Gochang Sweet Potatoes on Special Sale at Shinsegae E-Mart Starting the 28th

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil] ‘Gochang Sweet Potatoes’ will be sold at Shinsegae E-Mart.

On the 26th, Gochang County announced that from the 28th, for 7 days, ‘Gochang Motnani King Sweet Potatoes (2kg per box)’ will be sold at all domestic E-Mart stores for 7,980 KRW.

This price is more than 30% cheaper compared to the regular chestnut sweet potato products currently sold at E-Mart.

Small and pretty bite-sized sweet potatoes are popular with consumers, but larger king/elongated sweet potatoes, so-called ‘Motnani sweet potatoes,’ have lower marketability and are mainly used for processing. King/elongated sweet potatoes account for 35% of total production, but due to limited sales channels, inventory is accumulating.

Although they are consumed through processing into dried sweet potatoes, powder, sticks, etc., demand still does not meet supply.

Furthermore, according to recent COVID-19 impacts such as school meal delays and sluggish food material businesses, sweet potato farmers have faced significant difficulties. In response, E-Mart urgently procured a total of 50,000 boxes (100 tons) of Gochang Motnani King Sweet Potatoes weighing 300~600g each.

Kim Gapgon, E-Mart vegetable buyer, said, “We plan to continue exploring various ways to support local farmers.”

In November last year, Gochang County also actively supports small-scale sweet potato farmers by signing a ‘Sweet Potato Processing Industry Win-Win Cooperation Agreement’ with Yoo Gi-sang, Gochang County Governor, Jo Gyu-cheol, Chairman of Gochang County Council, and Seo Jae-pil, CEO of Gochang Hwangtobaegi Clean Sweet Potato Cooperative Corporation.

A Gochang County official stated, “We will continue to do our utmost to prepare various projects that allow farmers and companies to coexist and widely promote the reputation of Korea’s leading sweet potato production area.”