Increasing the number of single-person households drives sales of fresh-cut fruit
Demand for fresh-cut fruit has grown in Korea with retailers expanding their product lines as consumers search for convenience.
According to a report from Maeil Business Newspaper, Lotte Super reported sales of sliced fruit increased by 50 per cent year-on-year in 2024, and as of the first quarter of 2025, Lotte Super’s sales of sliced fruit increased by more than 20 per cent year-on-year.
The Korean retailer said sales exploded in May-August 2024 during watermelon season with the red-fleshed fruit driving sales. It plans to increase its fresh-cut range to 35 including multiple watermelon products and introduce peach, grape, melon and kiwifruit options from July.
Lotte Super said its analysis showed the increase in the proportion of single-person households and the importance these consumers place on convenience and value are the main reasons for the increase in sales of fresh-cut fruit. Consumers are feeling the pressure of the rising cost of living and high fruit prices so they prefer to only purchase a small amount of daily necessities at a time.
“Easy products or ready-to-use daily necessities are gaining popularity on (Lotte Super) channels. We will continue to provide differentiated products and services so that customers who visit Lotte Super can conveniently purchase food and daily necessities,” said a member of the Lotte Mart and Super fruit team.
Other Korean retailers have also reported increasing demand for fresh-cut fruit in recent years and the trend appears to be maintaining momentum.
