Jeju's New Tangor Varieties Expand 26-Fold in Four Years as Agricultural Research Service Seeks to Broaden Online Sales Channels

[Financial News, Jeju = Reporter Jung Yong-bok] The cultivation area for new tangor varieties developed in Jeju Province has increased more than 26-fold in four years, making it urgent to secure sales channels that can keep pace with production growth. The Jeju Agricultural Research and Extension Services plans to widen distribution outlets by using online wholesale markets and local sales platforms while maintaining the current price advantage.
According to the Jeju Agricultural Research and Extension Services on the 31st, the cultivation area for Jeju-bred tangor varieties expanded from 2.6 hectares in 2022 to 20.1 hectares in 2024, and then to 68.9 hectares this year. That is a 26.5-fold increase in four years.
Production is also rising quickly. In 2024, 15 farms growing four varieties produced 21.4 tons, but last year 38 farms growing the same four varieties produced 96 tons. In just one year, output increased about 4.5 times and participating farms grew 2.5 times.
Market response has been favorable so far. The average shipping price for Jeju-bred tangor varieties has ranged from 6,500 won to 10,000 won per kilogram, or 1.3 to 2.6 times the level of existing tangor varieties such as Hallabong, Redhyang and Cheonhyehyang shipped during the same period, for two consecutive years.
The agency said this pricing has been supported by the varieties' quality traits, including sugar content above 13 Brix and acidity below 1 percent, as well as a distribution strategy that sets shipping destinations by variety and combines online sales with department store channels.
The key challenge ahead is to grow the market without letting expanded production trigger a price decline. As cultivation area approaches 70 hectares, it has become more important to secure new sales channels that can steadily absorb shipment volumes rather than relying only on direct farm sales or existing distribution networks.
To that end, the agency will hold an online sales strategy workshop on Sept. 8 at 1:30 p.m. in the main auditorium of the Agricultural Research and Extension Services, with about 100 participants including Jeju-bred tangor growers and shipping company officials.
At the workshop, the Rural Development Administration (RDA) will explain citrus distribution trends and sales strategies, while participants will share examples of using e-Jeju, the online wholesale market and Seogwipo City's SeogwipoInjeong platform.
The discussion will focus in particular on expanding sales routes beyond direct online retail to include online wholesale markets. The goal is to build a distribution structure that combines direct sales, local platforms and wholesale markets in response to rising production.
For Jeju-bred varieties to establish a stable foothold in the market, cultivation expansion alone will not be enough. Proper shipment management, quality control and stronger consumer awareness must also be achieved. Whether the early high prices can be sustained even as production rises is expected to be a key indicator of future market stability.
Kim Tae-gyun, head of the Jeju Agricultural Research and Extension Services, said, "We have confirmed the market potential of Jeju-bred tangor varieties through variety-specific shipping strategies." He added, "We will help farmers use a variety of sales channels so the products can establish themselves in the market more stably."


[email protected] Reporter Jung Yong-bok Reporter