At a recent press conference held in Seoul, Zespri International shared insights on nutrient-dense diets and the role of fruits like kiwifruit in addressing "hidden hunger"—a condition where individuals consume enough calories but lack essential nutrients.
Koohwi Eung, general manager of Zespri International Marketing, presented the company's global vision during the event at the Sofitel Ambassador Hotel on May 28. The event was organized to coincide with World Nutrition Day and included collaboration with the Korean Society of Nutrition.
Eung noted that while Zespri currently holds around 85% of the kiwi market share in Korea, only one in five Koreans meets recommended daily fruit and vegetable intake guidelines. He emphasized the importance of the Korean market, which ranks fifth globally for Zespri after China, Japan, Spain, and Germany.
During the event, the concept of nutrient density was a central theme. Nutrient density measures the amount of key nutrients provided per 100 kilocalories of food. According to research shared by the Korean Society of Nutrition, kiwifruit demonstrated high nutrient density scores: SunGold kiwis at 26.7 and Green kiwis at 19.5. For comparison, pineapple, cited as a low-density fruit, has a score of 2.4.
National data presented during the event showed a 40% decrease in per capita fruit consumption in Korea over the past decade, with current levels at 113 grams per day. As a result, approximately 70% of Koreans are not meeting daily recommended intake levels for key nutrients like vitamin C and vitamin E.
Professor Shin Sang-ah from Chung-Ang University emphasized the role of nutrient-dense foods in improving vitamin and mineral intake, especially given declining fruit consumption despite food abundance. The research indicated that incorporating one SunGold kiwi daily helped improve vitamin C intake across all age and gender groups, and also contributed to reducing deficiencies in vitamin E, folate, and dietary fiber by an average of 23%.
Dr. Jeong Hee-won of Asan Medical Center also spoke at the event, highlighting the nutritional advantages of consuming whole fruits rather than processed alternatives. He pointed out that eating kiwi with the skin can increase fiber intake by 50%, as well as enhance folate and vitamin E intake compared to eating only the flesh.
Zespri's Korea division outlined plans to increase household consumption of kiwis by focusing on regular dietary inclusion alongside commonly consumed fruits like apples and bananas. Marketing director Hong Hee-sun stressed the goal of establishing kiwifruit as part of everyday dietary habits in Korea.
Source: ChosunBiz