Haenam-gun Begins Full-Scale Shipment of Mini Chestnut Pumpkins Grown in the Air

High Sugar Content and Superior Quality, Popular Among Consumers

[Haenam＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] Jeonnam Haenam-gun announced on the 18th that it has started harvesting the regionally representative specialty crop, aerially cultivated mini night pumpkins.

The Haenam night pumpkin, which fits perfectly in one hand, is more nutritious than regular mini kabocha pumpkins and is rich in beta-carotene, vitamins B1, B2, and C, making it wildly popular as a food for cold prevention, skin beauty, and dieting.

It is also processed and sold in various products such as roasted night pumpkin, steamed dishes, lattes, and bread.

Farmers who harvest early start from mid-May, while general cultivation farmers begin harvesting from late May. After a ripening period of about a week post-harvest, the pumpkins are introduced to consumers nationwide.

The Haenam mini kabocha pumpkin, named "Bam Hobak" (Night Pumpkin) because of its sweet taste like chestnuts, has become a premium specialty product recognized nationwide among kabocha pumpkins.

Haenam’s night pumpkins are cultivated in facilities using nets for aerial cultivation, so the fruit does not touch the ground, resulting in clean and high-quality products with a solid reputation.

Since designating the mini night pumpkin as a county specialty crop in 2005, the county has been focusing on building a stable production base including production, processing, and distribution. As of 2022, about 300 farms cultivate night pumpkins on 80 hectares within the county, generating an annual income of around 20 billion KRW, establishing it as an important source of income for farmers.

Additionally, the Haenam Agricultural Technology Center has, through standardization projects for agricultural product processing technology, been the first in the world to identify that Haenam mini kabocha contains a large amount of resistant starch, and is pursuing registration as a functional food ingredient for weight control efficacy, expecting future added value creation effects.

Bang Geum-ok, a farmer cultivating night pumpkins in Gyegok-myeon, stated, “This year, due to favorable weather and increased sunlight, we will be able to present high-quality, delicious night pumpkins to customers.”

A county official said, “We will seek new opportunities for the regional economy through research and development of agricultural specialty materials using local agricultural products such as mini kabocha pumpkins, development of functional foods, establishment of human and material governance, industrial convergence, and agricultural entrepreneurship.”

Haenam=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun kh0424@asiae.co.kr

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