Damyang Mountain Strawberries Enter New York Premium Market

First U.S. Export This Year, Full-Scale Entry into the Global Market

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do announced on the 16th that it held a loading ceremony for strawberries destined for export to the United States at the Changpyeong Nonghyup Sanji Distribution Center on the 15th.

The loading ceremony was attended by Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Young-rok, Jeonnam Agricultural Research and Extension Services Director Park Hong-jae, Nonghyup Central Association Jeonnam Regional Headquarters Director Park Jong-tak, Changpyeong Nonghyup Chairman Jeong Won-sil, Changpyeong Saebyeok Isul Strawberry Joint Sorting and Shipping Association Representative Yoon Il-ho, Gwangsu Agricultural Cooperative Corporation CEO Kim Hyun-sung, and Korea Bio Healthcare Technology Research Association Vice Chairman Park Jin-sung.

Damyang strawberries are known for their taste and sweetness, resulting in domestic distribution prices higher than other regions, making it difficult to secure quantities for export. However, to ensure stable distribution channels, Damyang-gun, producers, and export companies actively cooperated to achieve this.

The strawberries shipped this time are 100 kg of the first batch out of 1,000 kg intended for export to the United States, and they are scheduled to be delivered to premium markets in the eastern United States.

Strawberry exports are challenging due to high logistics costs from air transport and low distribution safety, but positive local responses to Korean strawberries are expected to lead to continuous expansion of exports.

County Governor Lee Byung-no said, “Last year, Damyang-gun developed the Jukhyang and Mary Queen varieties, signed a trade contract with Jordisa in the United States, and is pursuing U.S. plant variety protection applications. These multifaceted efforts to expand Damyang strawberry exports have yielded results.” He added, “We will actively support establishing various export strategies to globalize Damyang strawberries and increase farmers’ incomes.”