KGC Insamgongsa "This Year's Ginseng Production Hits Record High... 780kg per 1000㎡"

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] KGC Ginseng Corporation's purchase of 6-year-old ginseng from nationwide Jeonggwanjang contract farming households this year resulted in a record-high production volume, harvesting 780kg of ginseng per 1000㎡.

According to KGC Ginseng Corporation on the 29th, despite ongoing abnormal weather conditions such as global heatwaves, the production volume of Jeonggwanjang contract-farmed ginseng reached an all-time high. On average, 780kg of ginseng was harvested per 1000㎡. Quality improvement through research and development was cited as the main reason for the increase in production volume. Through this, KGC Ginseng Corporation explained that ginseng production has increased by 37% over the past 10 years.

KGC Ginseng Corporation began developing superior varieties in 1970, and the cumulative number of new variety applications increased by 28% over 10 years, from 18 cases in 2012 to 23 cases in 2022. Among the 40 ginseng varieties registered with the National Seed Management Office, KGC Ginseng Corporation holds a 60% market share. Ginseng cultivation facilities have also steadily advanced. Recently, KGC Ginseng Corporation developed a ‘shade facility’ capable of responding to abnormal weather. This facility blocks water leakage and ensures smooth ventilation, allowing stable ginseng cultivation even during typhoons or heatwaves.

The area of ginseng fields harvested through contract farming was 774ha (hectares), approximately 1100 times the size of an official FIFA soccer field (0.7ha).

Ginseng harvesting took place in over 1,700 contract farming households located in 72 administrative districts nationwide, from the Demilitarized Zone areas of Cheorwon, Yanggu, and Hwacheon to Haenam’s land’s end village. The administrative district with the largest harvest area was Gangwon Province. The largest contract-farmed ginseng field is in Eumseong, Chungbuk, covering an area of 8.9ha, with the length of the ridges where ginseng is planted reaching 5km.

Jeonggwanjang only harvests ginseng that passes safety inspection standards for over 430 components from the selection stage of cultivation sites, using it as raw material for high-quality red ginseng. Jeonggwanjang contract farming is a production method that benefits companies, producers, and consumers alike. Farmers can focus on ginseng cultivation without worrying about sales channels, companies benefit from receiving high-quality raw materials, and consumers can receive Jeonggwanjang products with assured safety and quality through contract-farmed ginseng.

Park Jong-gon, Head of Raw Material Business at KGC Ginseng Corporation, said, "Jeonggwanjang directly purchases high-quality ginseng from contract farms to provide consumers with products guaranteed to be of the highest quality," adding, "We will continue to strengthen partnerships with contract farms and take the lead in creating Jeonggwanjang products that are fundamentally different."

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