'Yeosu Dolsan Gat', Production Volume and Sales Increase... Playing a Key Role as a Local Economic Driver

Yeosu 'Bom Gat' Production Up 11% and Sales Up 63% Compared to Same Period Last Year (Feb-May) Due to COVID-19

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Dolsan Gat, a representative specialty product of Yeosu City (Mayor Kwon Oh-bong), is playing a solid supporting role in the local economy amid the difficulties caused by COVID-19.

According to Yeosu City, from February to May, a four-month period during which COVID-19 was spreading worldwide, 9,742 tons of Dolsan Gat were produced, an 11% increase compared to the previous year (8,791 tons).

Sales amounted to 8.46 billion KRW, a 63% increase compared to 5.2 billion KRW the previous year. The average sales price was 877 KRW per kg over the four months, a 48% increase compared to last year’s four-month average of 591 KRW, driving the rise in sales revenue.

This year, despite some Dolsan Gat losing marketability due to early flower stalk emergence caused by higher-than-average temperatures and severe day-night temperature differences, as well as pest outbreaks and work delays caused by frequent rainfall leading to partial disposal, sales increased due to the impact of COVID-19.

The city analyzed that social distancing practices led to more than a 1.5-fold increase in orders for Gat Kimchi at home compared to usual years, resulting in a shortage of fresh Gat, higher prices, and an expansion of the spring Gat cultivation area and production volume.

A city official stated, “We will disseminate information on pest outbreaks and proper control methods to farmers and strengthen on-site guidance for timely harvesting of Dolsan Gat,” adding, “We hope for much love and interest in our local agricultural products and ‘Dolsan Gat,’ which play a key role in the local economy.”

Since three years ago, the city has been developing Dolsan Gat seeds that are highly resistant to diseases during high temperatures and have delayed flower stalk emergence, and plans to apply for variety registration in 4 to 5 years after testing seed uniformity and productivity.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.