BC Blueberries to South Korea

South Korea is enjoying a blueberry boom. Sun-kissed, plump and juicy, B.C. blueberries’ naturally balanced sweet and tart flavour and intense blue colour make them an appetizing and beautiful addition to any meal. Fresh or frozen, this small-but-mighty berry is jam-packed with nutritional benefits. It’s an irresistible combination, and it has roused Korean consumers’ appetites.

The BC Blueberry Council and Korean agri-food distributor Erum Food System have reached an agreement to supply frozen B.C. blueberries to South Korea’s Provence Bakery and the major coffee shop franchise, Hollys Coffee. Provence Bakery and Hollys Coffee will feature B.C. blueberries on two new dessert menus as part of a promotional campaign that will run from December to March.

Tourists love Provence Bakery. It’s a favourite location for them as well as hungry locals who come to feast on popular menu items like the famous KissRing pastry with blueberry. At Hollys Coffee, a new B.C. blueberry dessert menu will be available at 510 franchise locations.

The B.C. blueberry promotional campaign in South Korea is being coordinated by Erum Food System and the BC Blueberry Council, with in-market support from the firm Latitude Inc. in Seoul and the British Columbia trade and investment office in South Korea.

Why B.C. blueberries are growing in popularity

Blueberries are a versatile fruit for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Whether eaten fresh, frozen or added to a delicious pastry or confectionery, blueberries are a simple way to incorporate flavour into recipes and support a naturally healthy lifestyle.

Health benefits of blueberries

B.C. blueberries are a nutritional powerhouse. For Korea’s health-conscious consumers, blueberries offer more than just great taste and good looks. For the young and old, blueberries can support the immune system and offer many health benefits.

Blueberries contain antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins that give them their brilliant blue colour.  Antioxidants are nutrients naturally found in food, especially in dark and brightly coloured vegetables and fruits. They can protect your body’s cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are made during normal body processes and can also come from cigarette smoke and pollutants in air, water and food. A diet rich in antioxidants helps to keep you healthy and prevent chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

Blueberries are an excellent source of Vitamin C and the mineral manganese. Vitamin C is important for keeping the immune system healthy. Manganese plays a vital role in bone health and converts the foods we eat into energy to be used by the body.  Blueberries are also a good source of fibre which helps you stay healthy, lower blood cholesterol and control blood sugar levels.

Growing quality

Throughout their journey from the farmer’s field to the bakeries and cafes of South Korea, B.C. blueberries are grown and handled with care and the highest food safety standards to ensure optimum quality. It starts in British Columbia’s beautiful Fraser Valley, which offers the ideal growing conditions, pure water, rich fertile soil, clean air and a moderate climate with hot summer days and cool nights.

British Columbia’s 600 blueberry farmers have over 80 years of growing experience, with more than 11,000 hectares (27,000 acres) of blueberry fields under cultivation that produce more than 150 million pounds of blueberries annually. Canada is one of the world’s largest highbush blueberry suppliers, with a great majority of its production concentrated in British Columbia. Fresh, juicy B.C berries are available between July and September and can also be enjoyed year-round in a variety of formats. B.C blueberries bring flavor to essences, and can be quick-frozen, dehydrated, powdered, pureed and juiced. Learn more about the multitude of formats offered by B.C blueberry producers.

B.C.’s delicious blueberry varieties offer world-class options for flavour, sweetness, and fresh and frozen quality. Customer-favorite varieties are available throughout the entire growing season, with early, mid, and late varieties to satisfy your preferences. Learn more about B.C. blueberry varieties by reading up on “Blueberries 101.”

Every B.C blueberry is produced under the highest quality standards, with special care taken by producers to ensure that you receive the best tasting, safest berry.

About the BC Blueberry Council

The mission of the British Columbia Blueberry Council is to enhance the viability and strategic development of the blueberry industry through promotion, research, industry education and relationship building.

Are you interested in getting a taste of the natural power and market potential contained in every BC blueberry? Visit the BC Blueberry Council website to discover B.C. suppliers.

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