Yanggu County Begins Shipping "High-Sugar Strawberries"
Significant Expansion of Cultivation Area
Strawberries, which are rapidly emerging as a lucrative winter crop in Yanggu County, Gangwon Province, have officially begun shipping to market.
In particular, the completion of the regionally specialized lease-type smart farm in Yanggu County last month (November) has significantly expanded the cultivation base. As a result, the total strawberry cultivation area this year is expected to reach 2.2 hectares, with an estimated production of about 135 tons. This marks a substantial increase in both cultivation area and output compared to last year, when four farms cultivated 0.8 hectares and produced approximately 25 tons.
This expansion is attributed to the advancement of cultivation technology and increased productivity following the completion of the lease-type smart farm. It is expected to establish a stable production base for high-quality Yanggu strawberries and further strengthen their market competitiveness.
Yanggu strawberries are grown in a pristine environment, nourished by clean air and clear water. Moreover, the significant temperature fluctuations unique to the Yanggu climate contribute to their sweet aroma, high sugar content, and firm flesh, giving them a quality advantage over strawberries produced in other regions.
With full-scale shipments now underway, Yanggu strawberries will be distributed through a variety of channels, including the Yanggu Premium Center, Garak Agricultural and Marine Products Market, Nonghyup Hanaro Mart, direct sales, and online platforms. Some farms also plan to offer strawberry picking experiences.
To ensure the production of high-quality strawberries, Yanggu County has invested a total of 20 billion won to establish the regionally specialized lease-type smart farm. In addition, to reduce the burden of winter heating costs in northern Gangwon, the county is implementing a joint-use low-carbon energy facility project utilizing geothermal energy, with a total investment of 4 billion won. This is expected to significantly help farmers reduce their management expenses.
Furthermore, the county is actively supporting farmers by supplying seedlings, installing high-bed cultivation facilities, providing strawberry packaging materials, and modernizing horticultural facilities. It is also strengthening farmer capabilities and ensuring stable production through education on soil management, eco-friendly agriculture, and pest and disease control.
In addition, in 2026, the county plans to launch a pilot project for strawberry seedling cultivation to produce and supply high-quality, superior strawberry seedlings. This initiative is expected to create new income sources for farmers and contribute greatly to the stable supply of strawberry seedlings to local farms.
Kim Sanghun, Director of the Yanggu County Agricultural Technology Center, stated, "Yanggu strawberries are enhancing their quality competitiveness based on a pristine cultivation environment and systematic technical support. We will continue to strengthen the foundation for stable production and distribution, foster Yanggu as a leading winter strawberry-producing region, and provide ongoing support to help increase farmers' incomes in a meaningful way."
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