0. Executive Summary
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Judgment axis

Key judgment

Item IdentityA fruit and vegetable belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family and the Cucumis melo series. Although botanically very closely related to the melon, it is managed as a separate product crop in the domestic Korean melon industry.
Key roleA leading facility-based fruit and vegetable business connecting fresh produce, sorted fruit, gift sets, online sales, school meals, dining out, processing, and export.
Harvesting principleConsider variety, fruit set, skin color, aroma, ripeness, sugar content, fruit firmness, distribution distance, and export conditions together.
Product separationUnripe fruit, marketable fresh fruit, sorted fruit, small fruit, large fruit, raw materials for processing, sliced ​​fruit, juice, puree, and fruit for export are managed as separate products.
Separation of similar itemsAcknowledging the possibility of overlap with the previous item, Melon, at the Species level, separate into Variety Group, Appearance, Cultivation, Distribution, and Buyer Spec.
Domestic statisticsKOSIS manages Korean melon as a crop subject to independent administrative surveys for fruit and vegetable production. The 2025 production figures will be entered after verifying the latest official raw data in accordance with the publication schedule.
Concentration in mountainous areasBased on official announcements from Gyeongsangbuk-do, Seongju  accounts for 74% of the national Korean melon production in 2024.
Supply and demand riskGreenhouse cultivation: Energy, weather, water, pollination, pests and diseases, fruit cracking, fermentation, overripening, cold damage, concentration of production areas, price fluctuations
Operating PrinciplesConnect Variety–Facility–Fruit Setting–Harvest–Sorting–Storage–Buyer RFQ to Fruit Lot
Final goalConnecting Korean melons from producers and local organizations with actual distribution, processing, and export buyer specifications, and feeding back evaluation and repurchase results into the next growing season.
1. Plant Identity & Product Master

Plant Identity

Basic fields

Korean Melon Registration Standards

Korean namemelon
English nameKorean melon / Oriental melon
Representative scientific nameCucumis melo L. series
classificationCucurbitaceae · Cucumis
Edible partsFlesh and placenta of mature fruit. Whether the peel and seeds are consumed is classified by product and consumption method.
Non-edible · Separate managementStems, leaves, roots, non-marketable fruit, diseased fruit, sorting by-products
Major harvesting stagesImmature fruit / Suitable for distribution / Ripe fruit / For seed collection
Basic product formFresh fruit · Selected fruit · Small packaging · Gifts · Cut fruit · Processed raw materials
Basic processing stageHarvesting → Sorting → Washing → Pre-cooling/Temperature Control → Packaging → Storage → Cutting/Juicing/Pureing, etc.
Basic useRaw food, retail, online, gift, catering, dining out, processing, export
Similarity PrincipleOverlap with Melon and Species series is acknowledged, but separated into Product Crop

The National Institute of Horticultural and Special Crops Science classifies Korean melon as a separate crop within the fruit and vegetable category and manages plant characteristics, environment and growth, growth stages, cultivation methods, variety selection, cultivation techniques, and harvesting and shipping through an independent technical system. ( National Institute of Horticultural and Special Crops Science )

Product Master

Product ID

Product type

Key Management Standards

KME-P01Korean melons immediately after harvestVariety · Fruit Set Date · Harvest Date · Ripeness · Lot
KME-P02Locally Selected Korean MelonsAppearance, weight, size, color, sweetness, defects
KME-P03Premium Fresh FruitUniformity, Appearance, Sweetness, Packaging
KME-P04General retail fresh fruitGrade · Weight · Packaging · Delivery Time
KME-P05Small Korean melonSize, specifications, uses, and small packaging
KME-P06Large Korean melonWeight · Shape · Texture · Buyer Spec
KME-P07Gift setUniformity, Packaging, Box Size, Brand
KME-P08For online deliveryHardness · Buffering · Descent · Delivery Damage
KME-P09For school meals and dining outSpecifications, Safety, and Delivery Cycle
KME-P10Fresh fruit for exportRipness, Hardness, Quarantine, Packaging, Transport Period
KME-P11Cut Korean melonWashing, cutting, microorganisms, refrigeration
KME-P12Refrigerated fruit cupsCutting Lot · Packaging · Use-by Date
KME-P13Korean melon juice ingredientsProcessing suitability, juice yield, aroma
KME-P14Korean melon pureeSweetness, Color, Aroma, Process Lot
KME-P15frozen ingredientsPretreatment, rapid freezing, and thawing characteristics
KME-P16Dried and powdered raw materialsDrying conditions, moisture, color, scent
KME-P17Non-commercial processed raw materialsSafety, appearance defects, and suitability for processing
KME-P18Fruit for seed productionBreeds · Self-crossing · Seed Lot
KME-P19satelliteVariety · Purity · Germination Rate · Seed Lot
KME-P20finished productsIngredient content · Manufacturing Lot · Labeling · Use-by date
2. Product Classification & Use Segmentation

