, from variety development to post-harvest quality management and the use of functional materials for industrialization.
Kim Cheol-woo, a researcher at the National Institute of Forest Science, introduced the current status of domestic kiwi variety development and its applications, while Eo Hyun-ji presented strategies for improving distribution quality through post-harvest management techniques.
Yang Cheon, a researcher at the Jeonnam Gwangju Forest Research Institute, explained the status of securing genetic resources for the wild kiwi and the direction of ongoing research and development.
Professor Heo Ho-jin from Gyeongsang National University discussed research on the brain health benefits of kiwi extracts, and Kim Gyeong-je from the Jangheung Mycology Bio Center presented findings on the fermentation process and industrial materialization of the wild kiwi.
Kang Nam-gil, CEO of AFGM Consulting, proposed strategies for securing demand and commercialization of fermented kiwi, outlining ways to connect research outcomes to actual industry applications.
Participants engaged in a Q&A session to discuss challenges in the industrialization process, including cultivation characteristics by variety, improving productivity, ensuring stable raw material supply, maintaining post-harvest quality, and developing processed products and securing sales channels.
There was a consensus that for the wild kiwi to become a viable income source for forestry workers, it is essential to establish a production system that can continuously supply raw materials of consistent quality, alongside the dissemination of cultivation techniques and a solid processing and distribution foundation.
Following the discussion, participants tasted kiwi processed products and toured the research institute's test plots, observing the growth characteristics and cultivation status of different varieties firsthand.
The Jeonnam Gwangju Forest Research Institute has been selected for the Forest Service's '2026 Green Bio Future Value Chain Technology Development (R&D)' project, with an 80 million won budget this year to conduct research on forest resources that respond to industrial demand, utilizing wild kiwi and red pine.
The research focuses on securing superior genetic resources, standardizing propagation and nursery techniques, enhancing AI-based growth and environmental data analysis, and advancing smart nursery technology.
Through this, the institute aims to establish a stable raw material production system and provide a technical foundation to meet the quality and quantity demands of the industry.
The Forest Research Institute plans to incorporate the cultivation technology improvement requests raised in the field and industry demands into its research and development, expanding the dissemination of applicable technologies for forestry workers and linking them to industrialization.
Oh Deuk-sil, director of the Jeonnam Gwangju Forest Research Institute, stated, "This discussion was a meaningful opportunity to explore the industrialization potential of the wild kiwi, from cultivation techniques to processing and functional material utilization. We will strive to ensure that the wild kiwi becomes a new income resource for local forestry workers through research and development that reflects field demands and the dissemination of cultivation techniques."
The success of wild kiwi industrialization hinges on how effectively research outcomes can be integrated into actual cultivation and processing industries. Key future challenges include securing stable production volumes, ensuring quality uniformity, and validating the market competitiveness of processed products.
Meanwhile, the Jeonnam Gwangju Forest Research Institute is conducting research to enhance the industrial value of wild kiwi and red pine, based on this year's 80 million won research and development budget. The goal is to systematize the production base from securing superior genetic resources to developing smart nursery technology, thereby linking the high-value utilization of local forest resources to increased forestry income.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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