With the rising prices of fresh fruits and vegetables, a recent analysis indicates that more consumers are opting for relatively cheaper and long-lasting frozen alternatives.
However, it’s crucial to wash these frozen fruits before using them for juice or in dishes like fruit salads.
According to Korea Customs Service on the 9th, the import volume of frozen fruits from January to April this year increased by 38.3%, reaching 24,797 tons compared to 17,936 tons during the same period last year. The annual import volume of frozen fruits has been steadily rising over the past five years.
The Korea Rural Economic Institute reported that last year’s import volume of frozen fruits was 64,000 tons, marking a 6% increase from the previous year and a record high.
Frozen fruits and vegetables are harvested in bulk during peak season and then frozen for sale. Since these products are purchased in large quantities when they are most abundant, their base purchase price is relatively low, leading to stable prices throughout the year.
Beyond pricing, lifestyle changes have also boosted the popularity of frozen vegetables and fruits.
According to a survey conducted by the Agriculture Observation Center of the Korea Rural Economic Institute on 500 consumers from December 22 to 26 last year, the primary reason for buying frozen fruits was their easy storage (38%). This was followed by the convenience in processing for consumption, such as making juice (36%). The third reason was their price being cheaper (22%).
Fresh fruits have a short shelf life of about one to two weeks, whereas frozen fruits can be stored for over a year with minimal nutrient loss. Recent studies indicate that frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh ones.
Last year, a research team from the University of Rhode Island in the U.S. reported that while nutrients in fresh vegetables can degrade during distribution, frozen vegetables, which are frozen at their peak nutrient density, retain higher nutrients than fresh ones.
It is advisable to wash frozen fruits labeled as “agricultural products” before using them.
Frozen fruits are categorized as either “fruit and vegetable processed foods” or “agricultural products.” The former are cleaned and prepared for immediate consumption, while the latter are frozen without any cleaning process, potentially leaving bacteria and residual pesticides.
Sometimes, identifying the food type of a product can be difficult. In such cases, look for warnings like, “Please wash before use.” If no warnings or food type information is provided, it’s safer to wash them before eating anyway.
A test conducted by the Korea Consumer Agency on 25 imported frozen fruit products including blueberries, mangoes, and strawberries, found that two products contained more coliform bacteria than the standard level.
Frozen fruits should be consumed immediately after thawing, as they can quickly breed microbes if kept at room temperature. Refreezing already thawed frozen fruits is not recommended due to potential bacteria growth
If stored at the right temperature, frozen fruits have a shelf life of about two to three years. Once opened, it’s best to consume them as soon as possible.