Classification criteria

Subdivision type

Management principles

Plant classificationCucumis melo familyMaintaining a Relationship with Melon and Species
varietiesActual Korean melon varietiesSeed/Variety ID required
Cultivation typeForced cultivation, semi-forced cultivation, greenhouse cultivation, etc.Linking region, planting date, and harvest season
Facility typeVinyl greenhouses, interconnected systems, smart facilities, etc.Connecting Environment Datasets
Harvesting stageUnripe, moderately ripe, fully ripeProduct Separation
Fruit sizeSmall, Medium, Large and Actual WeightBuyer Spec
qualityAppearance, skin color, grooves, sugar content, firmness, aromaMeasurement by Lot
Distribution methodsBulk · Small Packaging · Gift Sets · OnlinePackaging Entity
Processing formCutting, juicing, pureeing, freezing, dryingProcess Lot
Final useRaw food, catering, dining out, export, processingBuyer RFQ
Transaction typeSpot goods, periodic supply, contract, PB, exportContract Layer
originDomestic regions, farms, and APCsTraceability
3. Production, Harvest & Post-harvest

step

Essential Dataset

Management purpose

Cultivation planVariety · Cultivation Type · Facilities · Goals BuyerMarket-based production
satelliteVariety · Seed Lot · GerminationBreed Traceability
Rootstock and graftingRootstock Variety · Grafting Date · Seedling LotDisease and Growth Management
Seedling cultivationSowing, temperature and humidity, seedling age, and growthTomb quality
Soil and mediumSoil testing, EC, pH, organic matterRoot zone management
formulaOfficial date, number of weeks, densityCrop management
survivalRooting Date · Missing PlantEarly growth
Growth managementStem, number of leaves, vigor, growthProduction forecast
Facility EnvironmentTemperature, Humidity, Solar Radiation, CO₂Growth and Diseases
WateringDate · Quantity · ECMoisture management
disputeType, Concentration, and TimeGrowth and fruit quality
Maneuver/StopStem, lateral shoot, fruit-bearing nodeQuantity and marketability
floweringFemale flowers, male flowers, blooming dateFruit set prediction
pollinationBees, artificial pollination, fertilization statusFruit set stability
Fruit setFruit set date, number of fruits, fruit set locationHarvest Prediction
Excessive negligenceSize, weight, growthYield prediction
pestsOccurrence, Control, and ChemicalsQuality and Safety
Physiological disordersHeat, fermentation, poor shape, etc.Product Rate Management
Accommodation assessmentDays on fruit, skin color, aroma, sugar content, and firmnessHarvest season
harvestHarvest date, time, and numberHarvest Lot
Mountain movementHarvest → Sorting Station TimeProduct temperature control
SelectionAppearance, weight, size, defectsGrade
Non-destructive screeningIf sugar content or internal defects are possibleQuality Data
purifyingAt the Buyer's RequestHygiene management
Product temperature controlShipment and storage temperature recordsFreshness
Pre-coolingApplicability and MethodShelf-life
packagingPackaging materials, units, cushioningDamage during distribution
saveTemperature, humidity, and periodQuality maintenance
shipmentBuyer · Vehicle · Delivery DateDelivery
cuttingWashing, cutting, and hygieneFresh-cut Product
JuicingInput, Yield, FiltrationJuice Product
PureeCrushing, heat treatment, and packagingIngredient
freezingPretreatment and freezingOrgan raw materials
4. Quality Specification & Lot Management

