Gongju City Launches Chestnut Industry Promotion Plan... Pushing for Industrialization and Globalization

To Be Incorporated into the Mid- to Long-Term Promotion Plan After Completion of the Study by December

On May 13, Gongju City in South Chungcheong Province announced that it had held a kick-off briefing session for the "Establishment of a Promotion Plan for the Gongju Chestnut Industry" on May 12 at the City Hall's Jiphyeon Room, officially launching the plan's development.

The briefing was attended by Gongju Mayor Choi Woncheol, the Gongju City Forestry Cooperative, the Chungnam Forest Resources Research Institute, the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), as well as experts and advisory committee members related to the chestnut industry. They discussed the current status and future development directions of the Gongju chestnut industry.

This project aims to re-evaluate the industrial value of Gongju chestnuts and establish a foundation for sustainable growth. The research will be completed by December, and its results will be incorporated into a mid- to long-term promotion plan to be implemented from 2026 to 2030.

Gongju chestnuts are a representative local specialty, accounting for approximately 16% of the nation's total chestnut production and recognized for their high yield and excellent quality.

However, the industry is facing challenges such as the aging of producers and insufficient infrastructure for processing and distribution, making systematic development and policy support necessary across the entire sector.

Accordingly, the city plans to comprehensively identify effective tasks, including: conducting a survey and structural analysis of the production, distribution, processing, and sales of Gongju chestnuts; analyzing domestic and international chestnut industry trends and policies; establishing strategies for the chestnut processing industry and sixth industrialization; devising ways to link with tourism and experiential industries; and strengthening brand competitiveness.

In addition, the city intends to ensure alignment with related plans from the Korea Forest Service and South Chungcheong Province, and to seek ways to secure external funding, such as through government public offerings, in order to enhance the feasibility and sustainability of the plan.

Furthermore, the city stated its intention to develop an effective plan tailored to local conditions by incorporating a wide range of opinions from field experts, producers, distributors, and related organizations.

Mayor Choi Woncheol said, "Gongju chestnuts are a symbol of our region's agriculture and a source of civic pride," adding, "Through this project, we will establish a comprehensive development strategy covering all stages from cultivation to processing, distribution, and experiential tourism, and actively promote the industrialization and globalization of Gongju chestnuts."

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