"Queen of Fruits Eaten with the Skin"... Haenam Fig Harvest in Full Swing

Strengthening Shipping Quality Through Eco-Friendly Certification and Joint Selection

The harvest of greenhouse figs, a specialty crop of Haenam-gun in South Jeolla Province, has begun in earnest.

According to Haenam-gun on August 5, this year, 30 farms in the region are cultivating greenhouse figs on a total area of 31 hectares. The production uses a hydroponic system equipped with the latest greenhouse facilities.

Facilities figs, a local specialty crop that is eaten with the skin, are being harvested in Haenam County, Jeonnam. Photo by Haenam County

Haenam greenhouse figs are clean enough to be eaten with their skin, and are evaluated as being of the highest quality nationwide due to their high sugar content and dense flesh. In particular, since they are grown inside greenhouses, they are not affected by external environmental factors, resulting in excellent appearance and higher sugar content compared to open-field cultivation. As a result, they are traded at higher prices.

Generally, figs are harvested from mid-August to November, but greenhouse cultivation allows the harvest season to start earlier, from mid-July, and extend until December. The county explained that this has expanded the supply period of fresh figs and provided a stable income base for local farmers.

Most fig farms in Haenam have received eco-friendly certification, and through joint work, they strictly apply standards for sugar content and weight before shipping. The harvested figs are sold directly and through the Haenam-gun online shopping mall 'Haenam Miso,' and are also processed into products such as jam, dried figs, vinegar, and juice.

Figs, known as the 'queen of fruits,' are said to have been enjoyed by Cleopatra and are gaining attention as an alkaline health food with anti-cancer properties. They are also rich in fiber and protein-degrading enzymes, which help improve digestion and prevent aging. In addition, their high content of plant-based cholesterol and potassium is known to be effective in preventing high blood pressure and adult diseases.

A county official stated, "Haenam figs grown in greenhouse facilities are of much higher quality than open-field figs and are sold as a representative local specialty of Haenam," adding, "With same-day delivery, fresh figs can be enjoyed anywhere in the country."