Expanding cactus market with new species and technology
– Adding value with new cactus species and new products and penetrating the cactus market inside and outside of Korea – 

Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research & Extension Service (GARES director: Kim, Yeong-ho) has developed a complete set of new cactus species that are cultivated by an energy tray technology. This new product is forecasted to bring a sensation to the cactus market in and out of Korea.

The cactus cultivation area in Gyeonggi-do is about 62.1 ha which takes up 86% of the whole cactus farming land nationwide. Cactus export in 2006 has induced USD 2.13 million that occupies 70% of the grafted cactus distribution in the world. 

Before Gyeonggi cactuses became the world’s top cactus brand, a series of research and development were conducted to cultivate new cactus species that will boost competitiveness in the international market. Starting from the development of new species and up to surveying of opinions from consumers, farmers, exporters and foreign buyers, the Gyeonggi government has carefully selected cactus species that are now favored by cactus lovers in main export regions like American and Europe.

GARES has developed 4 species of Bemoran (Gymnocalcium mihanovichii), 1 Sanchwi (Chamaecereus silvestrii), 1 Sojeong, 2 Robibia, and 2 Kkotgirin cactuses and registered them as fostering species at the Rural Development Administration. Among these new species, the Bemoran (Gymnocalcium mihanovichii) and Sanchwi cactuses were submitted as preservation species at the National Seed Management Office (NSMO). These species will be tested for adaptation this year and then be distributed to members of the Cactus Research Group.

In addition to these new cactus species, Gyeonggi-do has also developed an energy tray that will help reduce and prevent roots from rotting. These special trays will be distributed to all cactus farms that export cactuses for a stable mass production base and enhance international competitiveness.

Distribution method of grated cactuses is also being improved by the development of a plug tray that uses artificial soil. This helped establish a technical system for a fair production of the complete set of new cactus species.
An official from the GARES remarked, “New products like the Magic Cactus and Mini Cactus will pioneer the international cactus market and expand domestic exportation. Annual cactus exportation of about USD 2 million is expected to jump 5 times until 2015. We are looking forward to the USD 10 million export.”