'Opening a New Era of Agricultural Exports'... Pohang City Presents Vision to Achieve 50 Billion Won in Exports by 2035

Pohang City has set forth a long-term vision to achieve 50 billion won in agri-food exports by 2035, starting this year as a milestone.

Since 2021, the city has achieved outstanding results for four consecutive years in the 'Gyeongbuk Province Export Policy Excellence Evaluation for Cities and Counties,' and this year, for the first time, it received the grand prize.

This accomplishment is the result of a consistent export strategy and administrative execution, positioning Pohang City as a benchmark model for agri-food export administration.

Pohang's agri-food exports, which amounted to only 3.4 billion won in 2018, surged to 8.9 billion won as of August 2025. The export market, which was previously limited to Japan, the United States, and Canada, has now expanded to 22 countries, with a notable increase in the export of fresh agricultural products.

Agri-food products from Pohang have now established themselves as a competitive K-Food brand in the global market. The range of export items has diversified from just two-rice and tomatoes-to 18, including strawberries, grapes, persimmons, napa cabbage, spinach, and chives.

'Dasom Rice' from Cheongha and Heunghae regions has grown into a leading brand in the Dubai market in the Middle East. Traditional snacks, soy sauce, fermented mulhoe, fermented gwamegi, potato bread, and sweet potato bread are gaining popularity as representative K-Food products from Pohang in the United States and Canada, while strawberries, spinach, and chives have captivated consumers in Hong Kong.

Additionally, herbal fermented tea has entered the European market, including France and Denmark, accelerating the global expansion of Pohang's specialty agricultural products.

Pohang City has selected strawberries as a strategic item and is focusing on its intensive development. While Gyeongbuk Province accounts for 15.6% of the nation's strawberry production, its export share is only 1.7%. In response, Pohang has been designated as one of the three major strawberry export-specialized pilot complexes in Gyeongbuk, along with Sangju and Goryeong, and is carrying out projects to establish an export base, such as training on cultivation techniques for new export varieties and setting up sorting facilities.

The city aims to achieve 5 billion won in strawberry exports within five years, starting with its first shipment of 30 tons in November this year.

To address production instability caused by climate change, Pohang City is working on developing varieties resistant to high temperatures, drought, and pests. The city is expanding water-saving farming methods such as drip and sprinkler irrigation and mulching, and supporting the cultivation of new high-value-added crops such as Asian napa cabbage, kale, celery, and herbs.

Furthermore, by expanding eco-friendly certifications and establishing a sustainable production system, the city plans to strengthen the competitiveness of farmers and small businesses and enhance the brand value of Pohang's specialty agricultural products in the global market.

To raise the profile of key local products, the city is strengthening field-oriented overseas marketing, such as inviting buyers for export consultations and conducting local promotional and sales activities.

In addition, Pohang is promoting the construction of an integrated export logistics center to improve export efficiency. This center is expected to serve as a key infrastructure for increasing exports of local specialty products and revitalizing Yeongilman Port. The city is working in cooperation with Gyeongbuk Province and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to secure national and provincial funding.

A Pohang City official stated, "We will continue to provide support to expand agricultural exports and improve quality," adding, "We will focus our administrative capacity on achieving 50 billion won in agri-food exports by 2035."

Pohang City Hall.

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