Andong Embraces Value Over Appearance...Expanding Market Channels for "Ugly" Produce

Ordinance Proposed by Haesook Kwon Passed as Originally Submitted
Systematizing Support for Distribution, Processing, and Logistics

A legal foundation has been established in Andong, North Gyeongsang, to support the distribution and market expansion of so-called "ugly agricultural products"—those that do not receive normal prices due to reasons such as their appearance, shape, or size.

The Andong City Council announced on September 11 that the "Andong City Ordinance to Support Activation of the Distribution of Ugly Agricultural Products," sponsored by Assemblywoman Haesook Kwon (Proportional Representative, Democratic Party of Korea), has been passed as originally proposed.

Assemblywoman Haesook Kwon (Proportional Representation, Democratic Party of Korea) [Photo by Andong City Council]

The ordinance defines ugly agricultural products as farm goods that, despite having no signs of spoilage, decay, or pest damage, and posing no issues for consumption, cannot fetch standard prices because their size, shape, or color are uneven or there are visual defects.

The main support measures include the establishment and listing on e-commerce and distribution platforms, education in promotion and marketing, development and production of exclusive brands and packaging, installation of transportation and logistics distribution centers, development of processed agricultural products, and safety inspections.

The purpose of the ordinance is to broaden the market for agricultural products that may be undervalued or discarded during distribution due to lower marketability, thereby increasing farmers’ income and improving distribution efficiency.

Assemblywoman Kwon stated, "We must address the issue of agricultural products being undervalued or discarded solely because of differences in shape, size, or color," and added, "It is necessary to secure various distribution and sales channels to connect these products to new sources of income for farmers."

In addition to Assemblywoman Kwon, Chi Sun Park, Saerom Kim, Kyungdo Kim, and Cheolhyun Kim participated as co-sponsors of this ordinance.

Now is the time to shift distribution practices towards evaluating agricultural products based on quality and usability rather than external appearance. This ordinance is significant in that it connects agricultural products that may have been discarded to new sources of income. However, for the system to truly enhance farm income, stable sales channels and the establishment of processing and distribution systems must follow.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.