"Likely to Appeal Overseas"... The Sweet Challenge of 'K-Chestnuts'

[Anchor]

Facing chronic difficulties due to an aging population and labor shortages, the chestnut industry is reorganizing its market around premium processed products such as roasted chestnuts and chestnut jelly. Analysts suggest that by highlighting the advantage of easily enjoying high-quality chestnuts without having to peel hard shells, they can succeed overseas as well.

This is a report by TJB reporter Kim Chul-jin.

[Reporter]

Brown chestnut burrs are gathered together along the hillside, and harvesting is in full swing.

Thanks to abundant sunlight and adequate rainfall, high-quality chestnuts have grown in abundance this year.

However, despite such a bountiful harvest, chestnut production has been decreasing year by year.

Domestic chestnut production, which reached 55,000 tons 10 years ago, dropped to 39,000 tons last year.

This is because chronic labor shortages caused by the aging rural population are shaking the production base.

[Cho Jwa-yeon / President, Korea Chestnut Growers Association : We face a reality where we have to shoulder about 150,000 won (daily wages for foreign workers), and chestnut-cultivating forestry households are struggling even more due to rising labor costs.]

This is why the chestnut industry is turning its eyes away from selling raw chestnuts and whole products toward processing-centered premiumization.

From seasoned roasted chestnuts made by applying various flavors to peeled chestnuts, to 'chestnut jelly' which has regained attention through a hit song.

As the consumption of processed chestnut products increases, about 40% of domestically produced chestnuts are now used as raw materials for processed foods.

Recently, the industry is moving beyond the domestic market to target overseas markets as well.

Amid the expansion of agricultural market openings such as FTAs, the plan is to inversely foster self-sustainability through the "evolution of chestnuts."

[Kang Shin-hwang / CEO, Chestnut Processed Product Company : We have introduced them by participating in food shows such as Japan's FOODEX and fairs introducing food, and we are actively discussing with convenience stores such as 7-Eleven.]

Although the export volume of processed chestnut products is only around 360 tons, accounting for about 9% of total chestnut exports, it is evaluated that there is sufficient growth potential.

Compared to foreign chestnuts, they have larger sizes, superior texture and flavor, low fat content, and are rich in potassium and dietary fiber, increasing their competitiveness as processed foods.

[Kang Kyung-shim / Professor, Department of Foodservice Industry, Gongju National University : The fat content is low, and complex polysaccharides are abundant along with dietary fiber, while the contents of vitamin C and potassium are high.]

Amid the crisis of declining production, attention is focused on whether Korean chestnuts, finding a breakthrough through processing and exports, can leap forward into a 'K-food' that captures the palates of people worldwide.

(Video reporting : Sung Nak-joong TJB, Kim Sung-soo TJB, Yoon Sang-hoon TJB)

TJB Kim Chul-jin
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.