Korea to bolster exports of food, specialty crops
Candied sweet potato / Courtesy of Rural Development AdministrationSweet potatoes, barley, Korean ginseng and mushrooms gaining traction as export growth driversBy Lee Kyung-minThe government will foster the growth of food crops and specialty crops through the continued development and mass production of high-quality, naturally grown produce. This is an area that has gained traction among global consumers, who are increasingly mindful of the long-term benefits of healthy eating, an agriculture ministry-affiliated research institute said Sunday.The Rural Development Administration (RDA) said that food crops are defined as staples as they have helped us survive for centuries. Special crops are cultivated mostly for market sales. Chief among the food crops are sweet potatoes and three colored barleys, whereas specialty crops include Korean ginseng and mushrooms.Korea-produced sweet potatoes are emerging as a favorite healthy nutritional snack at home and abroad as evidenced by the seven-fold increase in exports from 49 tons in 2013 to 386 tons in 2023. Hong Kong and Singapore are two ma
