18 Tons Shipped on the 4th... Targeting 200 Tons This Year
County Strengthens Budget and Administrative Support for Agricultural Exports
On the 4th, Damyang County held the "2025 Damyang Rice France Export Loading Ceremony" at the Damyang Integrated RPC in Bongsan-myeon, together with the Damyang Nonghyup Rice Cooperative Joint Business Corporation. Photo by Damyang County
Damyang Rice, the signature agricultural product of Damyang County in South Jeolla Province, has been exported to France for the second consecutive year.
On June 4, Damyang County announced that it held the "2025 Damyang Rice France Export Loading Ceremony" at the Damyang Integrated RPC in Bongsan-myeon, together with the Damyang Nonghyup Rice Cooperative Joint Business Corporation.
The event was attended by approximately 30 people, including Jeong Cheolwon, the governor of Damyang County, Jang Myeongyeong, the chairperson of the Damyang County Council, and Kim Beomjin, the chairperson of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, with 18 tons of "Abundant Damyang Rice" being loaded for export.
Since 2023, Damyang Rice has been exported to countries such as France, the Czech Republic, the United States, and Vietnam, continuing to expand its presence in overseas markets. This year, the county aims to export 200 tons exclusively to France, with the export value expected to reach 4.6 billion KRW. To support rice exports this year, the county has allocated a budget of 515 million KRW for logistics and packaging materials, actively promoting the overseas expansion of local agricultural products.
This export is being handled by NH Nonghyup Trading, while local imports are managed by Ace Food, a distribution company headquartered in Paris, France. Ace Food operates more than 40 Asian food stores in France and supplies food ingredients to over 200 Korean restaurants. The company expressed high satisfaction with the quality of Damyang Rice and decided to continue its import contract this year.
Governor Jeong Cheolwon stated, "The quality of Damyang Rice is being recognized in the European market," and added, "We will continue to pioneer overseas markets and provide administrative support to enhance farmers' incomes and strengthen the competitiveness of the rice industry."
Meanwhile, the Damyang Nonghyup Rice Cooperative Joint Business Corporation, established in 2021, is an organization composed of seven local agricultural cooperatives. Centered around the Damyang Integrated RPC, it specializes in milling and distributing both eco-friendly and conventional rice. As of last year, rice sales reached approximately 34 billion KRW, supplying stably to school meal programs, food processing companies, and major retailers such as GS Retail and Coupang.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
