18,000 Participants and 292 Tons Sold
Parcel Delivery Orders Up 47%, Growing Demand for Gwangju Kimchi
The "Bitgoeul Kimchi Making Contest" operated by Gwangju City achieved record-breaking sales of 2.08 billion won, marking the highest performance in its history.
At the Bitgoeul Kimchi Festival held in Gwangju, citizens wearing aprons are mixing kimchi. Photo by Gwangju City
On December 18, Gwangju City announced that approximately 18,000 participants, including institutions, organizations, and citizens, took part in the "2025 Bitgoeul Sharing Kimchi Making Contest," a citizen-participation event for kimchi sharing and sales. The event sold a total of 292.6 tons of kimchi, amounting to 2.08 billion won. This is the highest figure since the event was first held in 2014. Compared to last year's sales of 275 tons and 1.77 billion won, this year's sales amount increased by 17.3%.
The event was divided into year-round programs and the main event. The year-round kimchi making program, which began in April, attracted about 3,400 participants and recorded sales of 24 tons of kimchi, totaling 202.9 million won. The main event, held from November 28, saw approximately 14,000 participants and sold 268 tons of kimchi, amounting to 1.87 billion won.
There were also changes in distribution and participation methods. The value of kimchi ordered via parcel delivery increased by 47.1% compared to the previous year. Fifty-three institutions and organizations, including the Gwangju Regional Tax Office, donated 30.9 tons of kimchi to vulnerable groups.
The napa cabbage, salt, red pepper powder, and anchovy fish sauce used for the event were jointly purchased from agricultural producers in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions. A recipe jointly developed by the World Institute of Kimchi and a Presidential Award winner from the Kimchi Contest was applied. On-site mixed kimchi was supplied at 66,000 won per 10 kilograms, and pre-orders for weekends sold out early.
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