Quality items

Fresh fruit

Selected and pre-treated products

processed goods

finished product

Public rating

Species/Product CropessentialsuccessionsuccessiontrackingPublic
varietiesessentialsuccessiontrackingIf necessaryPublic/Verified
mountainous districtessentialsuccessionsuccessionDisplay/TrackingPublic
farmhouseIDsuccessiontracking-Verified
facilitiesHouse IDsuccessiontracking-Verified
LotessentialnewnewManufacturing LotVerified/NDA
Official daterecordsuccessiontracking-Verified
Fruit setting datecoresuccessiontracking-Verified
Harvest daycoresuccessionsuccessiontrackingVerified
Skin colorcoreSelectionRaw Material SpecBy productMember
ribs and patternscheckSelection--Member
formcoreSelectionRaw material standardsIf necessaryMember
weightBy Fructus/By GradecoreBatchBy productMember/Verified
sizecoreSelectionBy useBy productMember
SweetnessLot measurementSelectionRaw material specificationsProduct specificationsVerified
hardnessExports and online are importantSelectionRaw material specificationsBy productVerified
incenseAccommodation assessmentIf necessaryProcessed flavorBy productMember
flesh conditionCutting inspectionSampleRaw material inspectionBy productVerified
Placenta and seed ductInternal qualityIf necessaryRemoval/Utilization-Verified
Heat andtestExclusion/RatingReview of processing feasibility-Verified
FermentationtestexceptionPrinciple of safety review-Verified
DiseasetestexceptionDecision on whether to prohibit food conversion-Verified
Wounds/CompressiontestSelectionReview for processing-Verified
alien substancecheckWashing and sortingCompliance with standardsCompliance with standardsVerified
pesticide residuesLot InspectionsuccessionCompliance with standardsCompliance with standardsVerified/NDA
microorganismWhen fresh fruit is neededCut product coreessentialFood standardsVerified/NDA
Low temperature damageConfirm after savingcore--Verified
Bone browningKey to storage and exporttest--Verified
packagingShipment unitPackaging LotProduct packagingFinalMember
saveTemperature, humidity, and timeessentialBy productBy productVerified
Expiration dateThe relevant citycut partsprocessed goodsLabeling standardsMember
ShipmentrecordrecordrecordrecordNDA
ReturnsrecordrecordrecordrecordNDA
ClaimTypes and CausesconnectionconnectionconnectionNDA
RepurchaseBuyer ConnectionconnectionconnectionconnectionNDA

Lot Master Required Field

Lot ID · Item/Product Type · Scientific Name/Variety · Cultivation Type · Origin/Cultivation Area · Producer · Facility/House ID · Seed Lot · Rootstock/Grafting Info · Planting Date · Flowering Date · Pollination Method · Fruit Set Date · Harvest Date · Ripening Level · Quality Indicators · Sugar Content · Hardness · Weight/Specifications/Grade · Skin Color/Furrows/Shape · Check for Cracking/Fermentation/Diseases/Burning · Pesticide Usage Records · Pesticide Residue/Microbiological Test Report · Post-Harvest Product Temperature · Sorting/Pre-cooling/Storage History · Raw Material Lot · Cutting/Juicing/Puree/Freezing Processing History · Packaging Date · Best Before Date · Shipper · Returns/Claims · Repurchase

5. Korea Market & Demand Structure

Korean production statistics

In KOSIS, Korean melon is an independent item under vegetable production (fruit vegetables), and it is a crop subject to administrative surveys by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Official statistics on Korean melon production are compiled using cultivated area data from the Agricultural Area Survey and production per 10a surveyed by the Ministry. ( KOSIS )

statistical items

standard

National Korean melon cultivation area 2025Input after official verification of raw data
National Korean melon production per 10a 2025Input after official verification of raw data
National Korean melon production volume 2025Input after official verification of raw data
Seongju production share74% of 2024 national production , Gyeongsangbuk-do official announcement

North Gyeongsang Province officially announced that Seongju accounts for 74% of the national Korean melon production as of 2024. This figure demonstrates the high concentration of the Seongju production area within the Korean melon supply chain. ( North Gyeongsang Provincial Government )

