Hongcheon processed agricultural specialty foods sell out in LA for second straight year, generating 120 million won in sales

【Financial News | Hongcheon = Kim Gi-seop】Traditional fermented sauces, shiitake mushroom chips and omija syrup made in Hongcheon filled the shopping baskets of Korean American consumers in Los Angeles, continuing a sellout streak for the second consecutive year.
According to Hongcheon County on the 7th, five companies from the area took part in the 53rd LA Korean Festival, held at Seoul International Park in Los Angeles from the 1st to the 4th, and sold all the goods they had prepared. Sales totaled $88,750, or about 120 million won.
Building on the success of three companies that participated last year and sold all their products, worth about 50 million won, the county increased the number of participating companies to five this year. Drawing on the first year’s experience, the companies put together a more diverse product lineup. As a result, all participating companies sold out despite the larger scale, and sales exceeded twice last year’s total.
On offer were traditional fermented sauces from Baekidonggol; sesame and perilla oils from Hongcheon Namsan Foods; omija syrup from Dals Farm; shiitake mushroom and ginseng chips from Girine; and bite-sized gangjeong sweets from Byeolttang Hangwa Haru Gyeongwa. Traditional foods made with time-honored culinary craftsmanship were displayed alongside easy-to-grab snacks, introducing local consumers to the flavors of Hongcheon.
The significance of this achievement is that processed foods made from the region’s agricultural specialties led to actual purchases overseas. The participating companies promoted and sold their products directly, gaining insight into U.S. consumer demand and confirming the potential to expand their overseas sales channels. The county plans to incorporate the results of this participation and feedback from the companies into its overseas marketing support programs and continue supporting local businesses as they enter overseas markets.
A Hongcheon County official said, “Although we increased the number of participating companies from three to five, every company sold all the goods it had prepared. This reaffirmed that Hongcheon products can also find buyers overseas.” The official added, “We will develop support measures tailored to each company’s needs so that the response from U.S. consumers we experienced on site does not end with a one-time sale but leads to steady exports.”

[email protected] Kim Gi-seop Reporter