Export consultations potentially worth USD 6 million at Gulfood Exhibition 2015 Dubai 

◇ Overseas buyers consult with personnel from the Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services at Gulfood Exhibition 2015 held in the Dubai World Trade Centre ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News

The indoor vegetable hydroponic system developed and transferred to the private sector by Gyeonggi Province is gaining popularity in the Middle East.

The Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extention Services (GARES) announced on February 15 that it had participated in Gulfood Exhibition 2015 held from February 8 to 12 at the Dubai World Trade Centre in the United Arab Emirates. 

The indoor vegetable hydroponic system and processed agricultural food products such as a banana-flavored Sikhye developed by Gyeonggi Province were displayed at the exhibition, attracting the attention of overseas buyers. 

More specifically, 6 products were displayed at the exhibition including: the indoor vegetable hydroponic system (Daesan Precision), banana-flavored Sikhye (Sejun Food), Cordyceps rice (Farms Korea), rice madeleine (Sonbadak Seoninjang Agricultural Association Corporation), lotus leaf tea (Siheung Agriculture Technology Center), and mulberry leaf tea (Yangpyeong-gun Agricultural Development and Technology Center). All of the products were developed through technologies transferred by GARES and the Agricultural Technology Center.

GARES noted that its products were popular attractions during the exhibition with over 100 foreign buyers visiting GARES booths on multiple occasions. 

In particular, the indoor vegetable hydroponic system gained the attention of food and agriculture industry personnel. Local corporations, popular hotel chains, supermarkets, and farms requested quotes on hydroponic facilities potentially worth USD 6 million.

GARES’s marketing team revealed that “interest in hydroponic systems among local farmers is extremely high, and they gave our hydroponic system excellent marks.” They also noted that the “personnel involved in the distribution of agricultural produce showed great interest, enquiring in detail regarding the possibility of using the hydroponic system to produce vegetables and fruits such as strawberries.”

Jae-wook Lim, head of GARES, said, “Middle Eastern countries including the UAE import most of their vegetables and agricultural produce; they wish to eat fresh vegetables that have been grown locally”. Lim added, “We will take advantage of these local characteristics and do our utmost to export new vegetable and fruit varieties as well as their cultivation techniques along with hydroponic systems.”

GARES will follow up on these inquires to ensure its achievements at Gulfood Exhibition 2015 lead to actual exports. Furthermore, it will engage in promotions at overseas exhibitions to export new technologies and products developed in Gyeonggi Province and to encourage the consumption of agricultural products.

ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News | Jin-kyoung Kim, jinkyoungkim@kg21.net 

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201502160956222711C052&s_code=C052