'Philippine Bananas' Displayed on Nonghyup Mart Shelves... Farmers Are Angry

Jeonnam Yeonggwang Hanaro Mart Commission Store Banana Sales

Imported Whiteleg Shrimp Also Sold at Nearby Hanaro Mart

Mart Official: "Inevitable Due to Sales Competition with Other Marts"

It is controversial that the Nonghyup, whose primary mission is to protect and enhance the competitiveness of our agricultural products from the flood of imported agricultural products, still openly sells imported products.

On the 25th and 26th of last month, at a Nonghyup Hanaro Mart in Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do, imported fruits such as bananas were sold in one corner of the store, causing outrage among members and farmers.

Nonghyup operates Hanaro Mart to guarantee profits to members such as farmers through direct transactions of domestic products and to provide local residents with high-quality products at lower prices. However, there are criticisms that this meaning is being diminished by selling imported products here.

Imported bananas from the Philippines sold at a member agricultural cooperative in Gwangyang, Jeonnam.
[Photo by Yeonggwang County Farmers' Association]

In particular, in 2017, the Nonghyup Central Association requested that the ban on handling imported agricultural products at Hanaro Mart be observed, stating that handling imported agricultural products would greatly damage Nonghyup's image, credibility, and identity. However, this has still not been observed.

The store selling bananas and other items reportedly did so under the pretext of competing with nearby marts. Especially, it was converted into a commission store to increase profitability. The commission is 8% of the sales amount.

The store manager said, "Since many housewives visit, we had no choice but to compete with nearby marts," adding, "Domestic products are expensive and were neglected, and last year alone, we suffered an operating loss of 40 to 50 million won."

In response, one member pointed out, "When criticism that Nonghyup sells imported products intensifies, they resorted to the trick of claiming it is a commission store operated by an individual."

It is reported that this cooperative had promised not to handle imported products after being caught selling imported avocados and Chilean grapes to members 3 to 4 years ago.

In response, a nearby resident complained, "You can easily buy various imported fruits at regular marts or fruit stores," adding, "Why does the Shintoburi Nonghyup have to step in and sell imported fruits? I really don't understand the reason behind this."

Members and local farmers' associations demanded a written pledge from the cooperative head by the 7th not to sell imported fruits.

At another Hanaro Mart seafood store in Yeonggwang-eup, imported products such as Ecuadorian white shrimp also occupied space. Carnations for Teacher's Day were also all imported.

When asked about the handling of imported seafood, the store manager avoided a direct answer, saying, "There are no imported seafood products," and "Let's talk again later."

On the 6th, the seafood section at Yeonggwang Nonghyup Hanaro Mart. Shrimp and other items are imported from Ecuador.
[Photo by Kim Geonwan yacht@]

Imported fruits handled by member cooperatives in the Yeonggwang area have so far been confirmed to include bananas, pineapples, cherries, oranges, mangoes, and kiwis.

In addition, member cooperatives in the Gwangyang area of Jeollanam-do also handled imported fruits, and controversy arose when a protesting farmer member was accused of obstructing business.

Meanwhile, the Yeonggwang County Farmers' Association and Women's Farmers' Association will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. in front of the Nonghyup Yeonggwang County branch on the same day to condemn Nonghyup's sale of imported agricultural products. The farmers' organizations plan to state in their press release, "We will unite and fight until not only the Yeonggwang area but also all Nonghyup branches in Jeollanam-do and nationwide stop selling imported agricultural products."