Naju Rice 'Saechungmu' Opens First Export Gate to New Zealand

Naju rice 'Saechungmu,' known for its excellent taste and cultivated in the fertile lands winding along the Yeongsan River, has embarked on its first export journey to New Zealand.

The total volume of this Saechungmu export contract is 140 tons, marking a double celebration of pioneering a new market and achieving the largest export record to date.

Naju City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Yoon Byung-tae) announced on the 18th that on the 16th, a loading ceremony for the first export of Saechungmu to New Zealand was held at the Naju City Integrated RPC located in Donggang-myeon.

Saechungmu rice is a domestically developed variety by the Jeollanam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, selectively combining the strengths of Saenuri rice, which is resistant to diseases and lodging, and Cheongmu rice, known for its good texture.

It is characterized by its chewy glutinous texture and increasing sweetness the more it is chewed, resulting in excellent taste. The grains are about 1.3 times larger than regular rice, and its lower moisture content provides a pleasantly firm chew.

The Saechungmu rice shipped on this day amounts to 20 tons and will be continuously supplied to Korean and Chinese supermarkets in New Zealand over seven shipments throughout the coming year.

The loading ceremony was attended by about 15 people, including Naju Mayor Yoon Byung-tae, City Council Chairman Lee Sang-man, National Assembly member Shin Jeong-hoon, former National Assembly member Son Geum-ju, Naju Integrated RPC representative Lim Bong-ui, Jeonnam Province International Cooperation Officer Shin Hyun-gon, Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation Export Food Director Kwon Oh-yeop, Nonghyup Central Association Naju Branch Manager Shin Kyung-hoon, and local Nonghyup cooperative heads.

The Naju Integrated RPC opened last year after being selected for a 20.9 billion KRW high-quality distribution activation support project. It produces carefully selected high-quality rice using state-of-the-art facilities, including modernized processing equipment and paddy drying and storage facilities.

Notably, the 'Wanggeoni Tamnaen Rice' milled here was selected as one of Jeollanam-do's top 10 high-quality brand rices last year.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae of Naju said, "I am grateful for the valuable efforts of farmers and corporate officials who worked together to secure sales channels so that high-quality rice production and Naju rice can expand globally." He added, "We will strive for active marketing to ensure that Naju rice leads the revival of the shrinking domestic rice industry and becomes a premium brand rice recognized overseas."

Meanwhile, Naju City aims to expand its export market to Australia, a neighboring country, through active promotional marketing using New Zealand as a foothold.

Previously, the city focused on pioneering new markets and diversifying exports of local agricultural products by promoting overseas agricultural and fishery product sales events in three countries?United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Vietnam?last year, signing export agreements (MOUs) worth 9 million USD.

This year, overseas promotional events for agricultural and fishery products are planned for New Zealand and Australia in May, and Canada in September.

Naju = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yuk-bong baekok@asiae.co.kr

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