○ 18 award winners selected; Grand Prize went to Pocheon City’s Kang Hyo-jung for apples and Yangpyeong County’s Ahn Kyeong-bok for pears
○ Exhibitions and baking competitions for new fruit varieties to lay foundation for development of Gyeonggi Province’s fruit industry

The Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services (GARES) announced on November 20 that it hosted the “Apple and Pear Show” and “Fruit Baking Contest” to promote superior regional products on November 17 to 18 at the GARES Agricultural Science Education Hall.

GARES hosts fruit shows and exhibitions each year to improve the quality of locally produced fruits and promote local consumption. With the Korea Bakery Association as co-host, 10 master bakers and confectioners participated in this year’s apple and pear show and baking contest to showcase various fruit-based baked goods and promote fruit consumption.

Participating in the event were 76 members of the Gyeonggi Apple and Pear Research Association (39 apple researchers and 37 pear researchers) as well as various experts including Rural Development Administration research officers, professors, auctioneers, and the Gyeonggi Apple and Pear Research Association Chairperson who served as judges to evaluate the sweetness, taste, texture, color, and granularity of each fruit type.

After undergoing a screening process, 18 exemplary fruits were selected as winners of the Governor’s Prize and the Chairman’s Prize. The Grand Prize went to Pocheon City’s Kang Hyo-jung for apples and Yangpyeong County’s Ahn Kyeong-bok for pears. The fruits submitted to the event will be delivered to social welfare facilities in the cities of Suwon and Yongin.

GARES Director Kim Seok-cheol said, “Although farmers faced numerous challenges due to poor weather conditions this year, they joined the show with high-quality fruits. We intend to hold the event every year to increase the competitiveness of farmers in Gyeonggi Province.”