Gyeonggi rice, famous for its delicious taste, will be exported for the second time to supermarkets in New York, Chicago, L.A, and other major U.S. cities at 2,800 won/kg, which is 5~6 times more expensive than current international prices (400~600 won/kg).

Gyeonggi Province held a simple ceremony to mark the export of Gyeonggi rice, which was participated in by about 100 guests from Nonghyup, and other organizations at the RPC of Pyeongtaek Anjung Nonhyup branch on August 1st. Following the ceremony 20 tons (250 sacks weighing 80 kg each) of Gyeonggi Rice were shipped to the United States.

This export has contributed greatly to securing an adequate income for farming households, as rising prices have made it difficult to secure enough high-quality rice for export after Gyeonggi rices, including rice produced in Pyeongtaek, Icheon, and Yeoju, have become popular.

When the SUPER ONING Rice, produced in Anjung-myeon, Pyeongtaek City and exported to the United States through Busan Port on June 14 at an average price of 5,000 won/kg (6 times the price of Calrose rise of the United States) was sold out in no time, 2 representatives including Lim Chang-yun, CEO of Pacific Giant, the U.S. buyer, made a visit to Gyeonggi Province and expressed their will to continuously import Gyeonggi rice, renewing their contract for rice import on July 21.

Gyeonggi Province is currently in negotiations with its counterparts to export rice to other countries, including the United States, Russia, Switzerland, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia, the world’s largest importer of rice, targeting Koreans abroad and the upper class.

In addition, the Province is in consultation with foreign buyers, with the goal of exporting 200 tons of rice in the latter half of this year, 500 tons in 2008, and 1,000 tons in 2009.

Agriculture Product Distribution Department 82-31-249-2620