Pohang 'Sangok Tomato' Achieves Honor as Government-Designated Export Agricultural Specialty Production Complex

'Gyeongbuk-do's First' Government-Designated Export Agricultural Products Specialized Production Complex Selected

Focusing on Vegetables and Grains, Targeting Overseas Niche Markets for Agricultural Products Growth

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dong-guk Lee] Pohang City announced on the 23rd that Pohang Sangok tomatoes have been selected as a ‘Government-Designated Export Agricultural Specialized Production Complex’ in the 2023 Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs export sector public contest.

The selection as a government-designated export agricultural specialized production complex is the ‘first’ for Pohang City and the ‘first in Gyeongbuk Province’ for the tomato crop.

On the 23rd, Mayor Lee Kang-deok of Pohang encouraged the farmers of Sangok-ri, Jukjang-myeon, and the employees of the Agricultural Products Distribution Division.

The government-designated export agricultural specialized production complex is selected by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs based on a comprehensive evaluation of export performance over the past three years (export amount, growth rate), production infrastructure (complex size, contract cultivation, joint sorting, distribution facilities, etc.), export potential of the product, and the export willingness of participating farmers.

Once selected as a government-designated export specialized complex, it receives more than 100 million KRW annually in project funds depending on yearly evaluations, supporting quality control facilities (collection, pre-cooling, sorting machines, etc.), modernization of production environment, facility repair and maintenance, equipment purchase, education, and informatization support.

The ‘Sangok Tomato Export Agricultural Specialized Production Complex’ selected in this contest consists of 30 farms over 12 hectares located in Sangok-ri, Jukjang-myeon. Last year, it exported 70 tons to Japan, accounting for 96% of the total 73 tons exported from Gyeongbuk Province, growing into an overwhelmingly top export item, and it is expected to export 100 tons this year.

The city has strategically focused administrative efforts on cultivating fresh agricultural export specialized complexes and overseas marketing to expand agricultural exports and strengthen export capabilities.

While other cities and counties mainly pursue agricultural export expansion policies centered on fruits such as pears, apples, and grapes, Pohang has chosen vegetables and grains such as tomatoes, summer radishes, spinach, chives, napa cabbage, and rice to focus on niche overseas markets.

As a result, ‘summer radish’ in 2020, ‘Jukjang napa cabbage and cabbage’ in 2021, and ‘Pohang rice’ in 2022 were selected as preliminary export complexes of Gyeongbuk Province for three consecutive years, and this time Sangok tomatoes achieved the great success of being selected as a government-designated export agricultural specialized production complex.

Tomatoes from the Sangok area of Jukjang-myeon, Pohang, are cultivated and produced in a semi-highland area where the large temperature difference between day and night results in firm flesh, good storability, and a pleasant texture, receiving favorable reviews from overseas buyers.

Additionally, continuous overseas marketing such as maintaining uniform quality, active administrative guidance and support, buyer invitations, and overseas promotions have steadily increased exports.

Mayor Kang-deok Lee congratulated the selection of Pohang Sangok tomatoes as a government-designated export agricultural specialized production complex on the 23rd and held a meeting to encourage farmers in Sangok-ri, Jukjang-myeon, and employees of the Agricultural Food Distribution Division.

The mayor said, “Since expanding agricultural exports greatly contributes to stabilizing domestic prices and increasing farmers’ income, the selection as a government-designated export agricultural specialized production complex is very meaningful,” adding, “We will continue to discover diverse and differentiated policies to pioneer overseas markets and secure export competitiveness, striving to expand and revitalize agricultural product exports.”