Imgeumnim Pyo Icheon Rice Exports Hit 97.6 Tons This Year, a 'Record High'... Push Into Global Markets Accelerates

Annual record since exports resumed in 2022
10 tons of newly harvested 2026 rice shipped to Australia
Export markets expand to Japan after the United States and Australia
Additional exports to North American markets, including Canada, expected

Imgeumnim Pyo Icheon Rice, one of Icheon City's signature agricultural products, recorded cumulative exports of 97.6 tons this year, achieving its highest-ever export volume. This is the largest volume since exports resumed in 2022. The rice is strengthening its competitiveness overseas by expanding its export markets from the United States and Australia to Japan.

Icheon Mayor Seong Suseok delivers remarks at a ceremony on the 16th marking the shipment of 10 tons of 2026-harvest Imgeumnimpyo Icheon Rice to Sydney, Australia, at the Hobeop Nonghyup Rice Processing Complex. Provided by Icheon City.

Icheon City said on October 16 that it would ship 10 tons of this year's newly harvested Imgeumnim Pyo Icheon Rice from the Hobeop Nonghyup Rice Processing Complex to Sydney, Australia.

This marks the fourth shipment to Australia this year, following shipments in April, June and July. In particular, the latest shipment fills one 20-foot refrigerated container with 10 tons of newly harvested rice, marking a shift from test sales toward a full-scale expansion in shipment volumes.

Imgeumnim Pyo Icheon Rice has won over consumers in Australia, selling out quickly during test sales at local stores in Sydney. This success laid the groundwork for the increase in export volume this time.

This year, the city also diversified its overseas sales channels by exporting the rice to Osaka, Japan, for the first time. With additional export requests from North American markets, including the United States and Canada, continuing to come in through the end of the year, annual export volumes are expected to rise further.

Icheon Mayor Sung Su-seok said, "This year's record export performance is the result of joint efforts by Icheon City, the Nonghyup and farmers, built on the excellent quality of Icheon rice and the competitiveness of its brand. We will expand our existing markets, including the United States and Australia, and actively pursue new markets such as Canada."

He added, "We will do our utmost to establish Imgeumnim Pyo Icheon Rice as a leading rice brand recognized in markets around the world, beyond Korea."

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