Gimhae is ramping up efforts to export agricultural products and promote its traditional ceramic culture internationally.
This year, Jin-Young persimmons have begun their first exports to Guam, while Gimhae City has signed a memorandum of understanding with Jingdezhen, a prominent ceramic city in China, to enhance cultural and industrial exchanges.
On October 19, Gimhae City announced the first shipment of 3.6 tons of Jin-Young persimmons from the Gyeongnam Persimmon Cooperative's distribution center in Jin-Young-eup to Guam, a U.S. territory. The shipment consists of 720 boxes, each weighing 5 kg, valued at approximately $9,800.
Following this initial shipment, persimmons harvested from orchards in Jin-Young-eup, Hanlim-myeon, and Jinrye-myeon will be sent to international markets. The harvest is expected to continue from mid-October to mid-November, with three cooperatives—Jin-Young Agricultural Cooperative, Gyeongnam Persimmon Cooperative, and Juchon Agricultural Cooperative—handling the sorting and shipping. Exports will continue into early next year, primarily targeting Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Indonesia.
Last year, Gimhae's persimmon exports totaled 1,231 tons, valued at $2.3 million. Of this, the Gyeongnam Persimmon Cooperative exported about 395 tons worth $736,000 to major Southeast Asian countries.
This year's export prices have increased compared to last year. Following discussions on October 12 between the Korea Persimmon Export Company and export buyers, the prices for 10 kg boxes were set at 23,500 won for medium-sized (M), 19,000 won for small (S), and 16,000 won for extra small (2S), each rising by 1,000 won. The price for large (L·2L) will be determined through negotiations between the cooperatives and buyers at the time of export.
Despite the commencement of exports to Guam, a decrease in production poses a challenge. Gimhae City anticipates that this year's persimmon harvest will be about 20% lower than last year due to damage from summer heatwaves, drought, and sunburn. The impact of rising export prices on farmers' incomes and the overall export volume due to reduced production will need to be assessed in the future.
A Gimhae City official stated, "We will support the expansion of exports to Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and beyond, starting with our first shipment to Guam."
Gimhae City has also established a foundation for expanding exchanges in the ceramic culture and industry with Jingdezhen in Jiangxi Province, China.
On October 19, city officials from both sides attended a signing ceremony for a cooperation agreement at the Jingdezhen City Hall. This agreement follows a visit by a Gimhae delegation to Jingdezhen in June and a visit by representatives from Jiangxi Province and Jingdezhen to Gimhae in July.
The two cities agreed to collaborate in the fields of ceramic culture, art, and industry, promoting exchanges among ceramic artists and mutual participation in international events. Gimhae plans to leverage this agreement to enhance the global recognition of its Buncheong ceramics and expand opportunities for local ceramic and craft artists to enter international markets.
The Gimhae delegation will also hold discussions with officials from the China Ceramic Culture Research Institute to prepare for a tripartite agreement among the institute, the Gimhae Ceramic Association, and the Gimhae Ceramic Small Business Support Center.
They will tour key facilities, including the Taoxichuan Ceramic Cultural Industrial Park, and attend the Taoxichuan Autumn Art Fair and the 2026 Jingdezhen International Ceramic Expo. The delegation aims to encourage local ceramic and craft artists participating in international events and assess local ceramic culture and industry trends to explore potential connections with regional industries.
Jingdezhen is a leading ceramic city in China with over 1,700 years of pottery production history. Both Gimhae and Jingdezhen share membership in the UNESCO Creative Cities of Craft and Folk Art network.
Bae Seon-young, Director of the Gimhae Cultural Tourism Bureau, stated, "We will promote practical cooperation projects to activate exchanges between the two cities and contribute to the globalization of Gimhae's Buncheong ceramics and the development of the local ceramic industry."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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