'First Bell' Awakens Winter... Cheongsong County Agricultural Products Wholesale Market Holds Opening Auction Ceremony This Year

The march of red jewels has begun-the sound of the first Cheongsong apple auction of 2026 resonated in Cheongsong.

2026 Cheongsong County Agricultural Products Wholesale Market Opening Ceremony. Provided by Cheongsong County

On January 5, Cheongsong County in North Gyeongsang Province, led by Governor Yoon Kyunghee, held the "2026 Cheongsong County Agricultural Products Wholesale Market Opening Ceremony" to celebrate the new year of Byeong-o and to wish for the revitalization of the local apple industry, a key sector of the regional economy, as well as to pledge the activation of agricultural product distribution.

Over 100 people attended the event, including Cheongsong County Governor Yoon Kyunghee, County Council Chair Shim Sanghyu, provincial and county council members, heads of local institutions, farmers, and intermediate wholesalers. They prayed for a bountiful year and the well-being of the market. With the energetic ringing of the auctioneer’s bell, the first auction of the new year commenced.

During this opening ceremony, an auction was held for 6,479 boxes (20kg each) of late-harvest Fuji apples from the 2025 crop. The average price per box was 98,295 won, with the highest winning bid reaching 405,000 won, signaling a vibrant start to the year.

Since its opening in November 2019, the Cheongsong County Agricultural Products Wholesale Market has served as a hub for the distribution of local agricultural products. In particular, the average market price of late-harvest Fuji apples has shown an upward trend, forming a higher price range compared to the previous year, which is raising expectations for a tangible increase in the income of local producers.

A county official stated, "We deeply appreciate the dedication of farmers and distribution partners who have produced high-quality apples and ensured smooth distribution despite challenging conditions such as climate change. Moving forward, we will continue to strengthen the brand competitiveness of Cheongsong apples and improve the distribution environment so that farm incomes can be substantially increased by focusing our administrative capabilities."