CHANGWON — South Gyeongsang Province said on the 16th that it will sell Changwon sweet persimmons at discounts of up to 20% at 28 large retail stores in the greater Seoul area through Nov. 2. The special sales event is timed to the peak shipping season and aims to boost consumption in the capital region, widening sales channels for farmers.
The event, called Greater Seoul Changwon Sweet Persimmon Brand Week, is being jointly organized by the provincial government, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation's South Gyeongsang branch and the city of Changwon. It is split into two rounds. The first runs through the 18th at 13 stores, including Hanaro Mart's Yangjae and Seongnam outlets and Lotte Mart's Jamsil store. The second runs from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 at 15 stores, including E-Mart's Wolgye, Yeoksam and Suwon outlets.
During the event, the stores will offer discounts of up to 20% along with tasting events and dedicated display stands.
Buk-Changwon Agricultural Cooperative and Dong-eup Agricultural Cooperative will supply about 35 tons of Changwon sweet persimmons. The event will also feature displays and promotion of Iroro, South Gyeongsang Province's joint brand for agricultural products.
Changwon sweet persimmons were registered as Geographical Indication No. 117 in June last year. South Gyeongsang is the country's largest producer of sweet persimmons, and Changwon accounts for about 32% of the province's output.
"We hope this special sales event will introduce Changwon sweet persimmons to consumers in the greater Seoul area and help farmers expand their sales channels," said Kim Yong-deok, head of the provincial government's agricultural and food distribution division. "We will continue to strengthen cooperation with major retailers to expand consumption of South Gyeongsang agricultural products and work to raise farmers' incomes."