Seogwipo Agricultural Cooperative's Topyeong Produce Distribution Center Named "No. 1" in Nationwide Fruit Hub Management Evaluation

Four Jeju Centers, Including Jungmun and Namwon, Rank Among the Top 10

Secure KRW 110 Million in National Funding and Minister's Award

Praised for Expanding Producer Shipping Groups and Diversifying Sales Channels

In the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' 2026 Comprehensive Management Evaluation of Fruit Industry Hub Agricultural Products Processing Centers (APCs), the Topyeong Produce Distribution Center of Seogwipo Agricultural Cooperative was recognized for expanding its producer shipping organizations and diversifying sales channels, taking first place nationwide and receiving the Minister's Award. Three other distribution centers in Jeju also ranked among the top 10, securing a total of KRW 110 million in national funding.

A view of the fruit-growing hub APC in Topyeong, Seogwipo. Provided by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.

According to Jeju Special Self-Governing Province on October 30, the Topyeong Center of Seogwipo Agricultural Cooperative ranked first nationwide, receiving KRW 50 million. The Saekdal Center of Jungmun Agricultural Cooperative placed sixth, receiving KRW 30 million; the Namwon Center of Jeju Namwon Agricultural Cooperative ranked eighth, receiving KRW 20 million; and the Harye Center of Jeju Wimi Agricultural Cooperative placed 10th, receiving KRW 10 million. Together, the four centers secured an additional KRW 110 million in national funding.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs conducts an annual comprehensive management evaluation of fruit industry hub APCs nationwide to strengthen the link between fruit production and distribution and improve the competitiveness of produce distribution at its source. The evaluation takes a multifaceted look at overall operations, including management performance, organization of producer groups, facility operations and utilization rates, product development, and recruitment of professional staff. It identifies areas for improvement and encourages management innovation.

The Topyeong Center of Seogwipo Agricultural Cooperative, which ranked first nationwide and received the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' Award, handled 10,754 tons of tangerines last year, generating KRW 40.9 billion in distribution revenue.

The center received high marks in particular for actively expanding producer shipping organizations, with sales through its dedicated shipping groups totaling KRW 29.8 billion, and for securing stable sales channels by diversifying distribution routes through fixed-price and negotiated transactions as well as online sales.

The national funding secured through this evaluation will be used for management assessments, professional staff training, farmer education, and agricultural product promotion to improve each center's operational efficiency and the competitiveness of produce distribution at its source.

"This is the result of the joint efforts of the agricultural cooperatives, participating farmers, and employees to organize producer groups, manage quality, and improve facility operating efficiency," said Kim Youngjun, Director of Agriculture, Livestock and Food for Jeju Province. "We will continue to develop tangerine distribution hubs at the source and strengthen distribution competitiveness to support the sustained growth of Jeju's tangerine industry."

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