On the 9th, 20 tons of 'Ganghwa Island Rice' destined for export to Canada are being loaded into containers at the Ganghwa County Nonghyup Rice Cooperative Joint Business Corporation (RPC) plaza. [Photo by Incheon City]
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] 'Ganghwaseom Rice,' Incheon's representative brand of rice, has embarked on its export route to Canada.
On the 9th, Incheon City held a loading ceremony for 20 tons of 'Ganghwaseom Rice' at the Ganghwa County Nonghyup Rice Cooperative Joint Business Corporation (RPC) plaza. This rice is scheduled to be exported to Canada via Busan Port on the 12th.
'Ganghwaseom Rice' is grown in the clean area of Ganghwa Island, free from pollution-causing businesses, benefiting from abundant sunlight and sea breeze, in paddies rich in microorganisms and magnesium. It is highly regarded domestically for its quality and excellent taste.
It is planned to be sold to the Korean community through six major supermarkets in eastern Canada, with an additional 40 tons scheduled for export in two shipments next year.
This export was made possible following the 'Incheon Regional Agricultural Products Canada Export Agreement' signed last October between Incheon City, Ganghwa County, and Galleria KFT, a distribution logistics company in Vancouver, Canada.
The city expects that pioneering new export markets amid falling rice prices will somewhat alleviate farmers' concerns.
Kim Young-yoon, CEO of RPC, expressed, "We will prepare to ensure there are no disruptions in the production and distribution of high-quality 'Ganghwaseom Rice' through cooperation between farmers and the Nonghyup, and strive to increase exports."
An Incheon City official stated, "This is the first time Incheon is exporting 'Ganghwaseom Rice' to Canada. We hope for a positive response locally," adding, "We will work to expand domestic sales channels and export to various countries overseas, starting with Canada."
Meanwhile, on the 2nd, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok met with Minister Jeong Hwang-geun of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to request an expansion of the scope of overseas export logistics cost support to encourage exports from farmers in the Incheon region.
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