'Win-Win Brand' Emart Launches Second Edition of Ugly Sweet Potatoes

Helping Gochang Sweet Potato Producers
On Sale at All Stores for 7 Days Starting the 28th

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Cha] Emart is once again stepping up to help struggling sweet potato farmers.

Emart announced on the 25th that it will sell 'Motnani Wang Sweet Potatoes (2kg)' grown in Gochang, one of Korea's representative sweet potato producing regions, at all Emart stores for 7 days starting from the 28th at 7,980 KRW. This price is more than 30% cheaper compared to the current chestnut sweet potato products sold at Emart.

Following last month's sale of Haenam Motnani sweet potatoes, Emart urgently procured 50,000 boxes, totaling 100 tons (t), of Motnani Wang sweet potatoes weighing 300 to 600g each to alleviate the difficulties faced by Gochang sweet potato farmers.

This is because sweet potato consumption has sharply declined due to sluggish food service and ingredient businesses this year, leaving sweet potatoes harvested in October last year in stock. In June, when temperatures soar above 30 degrees Celsius, sweet potatoes spoil quickly. They must be sold before the new sweet potato harvest begins in July so that farmers can launch the new crop without any issues.

In April, Emart, along with five affiliates including SSG.com and Emart Everyday, purchased and sold 300 tons of Haenam Motnani Wang sweet potatoes. Emart sold all 213 tons prepared over 6 days, SSG.com sold 7 tons in just 4 days, and Emart Everyday sold 12 tons in 2 days. Shinsegae TV Shopping purchased 65 tons and offered 10,000 sets of products combining Motnani and regular sweet potatoes, which sold out within 40 minutes of the broadcast, and they also urgently procured an additional 3,000 sets. Shinsegae Food purchased 3 tons and supported the effort by commercializing them as 'Sweet Potato Condensed Milk Bread.'

Through securing sales channels for Motnani sweet potatoes, Emart's sweet potato sales increased by 218.7% compared to the previous year during the period when 'Haenam Motnani Wang Sweet Potatoes' were sold.

Kim Gapgon, Emart's vegetable buyer, said, “Motnani potatoes and Motnani sweet potatoes, once overlooked products, have now become Emart’s fresh product competitiveness,” and added, “We plan to continue exploring various ways to support farmers.”