Provincial News Wando to export abalone to US

By Park Si-soo

Abalones harvested from waters off Wando. / Korea Times file

South Korea’s small island of Wando has struck a deal to export abalones harvested from its waters to the United States.

The deal was made with retail chain H-Mart, island officials said Sunday. Wando will export abalone worth $2 million to H-Mart, which has 50 outlets across the U.S.

Wando Governor Shin Woo-chul is in the U.S. to meet retailers interested in buying the island’s abalone.

Earlier, the governor visited Zion Market in Orange County, California, to monitor consumers’ opinions on the products. Zion has sold Wando’s abalone since April.

Shin will also host events there to promote Wando and its seafood products.

“I hope this event will help us find more retailers interested in importing Wando’s seafood products,” Shin said.