Demand Structure

Customers

Purchase criteria

Cooperation opportunities

Agricultural Cooperatives and Production Area Distribution OrganizationsVariety, Farm, Grade, Shipment TimeJoint selection and joint sales
APCWeight, Appearance, Sweetness, and Sorting StandardsData Selection
wholesale marketGrade, Weight, Shipment Volume, and TimeShipment control
large martsStandards, Sweetness, Packaging, and Stable SupplyRegular supply
online platformHardness, Hardness, Delivery DurabilityExclusive packaging
Department Store · PremiumAppearance, Uniformity, BrandPremium Product
convenience storeSmall packaging, cut, and fruit cupsFresh-cut
School and public mealsSafety, Standards, and Delivery Cyclelocal agricultural products
institutional mealsUniformity, cooking convenience, delivery timeRegular procurement
Hotels and RestaurantsSweetness, Aroma, and SpecificationsDesserts and Fruits
Cafe · DessertFlesh, aroma, and processabilitySeasonal menu
Juice companyJuice yield, aroma, and sweetnessNon-products and utilization
HMR and dessert manufacturingPuree · Cutting · FreezingProcessed raw materials
PBOrigin, Variety, StoryRegional PB
exportersRipness, Hardness, Freshness, PackagingProduction exclusively for export
Research InstituteStorage · Cold Damage · Sorting · Smart FarmPRP
Seed companyVariety, Fruit Characteristics, Disease ResistanceVariety Collaboration
6. Trade & Supply-chain Intelligence

step

Key variables

Operational judgment

Seeds and seedlingsVariety, Rootstock, and Seedling QualityProduction starting point
Facility productionHouse · Fruit Set · Crop ConditionsSupply forecast
Procurement from production areasFarm · APC · GradeProvider Pool
harvestRipness, Sweetness, Harvest DateProduct life
SelectionWeight, Appearance, SweetnessBuyer Spec
packagingBuffering, Standards, UnitsDistribution loss
Domestic logisticsTemperature, time, and vibrationFreshness
saveLow temperature damage · periodShelf-life
exportQuarantine, Packaging, and Transportation PeriodExport Spec
processCutting · Puree · Juice · FreezingReduction in non-product rates
RFQQuantity, Grade, Delivery DateMatch
RepurchaseReturns, Claims, QualityRepeat trading

Exports and Trade

Whether the Korean melon falls under the fresh melon category must be verified in the current Customs Service HSK, and the HS is not arbitrarily determined based solely on the domestic product name of the Korean melon.

item

Operating Principles

Fresh Korean Melon HSInput after final verification of current Korea Customs Service HSK detailed item descriptions
Major categories of melons0807 Series Review
Fresh fruitSeparation from processed products
Cutting and freezingHS codes separate by processing state
Juice and PureeSeparate food HS
satelliteSeparate for seed collection and sowing
Export volumeInput after verifying raw data from the Korea Customs Service
export valueVerified by the same HS and product form
exporting countryVerification of official customs data
Customs clearance unit priceCheck quantity, amount, and product condition
QuarantineVerify target country's import requirements and plant quarantine
FTACheck by HS and Rules of Origin
refrigerated logisticsManagement of product temperature, ripeness, and transportation time
CA LogisticsApplied according to export purpose and testing basis
7. Processing, By-products & PRP Intelligence

Products and processes

Key conditions

RFQ conversion

Fresh fruitVariety, Ripeness, Sweetness, AppearanceOrigin RFQ
Selection andWeight, Color, DefectsRetail
small packagingQuantity, Weight, PackagingOnline · Mart
Gift setPremium appearance and uniformityDepartment Stores · Private Brands
For school mealsSize, Safety, Delivery TimeSchool Meal RFQ
For exportRipening, Hardness, Packaging, Low Temperature DamageExport RFQ
Cutting andWashing, cutting, microorganismsConvenience Stores · HMR
Cup fruitRefrigeration and use-by dateB2C
JuicingJuice yield, color, aromaBeverage
PureeSweetness, aroma, and viscosityDesserts and Sauces
frozen fruit fleshRapid freezing and thawing characteristicsProcessed raw materials
Dried Korean MelonMoisture, color, textureSnack
powderParticle size, scent, moisturefood materials
Non-commercial products andFood safety complianceRFQ for processing
Selection exclusion departmentSeparation by defect causeProduct Recovery
pericarpSafety, Ingredients, and Pesticide ResiduesMaterials Research
Seeds and placentaFood, feed, and extraction possibilitiesPRP verification
wasteDecay and Disease DivisionCompost and waste reduction

Non-products and principles

We do not convert all non-marketable products into raw materials for processing.

