Gyeonggi-do Local Food Sales Soar... 111.7 Billion KRW in the First Half of This Year

Sales at local food direct stores in Gyeonggi-do increased by 31% in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year.

As consumer demand for fresh and safe agricultural products spreads, sales of local food in Gyeonggi Province are significantly increasing.

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 23rd that the sales of 83 local food direct stores in the province reached 111.7 billion KRW in the first half of this year, a 31% increase compared to 85.3 billion KRW in the first half of last year. The number of participating farms in the direct stores also rose by 9% to 17,876 farms, compared to 16,370 farms during the same period last year.

Sales of local food in Gyeonggi Province have been increasing annually, with 168.9 billion KRW in 2020, 199.3 billion KRW in 2021, and 207.9 billion KRW in 2022.

The average daily visitors to local food stores in the first half of this year also increased by 16% to 57,744, compared to 49,786 in the first half of last year. The average sales per farm also rose by 20%, from 5 million KRW to 6 million KRW during the same period.

Gyeonggi Province attributes the activation of local food to increased consumer interest and the availability of many products that satisfy consumers' desire for fresh and safe agricultural products.

To support farmers facing difficulties in agricultural management due to rising production costs and to provide residents with safe and fresh agricultural products, Gyeonggi Province is implementing various local food policies.

Key policies include supporting the establishment of local food direct stores to shorten the distance between producers and consumers. Additionally, promotional events at direct stores to raise awareness of local agricultural products and pesticide residue inspections to supply safer agricultural products to consumers are supported.

Furthermore, to ensure the continuous production of safe and fresh local food, support is provided to producers (farms) for building year-round supply systems such as vinyl greenhouses and cold storage facilities, along with education and consulting support, aiming to enhance the competitiveness of local food production and distribution in Gyeonggi Province.

Park Jong-min, Director of the Gyeonggi Province Agriculture, Fisheries and Life Sciences Bureau, stated, "Local food is significant not only for increasing agricultural income but also for providing fresh and safe agricultural products to residents. We will meet rapidly changing consumer demands to foster coexistence between urban and rural areas and create sustainable local food."

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