Ulju County in Ulsan, South Korea, has sent the Ulju Pear Promotion and Sales Team to the United States to expand its presence in the North American market and reach local consumers.
The county announced on November 5 that from October 29 to November 6, the team carried out promotional activities and business meetings in Los Angeles and Hawaii to promote Ulju Pears and increase export volumes. The initiative aims to maintain and develop export channels amid growing challenges, including U.S. tariffs on Chinese products and tighter import safety inspections.
Producers of Ulju Pears participated directly in the visit to study local consumer preferences, strengthen ties with existing partners, and explore opportunities in new markets. The delegation also assessed consumer responses to the first shipment of the new Greensis variety and examined its potential for future exports.
Between October 30 and November 4 (local time), tasting and promotional events were held at major retail outlets, including H Mart Buena Park, Seafood Market, and Don Quijote in Hawaii. The Greensis variety was noted for its aroma and crisp texture, leading to discussions about additional supply to the Hawaiian market.
The team also visited the Los Angeles branch of the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), NH Trading's local subsidiary, and other distribution partners to discuss strategies for managing U.S. tariffs, responding to increased market competition from Chinese pears, and understanding local distribution trends. Meetings were also held with buyers from Seoul Trading's Los Angeles branch to explore ways of expanding into the broader North American and Canadian markets.
An Ulju County official said, "Through this year's Ulju Pear export promotion activities, we secured the supply of 420 tons (approximately US$1.7 million) and established a stable sales channel in the Hawaiian market. In particular, the strong response to the new Greensis variety motivates us to further strengthen the competitiveness and brand value of Ulju Pears by diversifying our varieties."
Source: Asia Business Daily
