Gyeongnam Nonghyup Holds Gyeongnam Export Agricultural Cooperative Council Executive Committee Meeting

Gyeongnam Nonghyup held the 2nd Operations Committee Meeting of 2024 on the 12th, attended by executives and presidents of the Gyeongnam Export Nonghyup Council.

During the meeting, participants shared an analysis of export performance for the first half of the year and the status and export trends of major items. Most importantly, they discussed countermeasures in response to the stagnation in export growth and the intensifying concentration on specific export countries and items.

Commemorative photo of the Gyeongnam Export Agricultural Cooperative Council Steering Committee. [Image provided by Gyeongnam Nonghyup]

As of the end of June 2024, Gyeongnam Nonghyup’s export performance reached 66 million dollars, a 4.3% decrease compared to the same period last year. While strawberries, a key export item for Gyeongnam, saw a 4.4% increase in export value due to the popularity of the Geumsil variety and strengthened overseas marketing, paprika exports decreased by 9.4% due to poor harvests caused by abnormal weather, crop switching, and a weak yen.

To boost exports in the second half of the year, the council will strengthen export competitiveness through: ▲ fostering export-specialized organizations for each item within Nonghyup ▲ diversifying export markets through overseas market research ▲ enhancing product competitiveness at production sites and minimizing export claims ▲ supporting member export promotion activities ▲ responding to the abolition of export logistics costs, participating in policy and discovering agricultural support projects ▲ promoting collaboration with Gyeongsangnam-do and Gyeongnam Trade.

The council chairman stated, “Although the cultivation area for major export items is decreasing and farming material costs are rising due to the aging farming population and labor shortages?thus increasing the burden on farmers and making exports more challenging?we must work together with the administration and export companies to ensure that the export drive of agricultural exporters does not falter.”

Director Cho Geunsoo said, “Regardless of domestic price fluctuations, it is important to ensure a stable supply of export volumes and diversify export markets,” and added, “We will meticulously support the export field to achieve tangible results in export revitalization.”