Defective appearance/Substandard → Safety confirmed → Processable
Spoilage/Disease/Fertilization/Uncertain safety → Excluded as food ingredient

Separate into.

PRP — Product Research Profile

PRP ID

Product Research Profile

PRP-KME-01Korean Melon – Melon Plant/Product Separation System
PRP-KME-02Variety–Fruit Set–Ripening Mapping
PRP-KME-03Facility Environment – ​​Growth – Fruit Set Rate
PRP-KME-04Pollination – Fertilization – Marketable yield
PRP-KME-05Irrigation · EC – Sugar content · Fruit enlargement
PRP-KME-06Relationship between harvest ripeness, sugar content, and hardness
PRP-KME-07Harvest season – Domestic shelf life
PRP-KME-08Harvest Time – CA Export Quality
PRP-KME-09Cold Storage – Bone Browning Relationship
PRP-KME-10Hydrothermal Treatment · MA Packaging – Suppression of Low-Temperature Damage
PRP-KME-11Origin Selection – Online Return Rate
PRP-KME-12Non-destructive quality sorting
PRP-KME-13Non-marketable products – Puree and juice processing yield
PRP-KME-14Fresh-cut Korean melon microorganisms · Shelf-life
PRP-KME-15Korean Melon Freezing and Thawing Quality
PRP-KME-16Utilization of fruit peels and seed by-products
PRP-KME-17Domestic–Export Buyer Spec Comparison
PRP-KME-18Buyer Spec–Variety–Harvest AI Match
8. AX Transformation

first of all

Execution item

Performance indicators

1Variety, Cultivation Type, House, Fruit Set Date, Harvest Date, and Lot are mandatory.Required input rate
2Separation of Fresh, Export, Cutting, and Processed ProductsProduct identification rate
3Connecting outdoor conditions, facility temperature and humidity, solar radiation, irrigation, and growthEnvironmental data connection rate
4Linking the Pollination, Fruit Set, Fruit Enlargement, and Harvest DatasetsNegligence tracking rate
5Data conversion of sorting, sugar content, hardness, certificates, and storage historyQuality Lot Completion Rate
6Producer–APC–Distributor–Buyer RFQ ConnectionMatch rate
7Video AI measurement of growth and fruit setFruit set measurement accuracy
8AI pest diagnosisEarly detection rate
9AI Size and Color Screening for Negligence VideosAutomatic sorting accuracy
10Non-destructive sweetness and internal quality screeningActual measurement error
11Harvest date predictionActual harvest date error
12Production volume forecastYield error per house
13Prediction of cold damage riskIncidence of bone browning
14Smart Storage & CA LogisticsArrival rate
15Optimization of parcel packagingOnline damage and return rates
16Non-marketable and processed goods matchFood conversion rate
17AI Buyer MatchSample approval rate
18TraceabilityFinished Product → House Traceability
19Repurchase RuntimeBuyer repurchase rate
9. Industry Problem Bank

Problem group

Problem Definition

Required data

Mixing Melon and EntityConfusion in product structure due to belonging to the same species familyTaxonomy·Product
Disconnection of variety informationLack of connection between seed, production, and qualityVariety·Seed
Facility environment deviationDifferences in temperature, humidity, and solar radiation by houseEnvironment
Moisture managementExcessive or insufficient watering affects growth and qualityIrrigation
Modification instabilityImpact of pollination, weather, and facility environmentPollination
Fruit set deviationFruit set, location, and uneven growthFruit Set
Insufficient growth and yield predictionDifficulty in predicting shipment volume in advanceGrowth·Yield
pestsBurden of spread and control within the facilityPest/Disease
Physiological disordersHeat, fermentation, deformities, and developmentEnvironment·Fruit
Sugar content variationBuyer quality deviationBrix·Irrigation
Difference in maturityMixed early and overripe harvestsHarvest Stage
Concentration in mountainous areasHigh proportion of Seongju impacts regional riskRegional Supply
Concentration of supply during the harvest seasonPrice, sorting, and logistics burdensHarvest Forecast
Selection deviationQuality evaluation based on appearanceSorting
Limitations of internal quality verificationLack of non-destructive testingSensor·Quality
Insufficient temperature controlDiscontinuity of temperature history after harvestTemperature
Low temperature damageBone browning during long-term low-temperature storageStorage
damaged deliveryDamage and breakage when online sales expandPackaging
Lack of specifications for processed raw materialsLack of standards for safe processing conversion with non-marketablesProcessing Spec
Non-products and wasteInsufficient recovery of value from non-productsBy-product
Export maturity discrepancyDomestic sales maturity and export conditions differExport Quality
Lack of CA application informationOptimization of harvest time and transportation conditions is necessaryCA Dataset
export logistics costsAir and Ship Cost GapLogistics
Discontinuation of test reportsDispersion of safety information among farms, APCs, and buyersCOA
Discrepancy between contract farming and shipmentDifference between planned volume and actual volume by gradeContract
Buyer evaluation non-recoveryReturns and claims are not reflected in the next cultivationEvaluation
Insufficient repurchase dataDifficulty in identifying actual repeat buyersRepurchase
10. Farmer RFQ & Collaboration Model

