Record High Export Volume This Year... Contract Signed with Hong Kong Korean Distribution Company
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Dong-wook] Despite the crisis caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), demand for apples from the Pohang region has significantly increased overseas, especially centered on Hong Kong.
Although there have been occasional export cases in the past, it is rare to consistently send apples abroad as much as this year, so local farmers are excited about this unexpected boom.
According to Pohang City on the 3rd, apple exports to the Hong Kong area have surged this year, achieving a record high with 40 tons and 200 million KRW in sales as of the 2nd.
In a situation where domestic consumption is shrinking severely, Pohang City highly expects that the record-high apple export performance will serve as a catalyst to revitalize the rural economy.
Pohang, one of the top 10 apple-producing regions in Korea, produces more than 19,000 tons of apples annually over an area of 1,100 hectares (11 km², about 332,700 pyeong). In particular, apples from the West Pohang area (Gigae, Jukjang, Gibuk) have been praised for their good texture and a balanced ratio of sweetness and sourness, making them perfect for Southeast Asian tastes.
Oh Joo-hoon, head of the Agricultural Food Distribution Division of Pohang City, said, "As a result of considerable efforts to expand fresh agricultural product exports, we successfully signed an export contract with a Korean distribution company that operates about 20 stores in downtown Hong Kong in March this year," adding, "It is expected that about 100 tons of apples will be exported by the end of the year."
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