Naju City, Specialty Naju Pear 'Wonhwang' First Export to the United States This Year

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Yukbong] The specialty product of Naju City, Jeollanam-do, ‘Naju Pear’ has embarked on its first export journey to the United States this year.

The city announced on the 9th that it held a loading event for early-ripening pears being exported to the U.S. in cooperation with the Naju Pear Horticultural Agricultural Cooperative.

The pear variety opening the export route is ‘Wonhwang’ (園黃), the earliest harvested pear in Naju. Wonhwang is a domestically developed variety known for its rich juice and a harmonious balance of sour and sweet flavors, resulting in a high sugar content and excellent sweetness.

The export volume is about 70 tons, similar to last year, with an overall export target set at approximately 2,300 tons for this year. Following Wonhwang, exports of other domestically developed varieties such as ‘Sinhwa’ and ‘Changjo’ are planned.

The city has been making efforts to diversify export channels through farmer support projects such as ‘Naju Pear Brand Export Packaging,’ ‘Agricultural Product Export Logistics Costs,’ and ‘Pest Traps for Naju Pear Export Specialized Complex,’ as well as initiatives like ‘Naju Pear Export Specialized Complex Development’ and ‘Overseas Promotional Events.’

The event took place at the export dock of the Naju Pear Distribution Center located in Budeok-dong, attended by Mayor Yoon Byung-tae, National Assembly member Shin Jeong-hoon, City Council Chairman Lee Sang-man, Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) President Kim Chun-jin, Gwangju Director of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency Baek Sang-han, and Nonghyup Trade CEO Ji Joon-seop, among others.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, “Although the Chuseok holiday came earlier than usual, advancing the export schedule, I thank the farmers and related personnel for their efforts in timely harvesting and meticulous sorting work. Unlike last year, due to less cold damage and pest infestations, production is expected to increase by about 45%, and we will do our best to stabilize domestic prices and secure export channels.”

Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Yukbong baekok@asiae.co.kr