RFQ Type

Public Registration

Verify/NDA

Korean melon procurement from the production areaVariety, Region, Shipment DateFarm, Volume, Unit Price
Fresh fruit salesVariety, Grade, RegionStock · Price · Lot
Buying fresh fruitWeight, Sweetness, GradeTarget Price · MOQ
Regular supplyProduct · Period · CycleActual quantity and unit price
contract farmingVariety, Cultivation Type, RegionArea, Estimated Quantity, Price
Premium selection andGeneral Quality SpecSugar content, hardness, and sample
Online onlySudokdo·PajeonReturn rate and packaging conditions
Gift setAppearance and uniformityUnit Price · Packaging · Delivery Time
For school mealsSafety and StandardsTest Reports and Quantity
Dining & HotelSweetness and sizeDelivery cycle
Cup fruitFresh-cut styleMicroorganisms and expiration dates
Juice ingredientsNon-standard safety andJuice Yield · Price
Puree ingredientsSweetness and aromaProcessing yield
frozen ingredientsPreprocessing typeProcessing conditions
PBOrigin, Variety, BrandMOQ · Contract
local specialtiesSeongju and other production areas · ProductProducer/Processor
exportCountry, Standard, Harvest MaturityQuarantine, Unit Price, and Quantity
CA LogisticsTransport Period · Destination CountryProcess, Cost, and Performance
Technology demonstrationSmart Farm · Sorting · StorageTest Dataset
Research cooperationVariety, Growth, Storage, ExportResearch data
Utilization of by-productsPericarp, seeds, and non-marketable fruitSafety and Process
11. RFQ Request First

① Need Products & Materials

Companies and institutions seeking necessary products, agricultural products, raw materials, and processed goods register purchasing demands. Registered requests are utilized to review cooperation with potential suppliers and producers based on the RFQ Intelligence Library.

Process:
RFQ Registration → Supplier/Product Review → Collaboration Connection → Future AI Matching

Register


② We are looking for production and manufacturing partners. (Need Suppliers & Manufacturers)

Register a request to find necessary production and supply partners, ranging from farms and producer organizations to processing companies, OEM, ODM, and private label manufacturers.

Process:
RFQ Registration → Review of Production & Manufacturing Capabilities → Collaboration Connection → Future AI Partner Matching

Register


③ We are looking for domestic and international buyers. (Need Buyers)

Farmers, producer organizations, and manufacturing companies are requesting cooperation with new buyers, such as domestic and international distributors, importers, brand companies, and food service and catering businesses.

Process:
RFQ Registration → Product & Supply Capability Review → Market & Buyer Connection → Future AI Buyer Matching

Register

Contact : mail@markethub.org

Version History

Version

Main contents

situation

v1.0Plant Identity · Melon Relationship · Facility Production · Quality · Fresh Distribution · Processing · Export · RFQ Basic Structure Registrationcomplete
v1.1Verification of raw data for 2025 production, region, price, and import/export formulasexpected
v2.0Detailed quality specifications for Variety, House, Ripness, Sugar Content, Hardness, Online, Fresh-cut, and Export Productsexpected
v3.0Producer–APC–Processing–Distribution–Export–Buyer Verified Container Combinationexpected