Efforts to Expand Southeast Asia Exports Starting with Hong Kong Exports
Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Lee Sang-cheol) announced that 'Gokseong Melon' has officially begun pioneering the Southeast Asian market, starting with its first export to Hong Kong on the 26th of this year.
The Gokseong Nonghyup Agricultural Products Distribution Center and Greenville, a specialized agricultural export company, signed an export contract, and the quantity exported to Hong Kong this time amounts to approximately 6.4 tons, packed in 800 boxes of 8kg each.
Currently, about 324 farms cultivate melons on approximately 135 hectares in Gokseong-gun. Through planned production, joint sorting, and completion of customized technical training, they produce stable quantities with uniform taste and consistent quality.
Thanks to the continuous efforts of the farmers and Gokseong-gun, Gokseong Melon is recognized as a top-quality product domestically. It is actively traded in wholesale markets and large department stores nationwide, including Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Guri, and Cheonan, as well as online. Additionally, it is exported annually to overseas markets such as Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore.
A county official stated, "Starting with the export of Gokseong Melon to Hong Kong this year, we plan to expand and discover new overseas export countries. We aim to promote the reputation of Gokseong Melon worldwide and contribute to increasing the income of producing farmers through this."
Gokseong Melon was registered under the 'Geographical Indication' system in November last year. The 'Geographical Indication' system recognizes that the quality of agricultural products is attributable to the characteristics of a specific region and certifies that the product was produced in that region.
It is the first melon crop in the country to successfully register under the Geographical Indication system, establishing 'Gokseong Melon' as a brand that guarantees not only quality but also trust to consumers.
Gokseong = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Cha Jong-seon hss79@asiae.co.kr
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